It’s in the Okavango Delta that lion prides face off against buffalo herds, where elephants drift like silent grey battleships across glittering floodplains. Leopards, cheetahs and wild dogs stalk the delta margins; hippos and crocodiles pack its waterways.
The Okavango Delta in Botswana is one of Africa’s last great wilderness areas. An unspoilt wonderland of permanent and seasonal wetlands, it combines epic game viewing with stunning scenery to deliver an unforgettable safari.
A World Heritage Site, the Okavango Delta falls largely under the protection of the Moremi Game Reserve and adjoining privately-run concessions. Accommodation is widely available throughout the delta and you’ll have the luxury of choosing between different kinds of lodges – family-friendly, value-for-money, honeymoon-perfect and super-exclusive. Shared charters in small aeroplanes are the best – and usually only – way in and you’ll enjoy mesmerising views as you fly over the delta.
With your guide, you’ll explore the Okavango Delta by boat and traditional canoe as well as on foot. Lodges lying on drier land offer 4X4 game drives, and accommodation in private reserves are permitted to conduct night drives too, an excellent way to spot Botswana’s nocturnal animals. Ask us about the best Okavango Delta accommodation for your expectations: some camps are more water-oriented with permanent boating activities while others are land-based and focussed on game drives with only seasonal water activities.
You’ll need to choose the timing of your Okavango Delta safari carefully as it is a seasonally affected destination. Flood water arrives at the start of the dry season, greatly expanding the size of the delta. Animals arrive in great numbers and water-based activities are easier to guarantee. Game viewing by vehicle is however often best during the late dry season and bird watching is at its most diverse in the rainy season.
Browse our recommended accommodation and suggested itineraries for an Okavango Delta safari. Usually combined with Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta is served by Maun airport, Botswana’s travel hub. This means easy connections with South Africa and beyond, putting the Okavango Delta at the heart of an unbeatable Southern Africa itinerary.
The Okavango Delta is a year-round destination but its seasonal nature greatly affects the visitor experience.
High water season (May to August) coincides with Botswana’s dry winter, creating a happy combination of the best time of year for water activities, the mildest weather, and the lowest malaria risk. Animals are drawn to the rising water as winter wears on, making for very rewarding game viewing in September and October.
Note that many Okavango Delta lodges do not offer water activities except in flood season but these lodges will make up for it with the quality of their land-based game viewing. Conversely, lodges may also be unable to offer game drives in high water season – it pays to find out beforehand.
The arrival of the summer rains in November and December means that many animals move away from the delta but others arrive, including huge numbers of migrant bird species. Large herds of impala give birth in early summer, attracting predators and making an early Green Season to the Okavango Delta an attractive option for second-time around safari visitors.
The Okavango Delta offers an exceptional variety of accommodations tailored to every safari traveler’s dream. From intimate, luxury lodges perched on riverbanks to exclusive, mobile tented camps that move with the seasons, each stay immerses you in the heart of the wilderness. Choose from elegant permanent lodges featuring world-class amenities and stunning views, to rustic yet refined bush camps that provide a truly authentic safari experience. Whether you prefer water-based safari camps accessible only by boat or land-based retreats nestled deep in the delta’s channels, the accommodation options promise unparalleled comfort, privacy, and close encounters with nature.
Situated on a remote island, this luxury safari lodge offers an immersive water-based wilderness experience, featuring traditional mokoro rides, boating, and guided walking safaris. For a truly immersive adventure, the camp offers a unique sleep-out experience under the stars.
Eco-friendly camp nestled on a private island overlooking Chief’s Island floodplains, offering an intimate safari experience with guided walks and mokoro excursions—completely free of motorized activities.
Luxury, water-based safari camp situated on a private concession overlooking the permanent Xugana Lagoon, and offering mokoro excursions, boat safaris, and guided walks from stylish thatched chalets.
This rustic safari camp offers low-impact, authentic safari experience with dome tents, open-air showers, and activities like walking safaris and mokoro trips, all led by expert local guides in a peaceful, motor-free setting.
Luxury safari lodge on a palm island in Botswana’s northern Okavango Delta. It offers spacious tents with private decks overlooking waterways, and activities like game drives, mokoro trips, and guided walks for an immersive safari experience.
The camp features six luxurious tented suites, each offering panoramic views of the surrounding floodplains. Guests can engage in a range of activities, including game drives, walking safaris, mokoro excursions, and cultural experiences.
Explore the Okavango Delta through thoughtfully designed itineraries that change with the seasons and water levels, offering unique safari experiences year-round. During the high-water months, navigate the pristine waterways by mokoro or boat, gliding silently through channels alive with birds and aquatic wildlife. When water levels recede, the landscape transforms into lush floodplains and dry woodlands, perfect for game drives, walking safaris, and close-up wildlife encounters on foot or by 4×4. Each season brings its own magic — from dramatic predator sightings to vibrant birdlife — ensuring every visit to the delta is an adventure tailored by nature.
Our team of destination experts will design a holiday to meet your budget and interests. Let’s start planning your tailor-made African safari today!
The Okavango Delta’s location in Botswana puts it at the heart of a classic safari itinerary. Served by logistics hub Maun airport, the delta is a destination usually combined with Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park, giving travellers a taste of Botswana’s most famous wildlife hotspots. The Okavango Delta also lies within a short hop of the Kalahari, allowing for a fascinating contrast between permanent wetlands and arid grasslands, and it’s also easy to add on destinations further afield such as Victoria Falls and South Africa – ask us how.
