The Okavango River rises in the highlands of Angola and flows southeast into the Kalahari, where it spreads out into a delta formation covering a six thousand square mile maze of lagoons, channels and islands with a lush water wilderness of papyrus swamps, shallow reed-beds and floodplains, resulting in its name "the river that never finds the sea". This is the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Africa.
Okavango Delta - Unique African Safari Experience
Botswana's Okavango Delta has to be one of the most incredible places in the world to view wildlife. Here nature lovers get up real close within an unique eco-system that is still unspoiled and quite spectacularly beautiful.
The heart of the Okavango Delta is the Moremi Game Reserve, an area of land that is mostly dry throughout the year. The Delta is divided into large private reserves (concessions) leased out by the Botswana Government under strict guidelines. Some of these camps offer the highest quality, exclusive African safari experiences.
Camp Life in the Okavango Delta
An African safari in the Okavango Delta is like no other. Life in the camps has a lazy routine – up before dawn for a coffee and a game drive/activity. Breakfast/brunch at about 10. All day relaxing in camp. Maybe another game drive/activity at about four. Dinner at 8.30 on return from a night game drive.
There are many camps; most have no road access like Kwara and you have to fly in to their private airstrip. Exotic names abound, like Nxabega and Pom Pom Camp. The legendary Oddballs Palm Island Lodge on Chiefs' Island is famous for legendary 'Skull bar'.
Eagle Island Camp is situated on the island of Xaxaba; Sandibe Safari Lodge on the Santandibe River and Baines Camp, in the southern part of the Okavango Delta, is surrounded by water.
At Duba Plains there are only five "tents", so there are never more than ten guests. Guests at Kwetsani say the tree top rooms are great and the views looking out over the Delta while sitting on the deck are spectacular. A popular choice is Jao - imagine an outdoor shower with a view of the Okavango Delta.
A favourite activity of all visitors to the Okavango Delta in Botswana is gliding silently in a Mokoro (a dugout canoe), to watch the wildlife at eye level.
African Safari's on Foot, Horseback or Elephant
For those who prefer a more energetic way of spending their African Safari Vacation, how about a Mobile Camping Safari? You can also do your safari on horseback, on foot or, as in the case of Camp Abu, on the Western side of the Delta, on Elephant back.
Best Time to Visit the Okavango Delta
Time the visit to Botswana carefully. Okavango Delta experiences are very different depending on the season - high (dry) season in winter and low (rainy) season in summer.
The magic of the Okavango Delta is accessed by air from the gateway town of Maun, Botswana. Flying time to the lodges is between 20 and 60 minutes.
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