The Okavango Delta

Discover the unique circumstances that led to the formation of the Okavango Delta and what to expect from this phenomenal ecological oasis.

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Okavango Delta

An oasis of life

The sprawling Okavango Delta is a lush wetland in northern Botswana, sometimes called ‘The Jewel of the Kalahari’. Known as one of the largest marshlands in the world, this unexpected oasis of life is home to more than 700 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. The Okavango Delta is a seasonal swamp, fuelled by rainwater from Angola’s verdant highlands and surrounded by one of the most arid deserts on earth. The Delta’s unique position in the expansive Kalahari Desert makes it a true natural wonder.

Discover lIfe on the Delta

A geological phenomenon

The glittering waters of the Okavango are at their highest during the dry season. Most of the water that floods the Okavango Delta each year comes from the Angolan Highlands, travelling over 1,700km to reach the Okavango’s unique geological space. The Delta sits in a tectonic trough, formed 50,000 years ago when an earthquake in Southern Africa shifted the earth’s plates. Where the Angolan floodwater used to flow through Botswana, it now finds it home in this remarkable plain.

Climate and location

Seasonal shifts

In the wilds of Southern Africa, the seasons track in roughly six-month periods of ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ seasons. In the Okavango Delta, the dry season runs from May to October, and the wet season from November to April.

While you might think that the wet season would be the best time to take to the waters, the water levels are actually at their lowest during this period; the floodwater that creates the Delta’s deep channels takes up to six months to reach the area from the Angolan Highlands.

This unconventional climate creates a unique combination of flooded plains and dry, dusty islands. Each year, when the deluge of floodwater reaches the Okavango, the wetland doubles in size.

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Explore the Wildlife on the Delta

Common sightings

We are very lucky at Xigera to see a huge variety of animals on our water and land-based safari game drives. On the waters of the Okavango Delta, you’ll likely spot hippos and a huge variety of birdlife. From the land, you’ll have a chance of spotting antelope, warthogs, elephants, zebras, lions, monkeys, cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, buffalos, hyenas, kudu, lechwe, impala, ostriches and more.

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Exploring the Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta’s remarkable terrain includes marshland, deep watery channels, open plains and tall grasses. You’ll find that you’ll get more from land excursions versus water excursions depending on the season. When the water is high during the dry season, you’ll love our water-based excursions - involving mokoros, motorboats and double-decker boats. These excursions are unavailable during the wet season due to low water levels. Our land-based safaris can be enjoyed in the comfort of our custom-built 4x4 safari vehicles or on foot on a thrilling walking safari.

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Solar panels on the Okavango Delta surrounded by bush and trees

Our place within the ecosystem

The Okavango Delta is a delicate ecosystem, and while it may seem steadfast and stable, it requires constant protection to safeguard it for future generations. We’re committed to creating a positive impact on the people we meet and communities we inhabit, protecting wildlife and caring for the planet we call home.

Our commitment to sustainability

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The Okavango Delta on screen

If you’d like to learn more about the Okavango Delta and its unique ecosystem, there are countless nature documentaries featuring this miraculous habitat. We recommend watching BBC Two’s Earth's Greatest Spectacles (Okavango), BBC One’s Nature's Great Events (The Great Flood), BBC Two’s Hippos: Africa’s River Giants, Walking with Elephants, Into the Okavango, and National Geographic’s The Flood.