The magical and world famous Okavango Delta is one of the absolute highlights of a trip to Botswana. In the Okavango Delta, the Okavango River meets the Kalahari and forms the world's largest inland delta, one of the last great wilderness paradises of our planet.
Geography and climate of the Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta consists of a large number of main channels and tributaries of the Okavango River, forming lagoons, floodplains, smaller islands and larger mainland areas. In general, a distinction can be made between the permanent wetlands, which carry water throughout the year, and the temporary wetlands, which are flooded annually from March to July.
The climate of the Okavango Delta is characterized by long, hot summers (November - March) and short, cooler winters (June - August), as in the rest of Botswana. However in the Okavango Delta, the winter nighttime temperatures are not as low as in the Kalahari. In August, the temperature drops to around 11 ° C in the night.
The permanently water-bearing swamp areas are dominated by forests of wild date palms and papyrus, which stand on islands and lagoons. Water lilies often cover these lakes and offer great photo opportunities. In the seasonal wetlands, there are more open, grassy areas that are filled with water during the winter flood season. On the edges of these plains fan palms, sausage and fig trees are growing in large numbers.
The Okavango Delta is famous for an incredible abundance of. Over a hundred species of mammals, more than 400 species of birds, dozens of reptile and amphibian species are found in large numbers. Buffalo, zebras, elephants and huge antelope herds, giraffes, predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs and the rare African wild dogs, aquatic animals like crocodiles and hippopotamus and of course a very high density of birds make the Okavango Delta a kind of garden of Eden in Botswana.
Places of interest - Okavango Delta
In the Okavango Delta region almost everything revolves around game viewing in this fascinating natural paradise. The enormous wealth of game can be discovered best from the air (flight or hot air balloon ride), in the water (boat or dugout canoo) or on land (4x4 game drive ). Self drive safaris in the Okavango Delta are limited as there are hardly any paved roads. Almost all activities are organized by the accommodations in the Okavango Delta itself. Here is further information:
The Abu Camp is a special and exclusive camp in the Okavango Delta, named after an elephant of the resident elephant herd. The camp provides six individually styled en-suite tents each featuring an indoor and outdoor shower and a plunge pool sunk into the elevated teak deck.
Camp Okavango is an exclusive lodge in the Okavango Delta. It is located on Nxaragha Island, a remote water paradise. The lodge is limited to 24 guests in eleven Safari suites and one family suite. All suites have large sleeping and lounge areas and en-suite bathrooms. The suites have all private terraces build on raised platforms offering great views.
Luxury camp in the south-east of the Okavango Delta
Chitabe Camp is a luxury lodge, situated in the south-east of the Okavango Delta. The area around the camp - an island in the private Chitabe concession - is famous for its unbelievable numbers and diversity of wildlife, in particular predators.
Intimate camp in the south-east of the Okavango Delta
Chitabe Lediba Camp, a sister camp of the well-known Chitabe Camp, is an intimate luxury lodge, ideal for small groups of travelers and families. The camp is situated in Chitabe Concession, bordering the breathtaking Moremi Game Reserve.
Gomoti Plains Camp is a luxury tented camp situated in the eastern part of the Okavango Delta, close to the Gomoti plains, a protected wildlife area with a high concentration of elephant, buffalo, large predators and plains game. The camp has 10 luxury tents including two family tents, decorated in a classic safari style.
Exclusive lodge at Chief's Island (Okavango Delta)
Gunns Camp is a luxury vintage safari camp in the Okavango Delta overlooking the famous Chief’s Island at the border of the Moremi Game Reserve. The camp offers exclusive accommodation in only six fully furnished Meru tents with en-suite bathrooms. The tents are built on raised wooden platforms and have a veranda ensuring privacy and tranquility.
Jacana Camp is a lodge in the Okavango Delta, located on a beautiful island in the Jao Concession. Guests find accommodation in five en-suite Meru-style tents, including a family tent, built on wooden decks with great views of the surrounding water world.
Jao Camp is a luxury, exclusive lodge situated in the heart of the Okavango Delta. The camp offers accommodation in nine spacious and beautifully-designed tents. Each tent comprises an indoor and outdoor shower as well as a the private sala with fascinating views.
Camp in the south-western part of the Okavango Delta
Kanana is located at the Xudum River in the southwestern part of the Okavango Delta, which is considered particularly rich in wildlife. Guests will find luxurious accommodation in seven comfortable safari tents built on teak decks.
Kwara Camp offers an exclusive Wildlife experience in the eastern part of the Okavango Delta. The camp is overlooking a secluded lagoon and provides accommodation in eight traditionally styled tents on raised decks with open-air showers.
Kwetsani Camp is a luxury tree-house camp in the centre of the Jao Concession, Okavango Delta. The camp is situated on a paradisiac island within the floodplains of the Okavango river. Kwetsani offers five canvas “tree-house” chalets, beautifully furnished with bedroom and lounge.
LITTLE KWARA IS CLOSED FOR REBUILD.Little Kwara is an exclusive camp in the Okavango Delta. The camp is overlooking a secluded lagoon and provides exclusive accommodation in only five luxury tents on raised decks.
Little Tubu offers an exceptional and intimate bush experience in the Okavango Delta in three traditional-style tents that are raised on wooden platforms. Each tent offers a private viewing deck, an outdoor shower and en-suite bathroom facilities.
Little Vumbura is an exclusive camp situated in the northern reaches of the Okavango Delta. The camp offers accommodation in six tented rooms shaded by an ancient forest. Each tent has en-suite facilities and a deck overlooking the surrounding floodplains. The main area of Little Vumbura offers a plunge pool, a reading area with beautiful vistas and a dining area.
Moremi Crossing is a luxury camp situated on the border of the Moremi Game Reserve, overlooking the famous Chief’s Island. It offers 16 safari tents on raised decks, each with their own veranda overlooking the island.
Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp is a luxury lodge in the Okavango Delta, situated in a 25000 hectare wildlife concession. The lodge offers 9 elegant safari tents set on raised decks (including one family tent) each comprising of a private veranda and a sala. The lodge also has a swimming pool and a souvenir shop.
Pelo camp is an adventure camp in the Jao concession located on a small island in the Okavango Delta. There are five comfortable guest tents with a covered front veranda and indoor and outdoor showers. Pelo Camp’s main area comprises a dining area with lounge, an outdoor boma and raised deck for perfect sundowners.
Pom Pom Camp is located on Pom Pom Island, a private concession in the Okavango Delta. The camp borders the fascinating Moremi Wildlife Reserve and offers a superb wilderness experience in Botswana.
Qorokwe is an exclusive camp located at a beautiful lagoon in the Qorokwe Concession, which borders the Moremi Game Reserve to the southeast. The concession covers 26,180 hectares and is rich in wildlife even for Okavango-Delta conditions.
Rra Dinare Camp is a luxury camp situated in a private concession of 272 km2 on the south eastern side of the Okavango Delta, bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. The camp offers 8 exclusive tents overlooking the Gomoti River floodplains.
Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge is a stylish lodge situated on a private concession at the border of the Moremi Game Reserve. Sandibe offers eight elegant suites nestling between wild palms and gnarled fig trees.
Family-friendly classic camp in the Okavango Delta
Seba Camp is a family-friendly camp in the Abu concession, which is part of the Okavango Delta. The camp offers accommodation in eight elevated tents with en-suite bathroom and a private deck with superb vistas onto the perennial lagoon. The camp comprises two family suites as well.
Shinde is a luxury camp in the Okavango Delta, which combines the classic style of a good old Okavango lodge with the current demands of a modern, exclusive Botswana safari. There are 8 safari tents available, built and furnished in distinctive Okavango style.
Tubu Tree Camp is a unique luxury camp in the Okavango Delta built with elevated wooden walkways connecting eight tents on raised platforms. Each tent comprises a private deck with picturesque lookouts of the surrounding floodplains, en-suite bathroom facilities and an outdoor shower.
Vumbura Plains Camp is a luxury camp in the Okavango Delta which comprises two seperate camps, Vumbura North and Vumbura South. The camp consists of 14 thatched rooms overall, including two family units.
Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp is a luxury camp located on its own island within a 272 000 hectare wildlife concession, offering an exclusive Safari experience in Botswana. The lodge consists of 9 air-conditioned tented suites with private plunge pools for hot summer days. Each suite has a pavilion for massages and outdoor and indoor showers.
Xaxaba Mobile Camp is a basic camp run by the local community. The camp is based on a private island in the heart of the Okavango Delta and moves between three different locations dependent on wildlife activity and water levels.
Xobega Island Camp is a rustic camp in the Okavango Delta, ideally located to be easily accessible for self-drivers or fly-in guests. Affordable accommodation is provided in ten meru-style en-suite tents with twin beds and open-bathrooms.
Xudum Okavango Delta Lodge is a top class lodge in the Okavango Delta, combining innovative design with the natural and wild atmosphere of the 272 000 hectare wildlife concession it is located in.
Xugana Island Lodge is situated on a private concession in the Okavango Delta. Its location at the Xugana Lagoon is recognized as a water paradise with spectacular birding and game viewing opportunities.