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41 Okavango Delta trips. Compare tour itineraries from 8 tour companies. 420 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.
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Top Okavango Delta Attractions
- Coming face to face with a hippo while gliding through a narrow channel in a traditional dugout canoe (mokoro).
- Viewing lions and leopards battle Cape buffalo or elephants on the plains or in the swamps in dramatic quests for survival.
- Spotting rare birds in the northwest Panhandle area of the Delta, which harbors hundreds of exotic species.
- Camping out under the stars on one of the Delta’s thousands of islands.
- Joining a 4X4 game drive in search of Africa’s “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino).
- Taking a scenic plane ride over the Delta to be awed by its vast scope.
- Enjoying the peace and tranquility of a night in one of the most remote corners of Africa.
- Staying at a luxury lodge and being pampered in one of the many private reserves bordering the national park.
Okavango Delta Tours & Travel Guide
Okavango Delta Attractions & Landmarks Guide
Each winter in northern Botswana, primarily in July and August, the Okavango River – originating in Angola, flowing through Namibia and swollen from the preceding rainy season -- floods Botswana’s Okavango Delta, adding greatly to its normal size and forming an unlikely oasis in the vast Kalahari Desert.
The flood waters attract wildlife from both near and far, who gather in the hundreds of thousands to drink at this huge seasonal watering hole in the otherwise dry winter months.
The animals, in turn, have been drawing an increasing number of safari-goers, who come to see the wide variety of wildlife flocking to the flooded Delta. Animals you may see include Cape buffalo, hippos, elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, crocodiles, hyenas, antelopes, warthogs, baboons, wild dogs, and both black and white rhinos, which are making a slow comeback here. In all, the Delta harbors more than 120 species of mammals, 90 species of fish, 480 bird species, and 1,000 plant species.
Dugout Canoe Travel
Okavango Delta is one of the world’s largest inland deltas, sprawling over thousands of square miles, and comprised of a labyrinth of lagoons, streams, lakes, channels, floodplains, as well as thousands of islands, ranging from tiny to quite large. While 4X4 game drives, walking safaris and night safaris are offered here, the ultimate treat is to travel through the narrow reed- and water lily-laden channels by traditional dugout canoe, known as a mokoro.
Poled through the shallow waters by experienced oarsmen (much like Venetian gondoliers), the mokoros glide slowly along, coming sometimes perilously close to hippos and crocodiles but providing otherwise unattainable photo ops. Motorized boats are also available for those nervous in a canoe or are seeking more comfort,, though you lose some of peace and tranquility.
Accommodations range from luxury lodges to cabins, campsites and tented camps, and there are a wide variety of tour operators. The luxury accommodations are located in private reserves that border Moremi Game Reserve, a national park. Since there are no fences separating Moremi from the private reserves, the animals roam freely among them; the private reserve owners guard their own territories from poachers. The private reserves sometimes have differing geological features, and thus can differ in their concentrations of wildlife – be they elephants, birds, lions or leopards.
Okavango Delta Wildlife
The flooding from the River Okavango happens annually during the dry season. The plants and animals of the region have synchronized their biological cycles accordingly with the floods and rains timings, which is a unique and extraordinary example of the perfect interaction between hydrological, biological, and climatic processes.
Apart from being one of the largest inland deltas of the world, this place is also famous for being home to various wildlife species, and some very unique ones. The Delta has large concentrations of various animals on seasonal as well as permanent basis.
Proper management has made this place one of the best spots to witness a beautiful variety of birds and animals. The inland is home to some of the endangered species of mammals like black rhinoceros, white rhinoceros, cheetah, lion, and African wild dog.
There is a frequent shifting of animals with changing seasons. During the wet season, most of the large animals move towards the inner region, away from Delta, to the lush grazing surrounding it.
African buffalo, bush elephant, lechwe, blue wildebeest, Nile crocodile, cheetah, lion, leopard, hippopotamus, topi, giraffe, spotted hyena, brown hyena, sable antelope, white rhinoceros, warthog, plains zebra, chacma baboon, greater kudu, black rhinoceros, and the endangered African wild dog are some of the most significant species of the region.
Moreover, there are around 500 bird species and about 85 species of fish.
Day trip from the Okavango Delta
There are various tour operators offering guided Botswana tours through the beautiful region. You can book a day trip, depending on your interest and preference.
Explore the fantastic Okavango Delta wildlife, have some adventurous sports, get mesmerized by the breathtaking landscape, enjoy aquatic games, fascinating sunset, and much more. There is a lot to do at the place, depending on your preference for activities as well as the tour operator.
Attractions in the Okavango Delta
The major attraction of the region is its wildlife, however, there are various activities that might appeal to you and let you explore the Delta in a more enjoyable way.
1. Mokoro Ride
Explore the beautiful islands in these traditional canoes through the maze-like narrow waterways. Crafted from large Delta trees, these strong and sturdy boats are available only in the summer, these canoes take you deep into the heart of the Delta. The non-motorized boats glide slowly through the channels allowing you to get in touch with the wildlife silently.
2. Motorboat Safari
Increase your pace and try a motorboat instead of the canoes that will take you through the lagoons and floodplains of the wetland. Enjoy the wildlife around you like wild elephants, yawning hippos, friendly crocodiles, lechwe antelopes, and many more.
3. Guided Walks
The guided walks through the regions allow you to explore many picturesque spots and islands. For walks, you need to set out early in the morning before the sun gets very hot. These walks are carried out with expert guides who make sure of your safety and help you on the tracks with animals while also providing a lot of information about your surroundings.
4. Horseback Safaris
Available in Macatoo Camp, horseback safaris are the best way to explore the beautiful region as it can take you deeper to the spots where safari vehicles cannot reach. But you need to be an expert rider as the terrain is difficult and you have to maintain good control of your horse.
Vast Areas
With such a vast area to cover, it’s best to select a tour that focuses on one or two of the private reserves combined with some time spent in the Moremi Game Reserve. Costs will vary by the level of luxury of the lodging and also by time of year (June-September being high season).
Since it can be confusing as to which outfitter and itinerary is the best fit for you, leave it to Stride to help untangle the maze. And you can soon be on your way to one of the natural wonders of Africa – and the world.
Okavango Delta Reviews & Ratings
Above all else FUN TIME with guide
Botswana Adventure, August 2019. Loved: the trip, adventure, guide Tshepo, driver Moses. So informative, great culture immersion, great game viewing, fun accommodati...
This was an amazing three week
This was an amazing three week journey across a beautiful part of Southern Africa. An excellent itinerary with lots of included activities. Lots of wildlife, scenery...
Appreciated efforts to be socially and environmentally
Our Botswana adventure was the best guided tour we have taken. It was our first with Intrepid and were impressed by the effort taken by our leader and driver to make...
Appreciated efforts to be socially and environmentally
Our Botswana adventure was the best guided tour we have taken. It was our first with Intrepid and were impressed by the effort taken by our leader and driver to make...
Absolutely most authentic trip
Absolutely most authentic trip,very well informed,always very prompt ,great communication,safety the utmost importance on this Safari,excellent Safari tour guides. U...
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