Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve
As one of Africa's most renowned safari destinations, the Okavango Delta offers an abundance of wildlife, beautiful scenery and a true safari experience. The delta is a beautiful oasis within the harsh environment of the Kalahari Desert. Its crystal clear waters spread out into a labyrinth of waterways and lagoons providing plenty of water to support the incredible diversity of wildlife in the surrounding area. This untouched land is a real wilderness, where the Big Five and many other animals roam free. The Okavango Delta is a true wetland paradise surrounded by vast, dry desert land. It is a beautifully unique safari destination that is definitely worth seeing!
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Best Time To Visit
July-October
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Average Safari Cost:
$200 to $1,500pp/day
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Highlights
The Big Five, beautiful wetlands, guiding walking safaris, mokoro canoe trips, game drives and amazing wildlife sightings in the Moremi Game Reserve.
Why Visit Okavango Delta?
The Okavango Delta offers an exceptional safari experience as it is teeming with different wildlife species to see. The delta supports, and is home to, many different animals and is one of the best safari destinations in Africa. The lodges around the delta are beautifully situated within the lush, green wilderness so you can enjoy the feeling of being immersed in nature from the comfort of your room.
There are a number of different reserves in the Okavango Delta, including the Moremi Game Reserve. Moremi Game Reserve is densely populated with different animal species and is one of the best places to see wildlife in the Okavango Delta. Lions, leopards and many other amazing animals can be found around the reserve. From wetlands to dry bush land, there are many different ecological areas for a variety of animal species to dwell in, which makes the wildlife viewing so incredible. Whether you're floating down the waterways in a mokoro canoe or wandering into the wilderness on a guided walking safari, the Okavango Delta offers some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities and true safari experiences in Africa.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Incredible wildlife sightings
- The Big Five
- Many activities including game drives, walking safaris, night drives and mokoro canoe trips
- Many accommodation options
- Excellent destination for birdwatching
Cons
- Expensive
- Some areas are more difficult to access during the wet months
Best Time To Visit
The Okavango Delta can be visited at any time during the year, however, the best time to see wildlife is during the dry season, April to October. This is also the best time for mokoro canoe adventures as the water levels in the delta are high. Peak season is from July to October so accommodation rates are higher. Temperatures are warm and pleasant during the day average about 79˚F (26˚C). However, mornings and nights can be very cold with temperatures reaching about 45˚F (7˚). As the wet season approaches, it gets very hot in October averaging about 95˚F (35˚C) during the day.
The wet season is from November to March. There is still wildlife to see around the delta but rainfall and thunderstorms may disrupt activities and travel plans. Some areas of the delta may be inaccessible during these months. Water levels are lower during the wet season so mokoro canoe trips may not be possible. As this is also the low season, some lodges may close. The days are generally hot with an average of 88˚F (31˚C).
For more details on the time to visit broken down by months see our Botswana overview.
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The Chobe River forms the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park, renowned for its reliable and diverse game viewing. Safaris are conducted both by boat and on land. This section of the park is best known for its elephant and hippo populations but the waters attract all manner of game including large herds of buffalo and the lions that prey on them.
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Botswana is considered Southern Africa’s premier game viewing destination. But it is also known as a very expensive destination. However by using a range of affordable lodges Sunway offers a fully accommodated tour of Botswana at a value for money price.
Botswana Short & Sweet
From an island in the heart of the Okavango Delta to an island in Moremi Game Reserve, this four nights safari is ideal for travellers who are short of time, but who still want an authentic Okavango Delta experience, inclusive of land and water safari activities.
Wildlife And Birds
An abundance of different animal species can be found at the delta during the dry season. Hippos and crocodiles laze in the waters, while elephants, zebras, wildebeests and many more animals roam around the wetlands.
The Big Five can be found here, especially in Moremi Game Reserve. The dry land around and within the wetlands is home to so many wonderful species of wildlife that you are guaranteed some excellent encounters. There are also over 400 recorded species of birds to see in the Okavango Delta.
- Elephant
- Hippo
- Buffalo
- Giraffe
- Elephant
- Hippo
- Giraffe
- Buffalo
- Wildebeest
- Cheetah
- Black Rhino
- Cheetah
- Black rhino
As a source of permanent water, the Okavango Delta is an excellent birdwatching destination. Water birds as well as dry land birds can find plenty of food and water here. Whether you're being guided on a walking safari or poled down the water channels in a mokoro canoe, there are many species that you can encounter and get up close to.
Endangered birds:
- Wattled crane
- Slaty egret
Getting There And Safety
The Okavango Delta is easily reached by flying in from Maun Airport on a charter plane. Charter flights can be booked online or are often booked as a part of a tour package so check with your operator. Alternatively, you could self-drive a 4x4 vehicle from Maun to the most eastern side of the delta.
If you are based in the UK and Europe, check out these flights to Botswana.
If you are based in the USA and Canada, check out these flights to Botswana.
For more details about flights see our Botswana Safari - Complete Travel Guide.
All foreign visitors must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after their visit.
Visas are not required by visitors of many nationalities, who will receive a 30-day entry permit upon arrival.
For more details on visa information see Botswana Safari - Complete Country Guide.
The vaccinations recommended for Botswana are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid.
Boosters are recommended for measles, tetanus and diphtheria.
There is a high risk for malaria in the Okavango Delta so taking anti-malarial drugs is advised.
It’s better to check with your local medical authority, which vaccinations are required.
For more details on information about vaccinations see Botswana Safari - Complete Travel Guide.
Going on a safari in Africa comes with obvious risks. We recommend you get travel insurance for all safaris in Botswana. Make sure your insurance has full medical coverage, emergency air evacuation, repatriation and the standard travel insurance for cancellations, delays and luggage cover.
Check the World Nomads’ travel insurance calculator to see the cost of your safari trip cover.
You will need to pack clothes for both warm and cool weather as it can get very hot during the day and quite cold at night depending on what time of the year you go. Try to pack neutral, earthy toned clothes and avoid bright colours. Other essential items are a hat, sunscreen, toiletries, closed shoes, torch, batteries, insect repellent, binoculars and camera.
For more details on what to pack see our Safari Packing List.