Okavango Delta
The Okavango River floods the Kalahari Desert and creates Africa’s last great inland delta. Elephants swim between islands. Wild dogs hunt at dawn. Mokoro canoes glide through silence.
Swimming Elephants, Wild Dogs, and the World’s Most Peaceful Canoe Safari
The Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most extraordinary natural phenomena — a vast inland river delta where the Okavango River spreads across 15,000km² of Kalahari Desert to create permanent swamp, seasonal floodplain, and dry woodland islands in perfect ecological tension. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is Africa’s last great inland delta and one of the continent’s supreme wildlife destinations.
The mokoro canoe safari — navigating silently through reed channels at water level among hippos, crocodiles, and extraordinary water birds — is the delta’s most distinctive and peaceful wildlife experience. Elephant herds swim between islands, trunks held above the waterline. Wild dog packs hunt across the floodplain margins at dawn. The Okavango delivers Africa’s most diverse and exclusive safari within a single ecosystem.
Our 7-Day Botswana Safari covers the delta’s finest camps and wildlife zones combined with the Central Kalahari.
Full delta safari from approximately $800 per person per night at premium camps. Mokoro canoe approximately $50 per person. Fly-in from Maun required for all inner delta camps. All through Apes & Wildlife Safaris.
Malaria prophylaxis essential. Winter nights (June–August) drop to 5–8°C — pack warm layers. Fly-in required for premium inner delta camps. The Green Season (November–April) delivers lush scenery and birding but different wildlife distribution.
Wildlife & Natural Highlights
African Wild Dogs
Africa’s highest wild dog density. Pack sightings — particularly dawn hunts across floodplain margins — are one of Botswana’s most celebrated and electric wildlife events.
Mokoro Canoe Safari
Navigating reed channels at water level, silently, among hippos and extraordinary water birds — the most serene and intimate wildlife experience available in Africa.
Swimming Elephants
Okavango elephants freely swim between islands — trunks held above the waterline. The sight of swimming elephant families crossing channels is one of the delta’s most extraordinary spectacles.
Lions
Adapted to seasonal flooding — some individuals accomplished swimmers. Lion hunting in shallow floodplain margins creates a completely different dynamic from other African ecosystems.
Leopard
Resident on permanently dry woodland islands. Chief’s Island in Moremi is particularly reliable. Dawn and dusk game drives consistently produce close sightings.
Avifauna — 550+ Species
African jacana, malachite kingfisher, slaty egret, and the rare wattled crane are Okavango specialties. All 550+ species range through the delta’s extraordinary habitat variety.
Key Areas & Experiences
Each zone of Okavango Delta delivers a distinct wildlife experience. Apes & Wildlife Safaris tailors your itinerary to cover the areas that best match your interests and group.
The largest permanent island — the delta’s finest general wildlife area. Big Five present, excellent leopard and wild dog.
The narrow northern section famous for hippo and crocodile concentrations and intensive mokoro experiences.
Excellent elephant, buffalo, and wild dog in a less expensive alternative to the premium island camps.
Mombo, Vumbura Plains, Duba — exclusive safari with very low vehicle numbers and Africa’s finest camp infrastructure.
Best Time to Visit Okavango Delta
Annual flood at maximum. Wildlife concentrated on islands. Wild dog activity at peak. The definitive Okavango experience.
Flood arriving from Angola. Excellent transition season with both water and land wildlife accessible.
Rains starting. Calving season. Migratory birds arrive in extraordinary numbers.
Lush, beautiful, excellent birding. Wildlife more dispersed. Lower rates. A different but rewarding delta.
Curated Safaris Including Okavango
Every Apes & Wildlife Safaris itinerary is tailor-made and can be extended to include Okavango Delta alongside other Botswana parks and destinations.
Expert Tips for Okavango Delta
Plan Well in Advance
Peak season for Botswana fills months ahead. Contact Apes & Wildlife Safaris early to secure the best dates, accommodation, and permits for your group.
Stay Multiple Nights
A single day in Okavango Delta scratches the surface. Two to three nights reveals the full depth of the wildlife, landscape, and daily rhythm across dawn, midday, and dusk.
Never Miss the Dawn Drive
The first two hours after sunrise deliver the highest predator activity, best photography light, and most concentrated wildlife encounters. Always prioritise the early start.
Trust Your Expert Guide
The best wildlife encounters come from guides who read animal behaviour and position the vehicle ahead of the action. Apes & Wildlife Safaris works only with experienced, park-specialist guides.
Combine with Other Botswana Parks
Botswana’s parks are most rewarding in combination. Ask Apes & Wildlife Safaris about the ideal circuit — Chobe, the Okavango Delta, and the Central Kalahari together deliver Africa’s most complete safari.
Take Out Medical Evacuation Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation cover is essential for all Botswana safari travel. Many parks are remote — evacuation distance matters. Apes & Wildlife Safaris can advise on appropriate cover.
Your Botswana Safari Awaits
Apes & Wildlife Safaris handles every detail — permits, transfers, expert guides, and hand-picked accommodation — from first enquiry to final sundowner.