From KSh1,472,386 to KSh2,748,713 pps
Baines' Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary
Okavango Delta, BotswanaActivities travellers enjoyed
Game drives | Guided walking safaris | Helicopter flights | Mokoro trails | Boat excursions | Fishing

HomeDestinationsOkavango Delta
The Okavango is an inland wetland in the Kalahari: channels, lagoons, and islands, reached by light aircraft and travelled by mokoro, boat, and game drive.
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Considered one of Nature’s masterpieces, the Okavango Delta offers visitors an insight into one of Africa’s truly great wildernesses. A World Heritage Site, this vast and virtually untouched freshwater wetland lies at the heart of Botswana’s arid Kalahari Desert yet supports an abundance of wildlife within a setting of dazzling natural beauty.
Protected in part by the Moremi Game Reserve and numerous private concessions, the Okavango Delta is home to huge numbers of plains game plus unusual antelope like puku, sitatunga and red lechwe. It is a world-famous stronghold for predators as well as many sought-after bird species like Pel's fishing owl, bee-eaters and kingfishers.
Nowhere else in the world can you experience the sublime serenity of being poled along in a traditional dugout canoe as birds like jacanas and herons walk among the lilies, elephants arrive to feed on the soft grass and sitatunga antelope retreat shyly into the reeds. Leaving the 4×4 game-vehicle behind opens up the world's most unspoilt wetland of the Botswana Okavango Delta to be explored by mokoro or motor boat.

Safaris in Botswana offer exceptional accommodation locations in pristine wilderness. Botswana has some of the continent's toughest conservation rules: all lodges must be able to be disassembled in 24 hours and not leave a trace behind. Despite this, the accommodation is superb and highly creative. Mostly constructed from timber, many lodges are raised on stilts to cope with the varying water levels, giving you gorgeous views over the Delta.
There are several legendary private concessions for an immersive Delta Safari – like Jao Plains, Abu, Nxabega, Khwai and Kwando – that are not open to the public but to guests only. Expect low visitor numbers, very few vehicles and an unhurried approach to sightings. Camps are very well spaced and offer some of the purest game viewing in the most pristine conditions anywhere in the world. Look out for rare species like sable and roan antelope as well as honey badgers if you're very lucky!
Safaris in Botswana, Okavango Delta truly offer something for everyone. First-timers will have a mind-blowing safari that surpasses their expectations, but even seasoned safari-goers will not be left disappointed. Because there is so much to do, the Okavango Delta safari is perfect for multi-generational families.
Yet despite its wild nature, the Okavango Delta is surprisingly accessible and can be combined with other spectacular African destinations.
Bird watching
Cultural interactions
Mokoro rides
Private concessions and conservancies
Scenery
Sunset cruises and boating
Wildlife and safari

Intact, largely unthreatened, and virtually undeveloped, the Okavango Delta is a complex natural ecosystem that varies in size and mood according to season. It’s important to know however that the Okavango Delta is not just a wetland: Angolan floodwaters from June to September can double the size of the permanent swamps at the core of the delta but great areas of the Okavango Delta are dry woodland, thick riverine forest, and grassy floodplains throughout the year.
To ensure your expectations are met, work with your safari expert about where to go in the Okavango Delta, and at what time of year.

Protecting the eastern and central regions of the Okavango Delta, the Moremi Game Reserve is one of Africa’s most beautiful and wildlife-rich conservation areas. Game viewing is excellent in Moremi’s diverse habitats: elephant, buffalo and lion sightings are common, the bird watching is amazing and it’s a famous stronghold for leopard and wild dog.
The Moremi Game Reserve is located in the region’s east and central regions of the Okavango Delta. Mokoro safaris are a fantastic way to see hippos, elephants, and crocodiles on the intricate water channels of the Okavango swamps. Several top-class lodges are located in Moremi and on its fringes where there is an emphasis on game drives, though many lodges offer water-based activities too.

An inverted oasis of permanently dry land at the heart of the Okavango Delta, Chief’s Island is big game country, a place where the animals that need water – but don’t necessarily like getting their feet wet – thrive.
Some 60km long and around 10km wide, the island is where both game drives and guided walks take place and many lodges – including the luxurious Chief’s Camp – are set either on it or close by. Part of Moremi Game Reserve, the island’s wide range of habitats make for excellent bird watching and Chief’s Island is home to all the major predators including impressive numbers of the African wild dog – Africa's painted wolf.
Clustered around the Moremi Game Reserve are private concessions – clearly defined, sole-use areas of the Okavango Delta leased from the authorities and run by individual operators. Staying at one is a great option in that not only do private concessions deliver game viewing as good as Moremi’s but most only accommodate one or two lodges and so the low number of visitors means a very exclusive, away-from-the-crowds experience.
Furthermore, operators in private concessions aren’t bound by Moremi’s strict regulations and offer night drives and off-road driving to enhance your wildlife sightings. Wildlife encounters are led by experienced and passionate guides. Most of these guides grew up locally and are experts on the area, who care deeply for the environment and its preservation.

With much of the Okavango Delta dry for large parts of the year, land-based camps are sometimes unable to offer water-based activities outside of the flood season. In compensation, the game viewing at these camps is usually excellent and with game drives offered in the morning, afternoon and early evening, you’ll be well rewarded with an array of diverse sightings. Guided walks are offered at some land-based camps and given the juxtaposition of land and water. Plus, the bird watching is superb.
Located on the edge of permanent lagoons and rivers, many water-based camps offer game drives, but the emphasis is more on providing a pure wetland experience. These lodges, usually beautifully located, are where to go in the Okavango Delta for guaranteed water-based activities such as mokoro and motorboat safaris as well as fishing trips. Tiger Fish bring fishing enthusiasts from all over the world to the waters of the Delta. The game viewing is not as spectacular as at land-based camps but guided walks on the many small islands of the permanent swamps are often a highlight.

A classic ‘frontier town’, Maun is the gateway to the Okavango Delta either via charter aircraft or land transfers. There’s nothing remarkable about this dusty, bustling, sun-baked village and there are few places of interest to detain you – you’ll more than likely fly in on a regional or local flight only to fly out again on your charter flight – but a central hotel and several lodges located out of town provide adequate accommodation if a night’s stop-over is required.

The best time to visit the Okavango Delta is between June and August and from September to October – however, a winning combination of permanent wetlands and abundant resident wildlife means the Okavango Delta is a year-round safari destination. The November to April rainy summer season sees it transform from an excellent birdwatching destination to a sensational one.
January is the rainiest month, with regular thunderstorms that break in the late afternoon. As fewer people visit this month, the camps and lodges in the Okavango tend to be quiet, and there are great safari specials to take advantage of.
February and March have a similar climate to January. These summer months are highly unpredictable weatherwise. The landscape is lush and green, with the water levels of the Okavango Delta at their lowest, but there are still wonderful opportunities for exceptional game viewing and Okavango Delta tours.
April is a beautiful month to be anywhere in the Okavango Delta, particularly on the water, enjoying motorboat and mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) trips – the best being in the north and west of the region. This is the month when the Okavango Delta floodwaters begin to rise and you can experience a luxury Botswana safari.
In May, as the surface water evaporates on the surrounding Kalahari Plains, more and more wild animals are drawn to the rising floodwaters, especially along the Delta's northern concessions. Those who visit the Okavango Delta often gush about May being their favorite month. Predator sightings are not as prolific as later in the season, but experienced trackers and guides are adept at finding animals in just about any season.
By June, the thinning vegetation of the Okavango Delta makes predator spotting easier and all manner of safari activities are on offer across the region. June is one of the best times to visit the Okavango Delta, especially if you are looking to try a mix of water and land-based activities. Being a popular month, it's advisable to plan well in advance.
July to October is a good time to see the endangered African wild dog, particularly in the northern concessions. This is also the time to see the Delta at its fullest – as it spills its main channels into the Kalahari Desert.
In August, the wildlife viewing only improves as the dry season continues, and it is now peak safari season. Keen birders are in for a treat with thousands of herons, storks, and egrets arriving to start building their nests. If you're interested in fishing, the catfish run is impressive, a feeding frenzy that populates the main channels and attracts hungry predators.
September and October are some of the best months for predator sightings. The Moremi Game Reserve is where to visit in the Okavango Delta during this time. With the lack of rain causing many waterholes to dry up across Botswana, you'll find that many animals trek hundreds of miles to the Okavango Delta.
Early November is usually a hot month as the coming of the rains is imminent. Once the rains arrive, the antelope birthing season begins and the Okavango Delta becomes a haven for new life, which attracts the heavyweight predators.
December is the second wettest month of the year and afternoon showers are dramatic spectacles. December is the month of rejuvenation for the African bush after a long period of heat and dust.
Chat with someone who’s been there – get in touch with one of our Africa Safari Experts to help tailor-make your Okavango Delta safari:
For general information on travelling to Botswana, visit our Botswana travel advice page.
Water camps v land camps: make sure you know exactly what kind of camp you are planning to visit. Although most camps offer a range of activities, lodges located at permanent water sites offer boating and canoe safaris throughout the year whereas camps in seasonally flooded areas focus more on game drives and may not offer water activities during the low water season.
Moremi Game Reserve v Private Concessions: Moremi delivers incredible game viewing but the adjoining private concessions offer a similar wildlife experience with the bonus of night drives, guided nature walks, off-road driving for close-up sightings and far fewer visitors.
Bring your binoculars: the bird watching is fantastic in the Okavango Delta thanks to a mix of water and land habitats. Pel’s fishing-owl, white-backed night-heron and slaty egret are among the ‘mega-ticks.’
Get active: an Okavango Delta safari offers the widest range of guided activities in Botswana – enjoy day and night game drives, guided nature walks, motor boat trips and canoe safaris.
Always keep your camera handy: nearly all visitors to the Okavango Delta fly in to their accommodation on light aircraft from Maun, the Okavango Delta’s gateway town. Stunning views of the delta and bird’s eye game viewing begin the moment you take off.
Wrap up in winter: warm clothes are a must from May to August – visitors on early morning game drives and late afternoon boat trips can expect temperatures not much above freezing.
Be prepared for local visitors: accommodation in the Okavango Delta is unfenced and it’s not unusual for anything from elephants to monkeys to wander through the lodge grounds. Adhere to safety rules and remember that you are perfectly safe in your tent and lodge buildings but a guide or manager will accompany you to and from your tent if necessary.
For flight schedules, fares and booking terms, check directly with the airline or your chosen travel agent.
Maun International Airport: set at the edge of the Okavango Delta, Botswana’s busiest airport is served by flights from Johannesburg, Gaborone, Kasane (Chobe) and Windhoek. Less regular flights in peak season are available from Cape Town. You’ll transfer to light aircraft for the final leg into the delta and then usually a short 4X4 drive to the lodge.
Okavango Delta travel is varied: game drives are conducted in open-sided 4X4s but visitors to these diverse wetlands can expect excursions by motor boat and canoe as well as on foot. Transfers between camps are usually via light aircraft and less often via boat.
Chat with someone who’s been there. Get in touch with one of our Africa Travel Experts to help tailor-make a trip to the Okavango Delta that’s right for you.
The Okavango Delta is a hard-to-beat wildlife destination. A spectacular, remote wilderness, it’s where age-old battles between predator and prey play out before you. Soak up the drama on 4X4 game drives, guided island walks, boating safaris and canoe trips. It’s also a destination that combines easily with Botswana’s other prime game viewing areas such as the Chobe National Park, the Linyanti swamps and the Kalahari as well as Victoria Falls – places that are often part of our Okavango Delta safaris.
Yet despite the wild nature of the Okavango Delta, there’s plenty of comfort to be enjoyed at the Delta’s excellent safari lodges and tented camps, several of which rank among the most luxurious and romantic in Southern Africa.
Our selection of Okavango Delta tours and safaris is hugely varied and caters for time and budget constraints as well as a variety of interests; if you can’t find the one you want, rest assured that one of our Africa Safari Experts will tailor-make the perfect Okavango safari for you.
Stay at three exclusive & luxurious lodges. Perfect as a honeymoon or romantic getaway.
Experience an authentic safari, orientated towards families. Go on motor-boat excursions in Moremi.
Experience the excitement of Victoria Falls. Drift along the Okavango in a mokoro.
Combine two of Botswana's premier safari destinations. Enjoy sensational game viewing .
Combine three of Botswana's top wildlife destinations. Expect excellent, up-close game viewing.
Stay at three exclusive & luxurious lodges. Perfect as a honeymoon or romantic getaway.
Stay at three exclusive & luxurious lodges. Perfect as a honeymoon or romantic getaway.
Experience an authentic safari, orientated towards families. Go on motor-boat excursions in Moremi.
Experience an authentic safari, orientated towards families. Go on motor-boat excursions in Moremi.
Experience the excitement of Victoria Falls. Drift along the Okavango in a mokoro.
Experience the excitement of Victoria Falls. Drift along the Okavango in a mokoro.
Combine two of Botswana's premier safari destinations. Enjoy sensational game viewing .
Combine two of Botswana's premier safari destinations. Enjoy sensational game viewing .
Combine three of Botswana's top wildlife destinations. Expect excellent, up-close game viewing.
Combine three of Botswana's top wildlife destinations. Expect excellent, up-close game viewing.
Priced itineraries that pass through this place. Nights can still change when the quote is drawn up. Nothing is paid until you accept it.
From KSh275,910 pps
Chobe River's Zambezi Queen Cruise
3 daysTime on the water by boat or canoe.
Botswana | Chobe National Park
From KSh433,666 to KSh730,999 pps
Adventurer Family Botswana's Delta
4 daysTime on foot with a guide. Time on the water by boat or canoe.
Botswana | Okavango Delta
From KSh523,904 pps
Train Journey to Vic Falls
4 daysMorning and afternoon game drives.
Botswana | South Africa | Zimbabwe
From KSh1,030,930 to KSh1,308,787 pps
Kalahari Botswana's San Camp
4 daysMorning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.
Botswana | Kalahari
From KSh1,056,898 to KSh1,854,115 pps
Romantic Botswana's Delta, Chief's Island
4 daysMorning and afternoon game drives.
Botswana | Okavango Delta
From KSh1,073,777 to KSh1,865,801 pps
Kalahari Botswana's Jack's Camp
4 daysMorning and afternoon game drives.
Botswana | Kalahari
From KSh523,904 pps
Train Journey to Vic Falls
4 daysMorning and afternoon game drives on each full day on safari. Park and permit fees for the places on this route.
Botswana | South Africa | Zimbabwe
From KSh451,843 to KSh647,902 pps
Romantic Falls, Zambezi & Chobe
5 daysTime on the water by boat or canoe.
Botswana | Chobe National Park | Chobe River | Victoria Falls | Zambia
Okavango Delta accommodation is located in both the permanent and seasonal wetlands. This leaves you with the choice between predominantly land-based lodges (focusing on game drives as well as water activities in high water season) or water-based camps that offer year-round water activities (canoeing, motor boating and fishing) but not always game drives.
Moreover, accommodation in the Okavango Delta is also split between lodges located in the Moremi Game Reserve (broadly speaking the central and eastern reaches of the Delta) and those in the Delta’s privately-run concessions, set in the west and south. Moremi is one of Africa’s greatest game-viewing destinations but visitors to the private reserves enjoy activities not permitted in Moremi such as night drives and off-road driving.
A further factor to consider is the changing seasons – the early winter floods, the ensuing dry months and the summer rains all add a different aspect to this extraordinary environment.
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21 stays. The rate is per person sharing.
From KSh1,472,386 to KSh2,748,713 pps
Okavango Delta, BotswanaGame drives | Guided walking safaris | Helicopter flights | Mokoro trails | Boat excursions | Fishing
From KSh803,710 to KSh1,738,558 pps
Okavango Delta, BotswanaGame drives | Guided walking safaris | Specialist guides | Bird watching | Scenic flights | Mokoro trails
From KSh990,679 pps
Okavango Delta, BotswanaNight drives | Game drives | Guided walking safaris | Specialist guides | Cultural visits | Bird watching
From KSh1,068,583 pps
Okavango Delta, BotswanaGame drives | Guided walking safaris | Specialist guides | Cultural visits | Historical tours | Bush dining
From KSh1,017,946 to KSh1,556,782 pps
Okavango Delta, BotswanaGame drives | Guided walking safaris | Bird watching | Mokoro trails | Boat excursions | Fishing
From KSh1,136,100 to KSh2,748,713 pps
Okavango Delta, BotswanaBush dining | Full-day safaris | Game drives | Helicopter flights | Guided walking safaris | Specialist guides
Enquire for pricing
Okavango Delta, BotswanaGame drives | Guided walking safaris | Sleep-out experience available | Star gazing | Bird watching | Helicopter flights
From KSh1,623,000 pps
Khwai Private Reserve, BotswanaCanoeing | Fishing | Cultural visits | Bush dining | Bird watching | Fine dining experience
From KSh754,370 to KSh1,328,263 pps
Khwai Community Concession, BotswanaCultural visits | Bush dining | Bird watching | Helicopter flights | Boat excursions | Fishing
From KSh1,103,640 pps
Moremi Game Reserve, BotswanaGame drives | Specialist guides | Star gazing | Bush dining | Bird watching | Spa treatments
Enquire for pricing
Okavango Delta, BotswanaGame drives | Guided walking safaris | Sleep-out experience available | Star gazing | Bird watching | Helicopter flights
From KSh2,081,335 to KSh3,859,884 pps
Okavango Delta, BotswanaNight drives | Game drives | Specialist guides | Star gazing | Bush dining | Bird watching
The delta sits at the higher end of safari pricing because the camps are small and the transfers are by air.
A private concession with night drives costs more than a simpler camp. Dry-season months, especially July to October, are the expensive ones.
Sample Botswana trips are the guide. International flights, visas, and tips are not inside them. Nothing is paid until you accept a quote.

Lodges
Best Okavango Delta Safari Lodges Safari Camps is a planning note from Safari Continents Travel. It sits beside the destination guides for Okavango Delta. Published trip prices are a guide. You receive a quote before anything is paid.
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