Okavango

The Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most captivating and pristine wildernesses, offering travelers an unforgettable safari experience. Whether you are seeking luxury or a more adventurous trip, the Okavango provides a wealth of activities, breathtaking scenery, and diverse wildlife that will make your visit extraordinary. From game drives to mokoro safaris, cultural experiences to stargazing in the vast open spaces, the Okavango is a destination for true nature lovers and adventure seekers.

Top Tourist Attractions in the Okavango

  1. Okavango Delta
    • The delta itself is the main attraction, a vast labyrinth of water channels, lagoons, and islands. It’s a haven for wildlife and a true wilderness experience.
    • Visitors can explore it by traditional mokoro (dugout canoe), motorboat, or on foot, creating a serene and immersive adventure.
  2. Moremi Game Reserve
    • Located in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Moremi is one of Botswana’s premier game reserves. It offers an extraordinary diversity of landscapes, from floodplains to dry woodlands, making it a fantastic spot for game viewing.
    • The reserve is home to a wide array of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs, and a wealth of bird species.
  3. Makgadikgadi Pans
    • This vast salt pan is the remnants of an ancient lake that once covered much of Botswana. Visitors come for the otherworldly landscape and the unique experiences, including quad biking across the dry pans and observing the migration of zebras and wildebeest.
  4. Nxai Pan National Park
    • Known for its breathtaking scenery and unique wildlife, Nxai Pan is a seasonal haven for animals, especially during the wet season. The famous Baines’ Baobabs, a group of ancient baobab trees, is also a major attraction.
  5. Okavango Panhandle
    • The Okavango Panhandle offers serene river experiences. Visitors can explore it by boat or canoe, enjoying scenic beauty and birdwatching, as well as learning about local communities who rely on the river.
  6. Tsodilo Hills
    • Known as the “Louvre of the Desert,” Tsodilo Hills is a UNESCO World Heritage site home to over 4,500 ancient rock paintings. The site is considered sacred by local tribes and offers a cultural journey as well as hiking opportunities.
Okavango Delta
Moremi Game Reserve
Makgadikgadi Pans
Nxai National Park
Okavango Panhandle
Tsodilo Hills

National Parks in the Okavango Region

  1. Moremi Game Reserve
    • Features: It is one of the first reserves in Africa to be created by local indigenous communities. It spans across a range of habitats, offering a mix of waterways, forests, and savannah.
    • Wildlife: The reserve is known for its large populations of elephants, lions, leopards, and endangered wild dogs.
  2. Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
    • Features: A surreal salt pan landscape, it is one of the largest in the world and provides a stunning contrast to the lush Okavango Delta. It’s ideal for exploring unique ecosystems and observing seasonal migrations.
    • Wildlife: During the wet season, it is an important site for the zebra and wildebeest migrations.
  3. Nxai Pan National Park
    • Features: A park known for its dramatic baobab trees and seasonal wildlife migrations. It offers vast, open landscapes with seasonal rains bringing large herds of antelope, zebra, and lions.
    • Wildlife: Antelopes, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, and the famous Baines’ Baobabs.

Accommodation in the Okavango

  1. Luxury Safari Lodges & Camps
    • San Camp (Makgadikgadi Pans)
      An exclusive tented camp located near the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, offering luxurious accommodations in the middle of the desert. Guests can enjoy private game drives, quad biking, and walking safaris.
    • Jao Camp (Okavango Delta)
      One of the most luxurious camps in the Okavango Delta, Jao Camp offers intimate experiences with beautiful tented suites overlooking the water, with activities including mokoro trips, game drives, and guided walking safaris.
    • Belmond Eagle Island Lodge (Okavango Delta)
      A high-end, all-inclusive lodge offering panoramic views of the delta. The lodge features spacious luxury tents and offers activities such as scenic flights, boat cruises, and wildlife viewing.
San Camp
Jao Camp
Belmond Eagle Island Lodge
  1. Mid-Range Lodges & Camps
    • Xakanaxa Camp (Moremi Game Reserve)
      Situated along the Khwai River in the Moremi Game Reserve, Xakanaxa Camp offers comfortable tents with en-suite bathrooms, providing a classic safari experience.
    • Kwara Camp (Okavango Delta)
      A more affordable option located in the northern part of the Okavango Delta, Kwara Camp offers excellent game viewing and seasonal experiences depending on water levels.
Xakanaxa Camp
Camp Kwara
  1. Budget & Self-Catering
    • Third Bridge Campsite (Moremi Game Reserve)
      A popular camping site offering self-catering options for those who want a more rugged, yet still comfortable, experience while staying within the reserve.
    • Nguma Island Lodge (Okavango Delta)
      A rustic lodge offering self-catering facilities and the chance to immerse yourself in the Okavango wilderness.

Activities in the Okavango

  1. Mokoro (Canoe) Safaris
    • Experience the Okavango Delta from the water by taking a traditional mokoro ride, a peaceful and intimate way to explore the water channels and observe wildlife like elephants, hippos, and birds.
  2. Game Drives
    • Embark on exciting 4×4 safari drives in the Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, or Makgadikgadi Pans to see the incredible wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, and cheetahs.
  3. Walking Safaris
    • Get up close with nature and learn about the ecosystem on foot. Experienced guides lead walking safaris, allowing you to explore the smaller details of the landscape and observe animals from a different perspective.
  4. Birdwatching
    • The Okavango Delta is a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to over 500 species. Some notable species include the endangered wattled crane, pelicans, and the African fish eagle.
  5. Scenic Flights & Helicopter Rides
    • Take a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta for a bird’s-eye view of the lush, winding waterways and the diverse wildlife. It’s a great way to see the full extent of this magnificent area.
  6. Cultural Tours
    • Visit local villages around the Okavango Delta to learn about the indigenous cultures, including the Wayeyi, Hambukushu, and Batswana people. These tours offer insight into their way of life, traditions, and connection to the land.
  7. Quad Biking & Horseback Riding
    • Experience the Makgadikgadi Pans on a quad bike or horseback. Both offer unique perspectives on the landscape and wildlife, especially during the wet season when animals are migrating.