The Okavango Delta

 

The Okavango Delta is an inland Oasis set in the middle of the largest continuous stretch of sand, Kalahari basin. The catchment of the Okavango River is in Angola. The River then flows through the Caprivi Strip of Namibia. In Botswana the River flows into a tectonic trough where it transforms into the Okavango Delta.

 

Every year, 11 cubic kilometers of water flow into the Okavango Delta, over an area of  6 00016 000 Km2. Most of the waters will transpire through plants, some through evaporation. Some of the waters will reach Lake Ngami, while some will flow east into Moremi Game Reserve.

 

For millions of years, the Okavango Delta has stayed intact and relatively under developed. The human activity was kept away by an infestation of Tsetse fly and Malaria. It is thus that the Okavango Delta is perhaps the most pristine inland wetland in Africa, today. It is thus that the Okavango Delta is this unique ecosystem that is home to an abundance of wildlife.

 

 

Best Time to Visit

March to November: The best time to come to the Okavango Delta is in the drier months of the year when there are concentrations of wildlife along the permanent rivers and swamp.

 

 

Expected Wildlife

The wildlife in the Okavango Delta is spectacular among the best in the world. Huge herds of Elephants and Buffalo can be seen here, all the main cats, hyenas, Wild Dogs and many antelope, including the rare and shy Sitatunga. The Sitatunga has elongated hooves which enable it to walk on floating vegetation. One of the most common antelope in the Okavango is the Red Lechwe. Hippos are numerous. The animals roam freely in a huge wildlife area which covers almost all of the Okavango Delta.