A Journey

Through Diverse Ecosystems

Imagine a place where water meets desert in a dance of life, where vast floodplains teem with wildlife, and each turn reveals a new and breathtaking vista. Welcome to the Okavango Delta in Botswana, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its remarkable biodiversity and captivating landscapes. Spanning approximately 22,000 square kilometers, this watery wonderland is a maze of channels, lagoons, islands, and floodplains, each creating a unique, ever-changing environment.

Every corner of the Delta hosts its own distinct ecosystem, making it a dream destination for wildlife enthusiasts and intrepid explorers. From the lush greenery of Moremi Game Reserve to the raw beauty of the Mababe Depression, the Delta offers an array of experiences that cater to every adventurer's heart.

Let’s explore what makes each area distinct, which parts are the most untamed and least explored, where specific animals thrive, and where to find the best big game and least crowded spots. Additionally, we’ll venture into the adjacent Linyanti, Savuti, and Mababe Depression areas, each offering its own wild and rugged safari experiences.

Moremi Game Reserve: The Heart of the Delta

Ecosystem: Floodplains, forests, and lagoons

Venture into the heart of the Delta, where the most untamed and least explored regions lie. Here, the true spirit of the wilderness unfolds, offering solitude and a sense of discovery that is increasingly rare. The remote corners of the Delta are a sanctuary for elusive species and provide the perfect setting for those seeking an intimate connection with nature.
Moremi Game Reserve is the beating heart of the Okavango Delta. It encompasses a variety of ecosystems, from mopane woodlands and acacia forests to floodplains and lagoons. This diversity supports a rich array of wildlife, including the Big Five.

Highlights:

Wildlife: Elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos.
Activities: Game drives, boat safaris, and mokoro excursions.
Crowds: More popular and slightly busier due to its accessibility and abundant wildlife.

Chief's Island: The Jewel of the Delta

Ecosystem: Dry land and seasonal floodplains

Chief’s Island, the largest landmass in the Delta, is famed for its high concentration of wildlife and offers some of the best game viewing opportunities. During the flood season, the surrounding waters isolate the island, creating a sanctuary for many species.

Highlights:

Wildlife: High densities of big game, including lions, leopards, and elephants.
Activities: Exclusive game drives and walking safaris.
Crowds: Moderately visited, known for luxury safari lodges.

Panhandle: The Gateway to the Delta

Ecosystem: Permanent waterways and papyrus swamps

The Panhandle is the northern part of the Delta, where the Okavango River fans out into the wetland. It’s characterized by deep channels and papyrus swamps, making it a haven for birdlife and aquatic species.

Highlights:

Wildlife: Hippos, crocodiles, and an array of bird species, including the rare Pel’s fishing owl.
Activities: Fishing, bird watching, and boat trips.
Crowds: Less crowded, ideal for fishing and birding enthusiasts.

Jao Flats: Untamed Wilderness

Ecosystem: Seasonal floodplains and palm islands

Jao Flats is considered one of the most untamed and least explored parts of the Delta. The seasonal floodplains and palm-dotted islands create a wild and unpredictable environment, making it a true adventure for explorers. The eastern Jao Flats feature intricate water channels amid papyrus and reed beds, dotted with lush palm islands. Moving westward, the terrain becomes drier, culminating in Hunda Island, prominent during the July to September dry season. Here, sandveld vegetation supports abundant wildlife. Visitors encounter red lechwe herds, predators like lion and leopard, and common sightings of hippo, Nile crocodile, and various antelope species. Birdwatchers will appreciate species such as wattled crane, Pel’s fishing-owl, and Meyer’s parrot. The area boasts iconic plant life like bulrushes, papyrus stands, and wild date palms, alongside mystical gwarri bushes.

Highlights:

Wildlife: Predators like lions and hyenas, hippos, Nile Crocodile and large herds of buffalo.
Activities: Remote game drives and mokoro trips.
Crowds: Remote and less visited, providing an authentic wilderness experience.

Mopane Tongue: A Predator’s Playground

Ecosystem: Dry woodlands and floodplains

The Mopane Tongue is an area where the mopane woodlands meet the floodplains, creating a rich habitat for predators. This area is known for its high predator activity, especially during the dry season when animals converge on the remaining water sources.

Highlights:

Wildlife: High density of lions, leopards, and wild dogs.
Activities: Game drives focused on predator sightings.
Crowds: Moderately visited, but less crowded than Moremi.

Venturing Beyond the Delta

Linyanti: A Remote Paradise

Ecosystem: Marshes, riverine forests, and floodplains

Elephants abound in the Linyanti, famed for hosting the world’s largest megaherds as they journey through ancient migratory corridors. This rich landscape draws a high density of predators, including a thriving population of endangered African wild dogs. Located hundreds of miles from civilization, the Linyanti is an untouched wilderness. Its vast grasslands, floodplains, and mopane woodlands create a diverse habitat at the junction of the Linyanti River and the Savuti Channel, making it a sanctuary for wildlife.

Highlights:

Wildlife: Elephants, wild dogs, lions, and hippos.
Activities: Game drives, boat safaris, and walking safaris.
Crowds: Very remote and exclusive, ideal for an intimate safari experience.

Mababe Depression: A Dynamic Wilderness

Ecosystem: Floodplains and seasonal wetlands

One of Botswana's most unique ecosystems is the legendary Mababe Depression, with its vast grasslands and immense expanse. Picture a place where witnessing lion kills daily, and often multiple times a day, is the norm. Imagine flying over a buffalo herd so large that it takes a solid ten minutes to cross. Marvel at the zebra migration, creating a mesmerizing world of black and white. In the summer, the Mababe Depression transforms into a 2,600-hectare wetland, which gradually recedes but never fully disappears in the dry season. Permanent water sources sustain nutrient-rich grasslands, attracting great herds. Here, it's common to see vast buffalo herds, hundreds of tsessebe, and large prides of lions trailing them. You don’t want to miss this unique and less explored region!

Highlights:

Wildlife: Elephants, buffalo, lions, and a variety of bird species.
Activities: Game drives and bird watching.
Crowds: Less visited, offering a secluded and dynamic safari experience.

chobe: The Land of Giants

Ecosystem: Grasslands, marshes, and river channels

Chobe National Park, located in northern Botswana, is renowned for it’s immense elephant population. Chobe hosts some of the largest elephant herds in Africa, with thousands of these majestic creatures congregating along the Chobe River. Chobe's vibrant ecosystem supports a healthy population of predators, including lions, leopards, and hyenas. The park is also home to one of the largest concentrations of endangered African wild dogs. Chobe National Park is a paradise for bird watchers, boasting over 450 bird species. From the colorful carmine bee-eaters and African fish eagles to the elusive Pel’s fishing owl, the park’s avian diversity is remarkable.The varied landscapes of Chobe add to its allure. The Chobe Riverfront is lush and green, providing a stark contrast to the dry, arid interior of the Savuti Marsh.

Highlights:

Wildlife: High concentration of elephants, lions, hyenas, and zebras.
Activities: Game drives and seasonal walking safaris.
Crowds: Popular, but still offers a raw and rugged experience.

Makgadikgadi Pan: The Salt Flats of Botswana

Ecosystem: Salt pans, grasslands, and seasonal wetlands

Explore the vast expanse of the Makgadikgadi Pan, one of the largest salt flats in the world. Located in northeastern Botswana, these surreal landscapes offer a stark, yet mesmerizing beauty. During the dry season, the pans become an endless white horizon, while the rainy season transforms them into lush wetlands teeming with life.

Highlights:

Wildlife: Zebras, wildebeests, flamingos, and meerkats.

Activities: Quad biking, guided walks with San Bushmen, horseback riding and wildlife viewing during the rainy season.

Crowds: Less crowded, providing a more tranquil, solitary and out-of-worldly experience.

Botswana’s Okavango Delta and its surrounding regions are mosaics of diverse ecosystems, each offering unique wildlife experiences and varying levels of adventure. From the bustling wildlife of Moremi Game Reserve to the serene and less explored Nxaraga Lagoon, the Delta caters to every type of safari enthusiast. Whether you seek the untamed wilderness of Jao Flats, the predator-rich Mopane Tongue, or the birding paradise of the Panhandle, the Okavango Delta promises an unforgettable journey into Africa’s wild heart. Beyond the Delta, Linyanti’s remote paradise, Savuti’s dramatic landscapes, and Mababe Depression’s dynamic wilderness each provide raw, rugged, and thrilling safari experiences. Embark on an exploration of these natural wonders and discover the magic that makes Botswana a premier safari destination.

plan your Botswana trip

Connect with us