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 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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Useful links
Botswana Embassy
U.S Consulate Travel Information
Travel Health Information
Malaria Travel Information
