Okavango Delta

It is the largest inland Delta in the world its water forming a 15,000 sq km maze of waterways, lagoons and papyrus – lined islands. This wilderness is inhabited by local villagers living on the bigger islands. Their canoes, mokoros, the only real way to get around, are hand-hewn from logs.

The Okavango Delta is known as the Jewel of the Kalahari and when you see it you will understand why. It is an unexpectedly tranquil and isolated oasis in the middle of the harsh, arid Kalahari Desert. With such a diversity of flora and Fauna this really has to one of Africa’s most spectacular safari destinations. It is the largest inland Delta in the world its water forming a 15,000 sq km maze of waterways, lagoons and papyrus – lined islands. This wilderness is inhabited by local villagers living on the bigger islands. Their canoes, mokoros, the only real way to get around, are hand-hewn from logs.

The Cubango River which is spurred on by huge Suptropical storms flows through Namibia as the Kuvango River and enters Botswana as the Okavango River in the north. The water entering the delta is unusually pure, due to the lack of industrialization along the Okavango River. Because the water does not have an outlet to the sea, significant quantities of salt have been precipitated beneath the islands as the water passes through the sand aquifer. About 11 cubic km of this water empties onto the dry sands of the Kalahari Desert providing irrigation to an area of approximately 15,000 km². Lake Ngami further south collects any of the water which makes it across the desert.

Each summer, floods pour down from the highlands of Angola into the Okavango River - known as the 'river that never finds the sea' as the water evaporates or irrigates the Kalahari Desert It forms an ever changing maze of floodplains, islands lagoons and channels, increasing the size of the floodplain with its rich sediment from 6,000 sq km to 15,000 sq km The river divides into several main channels that work their way across the sands, interrupted by islands varying from tiny to large - Chief's Island is about 40km long and 50km wide. When the floods reach their peak between May and August, the delta covers vast grass flats making thousands of islands out of tree-covered ridges of land. Thick papyrus grows everywhere, and in the northern parts of the delta, chokes the waterways so that they are impenetrable except by canoe. With the increasing flood water comes even larger numbers of wildlife congregating in and around the delta. The water from the delta is evaporated relatively rapidly by the high temperatures, resulting in a cycle of cresting and dropping water in the south

There are many game camps and lodges in and around the delta to cater for those who wish to experience this amazing place. The best way to travel around is by makoro, a dug out canoe, poled by a local guide.

Where all this water goes is a mystery", Aurel Schultz, 1897

When is the best time to visit?

Between April and November large herds of animals migrate to the waterways, offering a spectacular sight for any visitor. December and January are equally spectacular as they are the calving months and whilst January to march is the rainy season there is a great opportunity at this time to see a huge diversity of birds

How to get to the Okavango Delta?

Air Botswana flies daily from Johannesburg to Maun. Botswana is well serviced by a well oiled and efficient charter companies. By combining a trip to the Okavango with Chobe & Victoria Falls, many people fly into Victoria Falls or Livingstone.

Maun

To get to the Okavango Delta most people travel through Maun. Maun receives daily flights from Johannesburg and flights three times a week from Cape Town and Windhoek. From here you are usually met by a representative and transferred to a small Cessna 206 flight. These ‘puddle hoppers’ fly between the various camps like taxis and drop off guests, luggage and even camp supplies.

Luggage Limit

The small planes means that there is a very strict luggage limit. Limited to 12kg per person in soft sided duffel bags. Most of the lodges have laundry facilities, hairdryers, guest amenities, and very relaxed dress codes which means that there is no need to pack the kitchen sink. It is recommended to leave excess luggage in storage in Johannesburg Airport if absolutely necessary.

In and around the Delta

Maun

Maun is the main center of the delta region and home to an airstrip which is where most visitors who fly into the area will land. Due to tourism it has expanded from a rural outpost to something which much more resembles a town. You can find hotel, banks, shopping centers and lodges here.

Moremi Game Reserve

The Moremi Game Reserve, is a real untouched wilderness, 37 km from Maun it is a 1,160sq mile reserve right in the heart of the Okavango Delta. It is made up of two main islands, Chief’s Island in the west, Mopane Tongue in the east, and a network of waterways surrounding them. You can reach the reserve either by air or by road from Maun although this is discouraged unless you are a very experienced 4x4 driver and even then only in the drier months. For the more adventurous there are three serviced campsites in the reserve allowing you a chance to really be at one with nature. You will see some big game.

Chobe National Park

Chobe is situated in the far North of Botswana and is the second largest game park at 4,517 sq km. It is divided into four distinct regions. There is the floodplains and teak forest, the Sauvete marshes in the West, the Linyante swamp in the North West and the hot dry hinterland in between. There are over 70,000 elephants which live in Chobe and it is not uncommon to watch herds of over 100 thundering past.

The Chobe river which defines the north west border is a great spot for a river safari and there are many game lodges, hotels and campsite to be found both in the area. The other main attraction of Chobe is that it is merely an hours drive from the huge tourist attraction of Victoria falls.

Tsodilo Hills

This is a mysterious place which is of high spiritual significance for the local San people and the source of much myth and legend. The San believe that the hills where the site of first creation, there are thousands of rock paintings representing scenes which date back as far as 1300 AD. There are not lodges or hotels here as this really is a remote location but you can camp and there are Boreholes which you can draw water from.

Medical Information

No vaccinations are required for entering Botswana, although the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following vaccines. See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for them to take effect:

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)

Hepatitis B if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment

Rabies, if you come into direct contact with wild or domestic animals

Typhoid, not at all common in Botswana

Also Tetanus-diphtheria Boosters, measles and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults, as needed.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required for entry into certain African countries, particularly if you are coming from a country in tropical South America or elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is no risk for of yellow fever in Botswana

Botswana has a very high incidence of AIDS although this should not affect tourists unless they're planning to have intimate contact with the locals

This is a malaria area. You should speak to your doctor before you travel ( well in advance) and they will be able to help you obtain the most effective Malaria tablets.

Whilst in the delta you should attempt to minimize mosquito bites by wearing light, long sleeved clothing and using effective insect repellents (containing Diethyltoluamide DEET) on exposed skin. Sleep under treated mosquito netting or ensure that the doors and windows of your accommodation are screened to prevent mosquitoes getting in.

Malaria is present throughout the Okavango region, and all visitors are advised to take anti-malarial medication as proscribed by their Doctors. The risk of Malaria is very low in June, July, August and September

Visas

All visitors entering Botswana must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months, except those with United Nations Convention travel documents. You must have TWO BLANK pages showing in your passport when opened next to each other

Valid entry visas for the countries which do require them may be obtained from Botswana's various embassies and high commissions abroad. In countries where Botswana is not represented, visas may be obtained from the British High Commission. Entry visas obtained at border posts are valid for a maximum of 30-90 days. Extensions may be obtained from any immigration office in Botswana. No visitor is allowed more than a 90-day stay in every calendar year, unless permission has been granted in the form of a waiver pending the outcome of a residence permit application

Climate

It is hot in The Okavango delta all year round with temperatures rarely dropping below 16 ºC more likely to be around the 25- 30 ºC mark. With a relative humidity of over 50% all year round it will definitely feel warm! Rainfall is not heavy in the Okavango - it gets less than half of the rainfall than over the Kruger Park area, the most rainfall likely to occur in December – February.

The hottest time of year in Botswana is also the wettest. The rainy season occurs in summer between October and April. Dry and cool weather, with cold and often frosty nights, occurs between May and September, when the average daytime temperature is a pleasant 25ºC (77ºF). The months between April and October are ideal for tourists in terms of weather and game viewing. This is the time when the wildlife is most prolific and easily spotted around the natural waterholes and dams

People

There are five major ethnic groups which make up the population of the Okavango Delta. Each has its own language and ethnic identity.

Hambukushu
Dceriku,
Wayeyi,
Bugakhwe
Anikhwe .

The Hambukushu, Dceriku, and Wayeyi are all Bantus (a group of over 400 African tribes who are united by a similar language and customs) who have traditionally engaged in mixed economies of millet/sorghum agriculture; fishing, hunting, the collection of wild plant foods.

Useful information

The local currency is the Pula (it means 'rain' in Setswana). VISA and MASTERCARD are accepted everywhere - there are ATM's in Maun and Kasane. US$, Euro, UK£s and South African Rand are widely accepted - and are very welcome for tips to Guides and Camp staff.

Electricity is 240 volts which means that plugs are the UK three square pin type, However not many Lodges or Camps have 240 volt power so most electrical items cannot be used. Recharging camera and video batteries is usually possible

Things to do

If the sheer beauty of this place is not enough then there are lots of other activities that you can and should take advantage of whilst you are here. Because the Okavango Delta always has a certain amount of water, even in it's "dry" season, there are a number of water based activities on offer at many of the African safari camps here.
You can’t leave without taking a Botswana boat safaris using mokoro; a must for all visitors to this wetland paradise. There are also foot safaris, the guides are superb and the amazing feeling of walking through Africa's wilderness so close to nature is like nothing else.

Wildlife

If you are looking for wildlife then you are in the right place, The Okavango delta is teeming with it. With over 450 bird species, 164 mammal species, 157 species of reptile, 80 fish species and 5000 species of insect you will be amazed at how diverse on area can be. Whilst you are here you should see: elephants, hippopotamus, crocodiles, buffalos, impalas, zebras, leopard, waterbucks, lions, hyenas, giraffes, jackals, porcupines, warthogs, hyraxes, baboons, vervet monkeys, genets, herons, egrets, fish and eagles.

If you are lucky you will also see: cheetahs, wild dogs, leopards, leeches, sitatungas, pangolins, bat-eared foxes, bush- and reed bucks. The delta draws large numbers of animal populations that are rare, such as red lechwe, sitatunga, wild dogs, buffalo, blue wildebeest, chacma baboon, sacred ibis, greater kudu and wattled crane.