Okavango Delta
Travelers who want wildlife and water-based safari without long drives between sightings
Okavango Delta at a glance
The Okavango Delta is a shallow inland floodplain that fills each year when water from Angola reaches the Kalahari, spreading across channels, lagoons and palm islands. Most trips combine two or three nights in the delta with time on its edges, moving between camps by light aircraft, mokoro and open vehicle.
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Where to base yourself
- MaunThe dusty gateway town on the Thamalakane River, where almost every delta trip begins. Use it for a first night, supplies, domestic flights and last-minute booking changes.
- Eastern delta and MoremiMokoro channels, lagoons and dense game along the Khwai and Mboma areas. Choose it for classic delta scenery with short transfers from Maun.
- Chief's Island and the central deltaElevated islands inside the floodplain with large elephant and buffalo numbers. Camps here sit deep in the water, so most stays are fly-in packages.
- Northern concessionsPrivate reserves bordering the delta where walking safaris and night drives are allowed. Choose them for quieter sightings and smaller vehicle numbers.
A sample 3-day rhythm
- Day 1Fly from Maun to your camp, settle in, then take a late-afternoon game drive or a short mokoro outing as the light softens.
- Day 2Start early for a dawn drive or mokoro channel, keep the hottest hours for camp, and head out again before sunset.
- Day 3Move to a second camp or spend the day on foot with a guide, focusing on tracks, birds and the floodplain's smaller details.
- Day 4One final morning drive, then the light-aircraft flight back to Maun with time for your onward connection.
Want more? Use the planner to stretch this into a full trip.
Tips before you go
- Pack in soft-sided duffels; light-aircraft limits are usually around 15 to 20 kilograms per person including hand baggage.
- Bring neutral-coloured clothing, a warm layer for dawn drives and a hat, because mornings start cold even in winter.
- Carry binoculars; the delta is as much a birding destination as a big-game one.
- Take some pula in small notes for camp tips, crafts and anything bought outside the main lodges.
Common questions
- How do we get between camps?
- Small light aircraft do the work. Flights are short but have strict baggage limits, and they connect the delta's airstrips with Maun and Kasane.
- Is the delta suitable for children?
- Many camps set a minimum age for walking and mokoro activities, often around six to twelve. Family-oriented camps run shorter drives and junior activities instead.
- What does a safari day look like?
- Two outings, one at dawn and one in the late afternoon, with a long rest in camp during the midday heat. Nothing is rushed, and sightings decide the schedule.
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