Okavango Delta

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Okavango Delta is a vast inland delta formed by the Okavango River, creating a unique wetland ecosystem in the heart of...

Okavango Delta at a Glance

Location
Okavango Delta & Moremi, Botswana, Southern Africa
Coordinates
-19.153980, 22.785835
Crowds
Very Quiet
Malaria Risk
Low
Best Time to Visit
May to October (dry season) for the Okavango Delta floods and wildlife. November to March for birding and green season rates.

Getting to Okavango Delta

Nearest airport: Mombo Airstrip, 6 km away.

Big Five in Okavango Delta

4 of the Big Five can be found here: Lion, Leopard, African Buffalo, Leopard Tortoise.

Weather & Climate in Okavango Delta

The warmest temperatures in Okavango Delta occur in October, averaging 28.8°C (up to 36.5°C). The coolest conditions are in July at 17.7°C.

The driest weather conditions are typically in May with average rainfall of 0.0mm. Average humidity: 34.7%.

Monthly Temperatures

  • January: 24.3°C (rainfall: 166.8mm)
  • February: 25.4°C (rainfall: 80.0mm)
  • March: 24.6°C (rainfall: 77.6mm)
  • April: 23.4°C (rainfall: 11.7mm)
  • May: 20.8°C (rainfall: 0.0mm)
  • June: 18.0°C (rainfall: 0.5mm)
  • July: 17.7°C (rainfall: 0.0mm)
  • August: 21.7°C (rainfall: 0.0mm)
  • September: 26.2°C (rainfall: 0.0mm)
  • October: 28.8°C (rainfall: 2.4mm)
  • November: 28.3°C (rainfall: 34.2mm)
  • December: 26.4°C (rainfall: 111.7mm)

Best Time to Visit Okavango Delta

The best months to visit Okavango Delta are April, May, August, based on temperature, rainfall, weather conditions, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Month-by-Month Safari Conditions

  • January: Good, temperature 24.29°C, rainfall 166.8mm, sunshine 10.6 hrs, humidity 70.6%
  • February: Great, temperature 25.43°C, rainfall 80mm, sunshine 11.2 hrs, humidity 62.3%
  • March: Great, temperature 24.59°C, rainfall 77.6mm, sunshine 10.6 hrs, humidity 62.6%
  • April: Great, temperature 23.41°C, rainfall 11.7mm, sunshine 10.7 hrs, humidity 50.6%
  • May: Great, temperature 20.84°C, rainfall 0mm, sunshine 10.9 hrs, humidity 34.7%
  • June: Great, temperature 17.96°C, rainfall 0.5mm, sunshine 10.8 hrs, humidity 35.2%
  • July: Great, temperature 17.73°C, rainfall 0mm, sunshine 10.8 hrs, humidity 30.9%
  • August: Great, temperature 21.7°C, rainfall 0mm, sunshine 11 hrs, humidity 24.8%
  • September: Great, temperature 26.16°C, rainfall 0mm, sunshine 11.1 hrs, humidity 22.1%
  • October: Great, temperature 28.8°C, rainfall 2.4mm, sunshine 11.6 hrs, humidity 24.6%
  • November: Great, temperature 28.27°C, rainfall 34.2mm, sunshine 11.6 hrs, humidity 42.4%
  • December: Great, temperature 26.35°C, rainfall 111.7mm, sunshine 11.2 hrs, humidity 58.2%

Wildlife in Okavango Delta

Home to 131 recorded species including 44 waterbirds, 31 birds of prey, 29 iconic birds, 5 big herbivores, 5 antelope & gazelle, 4 big five.

Recommended Packing List for Okavango Delta

Based on average temperature of 23.8°C, typical conditions, humidity 43%.

  • Light layers - comfortable for 24°C weather
  • Binoculars - essential for every game drive
  • Sun hat & sunscreen - protection from the African sun
  • Sturdy walking shoes - for bush walks and uneven terrain
  • Neutral-coloured clothing - khaki, olive, and tan blend with the bush
  • Insect repellent - essential in most safari regions
  • First aid kit - basic medical supplies for remote areas
  • Torch / headlamp - useful for evenings at camp
  • Camera with telephoto lens - capture your safari memories

Notable Species

Safari Lodges in Okavango Delta

2 safari lodges available.

Other

Similar Parks in Okavango Delta & Moremi

Visitor Tips - Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta is a place where water breathes life into the desert, creating an unparalleled wetland paradise. We love the serene mokoro trips, gliding silently through lily-pad-filled channels, offering an intimate perspective on its incredible birdlife and smaller creatures. It's a truly immersive experience that feels both wild and deeply peaceful.

Gate Times

Access to the Okavango Delta is primarily via light aircraft to private concession airstrips or designated entry points for Moremi Game Reserve. We recommend booking your entire safari package, including flights and lodge stays, well in advance, as availability is limited. Permits for Moremi are typically arranged by your safari operator, while private concessions manage their own access. There are no fixed 'gate times' in the traditional sense, but daily activities are scheduled around sunrise and sunset, maximizing wildlife viewing opportunities.

Tipping

Tipping is customary and a valued way to show appreciation for excellent service. We recommend budgeting around $10-20 USD per guest, per day, for your safari guide, given their extensive knowledge and dedication. For general camp staff (allocated to a communal tip box), $5-10 USD per guest, per day, is appropriate. You can tip your guide directly at the end of your stay, and camp staff via a central box. Always tip in local currency (Botswana Pula) or US dollars, and do so discreetly.

Health & Travel Info

Health & vaccination info for Botswana

Travel advisory for Botswana

Okavango Delta FAQs

What is the best time of year to visit the Okavango Delta for wildlife viewing and water activities?

The dry season, from May to October, is generally considered optimal as the Delta's floodwaters are at their highest, concentrating wildlife around permanent water sources and offering prime mokoro and boat safari opportunities. While the green season (November to April) brings lush landscapes and migratory birds, wildlife viewing can be more dispersed due to abundant water and vegetation.

What unique safari activities can I expect in the Okavango Delta that differ from other safari destinations?

The Okavango Delta is renowned for its water-based safaris, primarily serene mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) excursions and motorized boat safaris, allowing for unique perspectives of aquatic wildlife and birds. Many camps also offer traditional game drives on dry islands and walking safaris, providing a diverse and immersive experience that blends land and water exploration.

Why is an Okavango Delta safari often considered more expensive than safaris in other African regions?

The higher cost of an Okavango Delta safari is largely due to its remote location, requiring light aircraft transfers to exclusive, low-impact camps, and the high standard of guiding and accommodation. This commitment to low-volume, high-value tourism ensures a truly uncrowded and intimate wilderness experience, preserving the delicate ecosystem.

Beyond elephants, what specific and unique wildlife species can I hope to encounter in the Okavango Delta?

The Delta is particularly famous for its healthy populations of red lechwe and sitatunga, two semi-aquatic antelope species perfectly adapted to the wetland environment, which are a highlight for many visitors. You also have excellent chances of spotting elusive predators like African wild dogs and leopards, often seen around the floodplains and dense vegetation.

How safe are the water-based activities like mokoro safaris, given the presence of large wildlife?

Mokoro safaris are very safe when conducted with experienced, licensed polers who are intimately familiar with the Delta's waterways and wildlife behavior. Guides prioritize your safety, ensuring a respectful distance is maintained from potentially dangerous animals like hippos and crocodiles, allowing for a peaceful and immersive experience of the Delta's beauty.

Recommended Books

  • The Handbook of Bird Photography by Markus Varesvuo, Jari Peltomäki & Bence Máté - Excellent for birding photographers on safari - covers technique, equipment, fieldcraft, and post-processing with stunning example images.
  • Photographing Wildlife in Africa by Paolo Torchio - Practical guide specifically for African safari photography - camera settings, lens choices, composition techniques, and how to make the most of game drives.
  • Fodor's The Complete Guide to African Safaris by Fodor's Travel - Country-by-country planning guide with lodge reviews, practical logistics, packing lists, and insider tips. Often cited as the best all-in-one safari planning resource.
  • Lonely Planet Botswana & Namibia by Lonely Planet - Covers the Okavango Delta, Chobe, Etosha, Sossusvlei, and the Skeleton Coast. Essential for self-drive safaris through two of southern Africa's wildest destinations.
  • Lonely Planet Zambia & Mozambique by Lonely Planet - From Victoria Falls and South Luangwa to Mozambique's pristine coastline. Practical advice for two of Africa's most rewarding off-the-beaten-path destinations.
  • National Geographic Kids: Safari by National Geographic - Age-appropriate wildlife facts with stunning photographs. Great for getting children excited about the animals they'll see on safari.
  • Bradt Guide: Botswana by Chris McIntyre - Gold standard for Okavango Delta and Chobe planning - self-drive routes, camp reviews, and detailed maps. Essential for anyone planning a Botswana safari.
  • Lonely Planet Southern Africa by Lonely Planet - Covers South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. Practical planning information with detailed park and city guides.
  • The Last Elephants by Don Pinnock & Colin Bell - Conservation-focused book combining beautiful photography with urgent storytelling about the threats facing Africa's elephant populations.
  • Here Is the African Savanna by Madeleine Dunphy - Beautifully illustrated picture book about the savanna ecosystem. Teaches children about the interconnected web of life on an African plain.
  • Safari: A Photographic Journey by Art Wolfe - Large-format coffee-table book from one of the world's most celebrated nature photographers. Stunning images from across the African continent.
  • The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals by Jonathan Kingdon - The definitive mammal field guide for Africa covering over 1,150 species with detailed illustrations. Considered the gold standard for safari-goers and researchers alike.
  • The Behavior Guide to African Mammals by Richard Despard Estes - Goes beyond identification to explain why animals behave as they do. Essential reading for safari-goers who want to understand the wildlife they observe.
  • Roberts Bird Guide by Hugh Chittenden, Greg Davies & Ingrid Weiersbye - Comprehensive southern African bird guide covering 960+ species with detailed range maps and illustrations. The birder's bible for safaris in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia.
  • Cry of the Kalahari by Mark & Delia Owens - Riveting account of wildlife research in Botswana's Central Kalahari. An adventurous tale of two young researchers living among the wild animals.
  • Remembering Lions by Various Photographers - Part of the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife conservation book series. Features contributions from world-class wildlife photographers, with proceeds supporting lion conservation.
  • African Animals ABC by Stella Blackstone & Petr Horacek - Simple alphabet book with bold, colourful animal illustrations. Perfect for toddlers and young children preparing for their first safari. Ages 2–5.
  • Beat About the Bush: Mammals by Trevor Carnaby - The single best book for understanding animal behaviour on safari. Explains why animals do what they do - feeding, mating, territory, predator-prey dynamics. Makes every game drive infinitely more rewarding.
  • Sasol Birds of Southern Africa by Ian Sinclair, Phil Hockey & Warwick Tarboton - The southern Africa birding bible. Covers over 950 species with detailed illustrations, distribution maps, and habitat notes. The most trusted bird field guide for South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique.
  • Africa's Top Wildlife Countries by Mark W. Nolting - The most respected safari planning book in print. Detailed country-by-country guide covering parks, lodges, best times to visit, and what wildlife to expect. Updated regularly. The first book every safari planner should read.
  • The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals by Richard D. Estes - Part field guide, part planning tool. Explains mammal behaviour in a way that transforms game drives. Covers tracks, signs, social structures, and habitat preferences. A must-pack for serious safari-goers.
  • The Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuscinski - Widely considered the greatest book ever written about Africa. Kapuscinski spent 40 years reporting from across the continent. Vivid, poetic, and deeply insightful. Essential pre-safari reading for understanding the continent.
  • Elephant Company by Vicki Constantine Croke - The extraordinary true story of James Howard Williams and the elephants who helped him build bridges, extract teak, and ultimately rescue refugees across the Burmese jungle during WWII. Gripping and moving.
  • When the Last Lion Roars by Sara Evans - An urgent, accessible account of the African lion's decline from 200,000 to under 20,000 in a century. Covers the science, politics, and human stories behind lion conservation. Eye-opening pre-safari reading.
  • Ivory, Horn and Blood by Ronald Orenstein - The definitive book on the poaching crisis devastating African elephants and rhinos. Covers the criminal networks, the rangers fighting back, and what travellers can do. Important context for any safari visitor.
  • Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams & Mark Carwardine - Witty and heartbreaking tour of endangered species by the Hitchhiker's Guide author. Combines humour with urgent conservation messaging.
  • Owen and Mzee by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff & Paula Kahumbu - True story of an orphaned hippo befriending a 130-year-old tortoise in Kenya. A heartwarming tale of unlikely friendship that teaches empathy.
  • Remembering Elephants by Various Photographers - Stunning coffee-table book from the Remembering Wildlife series. All proceeds go to elephant conservation - beautiful photography with a purpose.
  • Whatever You Do, Don't Run by Peter Allison - Hilarious memoir from a Botswana safari guide - true stories from the bush that will have you laughing out loud. A favourite among safari enthusiasts.
  • Poached by Rachel Love Nuwer - Gripping investigation into the illegal wildlife trade - from African poaching networks to Asian markets. Essential reading for understanding the threats to safari wildlife.
  • Safari Nation by Jacob S. T. Dlamini - Fascinating history of South Africa's national parks and their complex colonial legacy. Academic but accessible - changes how you think about safari tourism.
  • Safari: A Photicular Book by Dan Kainen & Carol Kaufmann - Mesmerising book with moving photographic images of African animals. Kids and adults love the magical moving pictures - perfect pre-trip gift.