Things to do in the Okavango Delta

A watery wilderness, the sheer beauty of the Okavango Delta is complemented by the high concentration of game located in its vicinity. In the dry-season months of July through to October, this park is the central destination of a reported 5 million mammals in their search for water. Game viewing is outstanding all year round, but truly peaks as the annual floodwaters start to arrive. They turn vast areas of grass plains into lush wetlands, with the network of islands connected by crystalline waters and sandy channels.

The Okavango is also renowned for the fact that the majority of the region is divided into private reserves. Within these reserves, safaris are available only to guests who are staying in the camps, guaranteeing private, exclusive areas of untouched wilderness. The camps here are Africa’s most expensive and for good reason, with their unparalleled levels of luxury and privacy, and exceptional game viewing.

Top Experiences in the Okavango Delta

Game Drives

Whether you set off at dawn to catch sights and sounds of the waking African bush, during late afternoon and evening as the wildlife settles in for the night, or under the cover of darkness to see predators at their apex, a game drive in the Okavango is a must-do. As wildlife concentrations here are exceptional, you stand a good chance of seeing elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and much more. Keep an eye out for local water-specialised species such as red lechwe and the rare sitatunga. While the Kwando–Linyanti and Linyanti–Savute areas are better known for their wild dog numbers, you’re also likely to see these ‘painted dogs’ in the Okavango Delta during stays at lodges such as Wilderness Mombo.

Guided Bush Walks

Bush walks offer a different type of wildlife viewing experience. You have a different perspective from a game drive, one in which you’re really able to tune into the sounds, scents, and smaller aspects of the bush. The quiet and personal nature of a bush walk elevates the experience to envelop the big and small, from identifying animal prints to learning about plants, insects, and animals. It’s an intimate and exciting learning experience from some of Africa’s best safari guides. Beagle Expeditions mobile camp is a great option for bush walks.

Mokoro Rides

Hippos and other animals create a maze of channels through the waterways of the Okavango Delta, which make a perfect pathway for exploring the wilderness by mokoro (traditional dugout canoe). Traveling inches above the water while your guide silently pushes the boat along by pole is truly one of the best ways to experience this unique ecosystem. It allows you to get up close to vibrant bird species and quietly glide past big game. We’d recommend staying at a fully water-based camp such as Camp Okavango or Xugana Island Lodge for mokoro experiences.

Helicopter Flights

Many lodges use helicopters to move between camps, but a purely experience-driven private helicopter flight over the Delta can’t be beaten. As thrilling as it is spectacular, you’ll fly low over the glimmering waters and get a glimpse of the true expanse of one of Africa’s most epic wilderness areas. The Okavango Delta is truly the jewel of Botswana, and while the camps here may be pricey, they are also regarded as some of the finest on the continent. We would say that the overall camp standards are the best of any country.