Okavango Delta Floods
One of Nature's Great Events
Witness the water flood into the desert to create a vibrant wetland. The hot, dry Kalahari Desert appears as an uninhabited wasteland unable to support life.
The Botswana Okavango Delta Floods
Witness the water flood into the desert to create a vibrant wetland
The hot, dry Kalahari Desert appears as an uninhabited wasteland unable to support life. Dried up riverbeds wind through dusty plains; even a light breeze creates swirls of dust in this hot and unrelenting environment.
Then, almost overnight, a natural phenomenon occurs. Water floods into the desert creating a beautiful wetland. At the heart of the Kalahari sands is the Okavango Delta, an expanse of floodplains and forested islands, created by termite mounds that are crisscrossed by an expanse of waterways. As the floodwater filters through to the lagoons and grassy plains, the Okavango Delta becomes an extraordinary hive of animal activity.
Where and When?
The best time to visit is during and immediately after the floods reach the plains. This can be between July and September and is when the wildlife congregates around the water holes and pans. There is a good choice of accommodation in the Okavango Delta and different camps will offer different types of activities depending on their location. Camps in the heart of the floodplains will offer more water-based game viewing, while camps set in the outer-lying dry areas can offer vehicle safaris. We recommend staying in a couple of different camps when you visit the region to get the full experience. Travelling earlier, during the wet season, is not without its highlights as the whole area is a vibrant green and many of the animals give birth providing excellent photo opportunities.
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The Okavango Delta
Encapsulating the heart of wild Africa with its evocative scenes of wildlife and natural beauty, a journey into the untouched Okavango Delta is one of jaw-dropping big game viewing, peace and tranquility. The delta itself is a beautiful fan-shaped wetland and labyrinth of islands and lagoons, all fed by the third largest river in Southern Africa – the Okavango. It has gradually developed and formed over the millennia by millions of tonnes of sand carried down the river from Angola, eventually forming the wildlife-rich oasis it is today.
Often referred to as the ‘jewel of the Kalahari', it seems truly extraordinary that the Okavango exists at all, deep within the arid Kalahari Basin. Flowing from Angola, it enters Botswana at Mohembo, before spilling into the delta. The annual floods occur, ironically, just after the rains in Botswana begin to ease, around April or May, at which time the floodwaters of the Okavango gather pace and breathe new life into the delta’s unique ecosystem.
Journeying through the delta - from wetland to dryland - is a truly unforgettable experience. By motorboat, you can enjoy spectacular views from the upper decks and perhaps spot fish eagles and watch the sun disappear on the horizon with a sundowner. Alternatively, ply through the atmospheric still waters by mokoro, a dugout canoe traditionally made of wood (nowadays usually fiberglass). The mokoro gently glides and meanders through the clear waters, passing papyrus and palm-covered islands and dense woodland. Here the variety of birdlife you will see is impressive, particularly in the summer months, including colourful species like kingfisher and ibis.
The Flood Phenomenon
Every year, the Okavango Delta undergoes a remarkable transformation from desert to wetland, starting in Angola's highlands where the Okavango River originates. During the rainy season, water rushes down, forming the Okavango River.
As the river flows southward, it encounters the Kalahari Desert's flat terrain. Instead of flowing into the sea, it spreads over sands, forming channels, lagoons, and islands. Elephants, the savannah's architects, carve paths through dense vegetation and mud, creating natural spillways. These "elephant highways" facilitate water and nutrient movement. Hippos also contribute to spillway creation.
Annual floodwaters replenish the delta's waterways, nourishing floodplains and forests. This sustains diverse wildlife and aquatic life. It's a vital cycle in one of Earth's few intact inland deltas. The Okavango Delta's flooding isn't just natural—it's crucial for countless species and showcases nature's resilience and ecosystem balance in southern Africa.
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The Wildlife of the Okavango Delta
During the annual floods of the Okavango Delta, a spectacular display of wildlife unfolds. Thousands of animals migrate to the delta, transforming the landscape into a bustling ecosystem. Dragonflies swarm in thick clouds, attracted by the sudden abundance of water. Bullfrogs join in a chorus of celebration, marking the arrival of floodwaters.
The sky turns pink with the return of flamingos, gathering to breed in the delta's nutrient-rich waters. Numerous bird species return, accompanied by a myriad of insects. Great herds of wildebeests, buffalo, and zebra gather to graze on the rejuvenated plains. Elephants and hippos congregate along the waterways, their movements shaping the delta's ecosystem.
Africa's apex predators, including lions and crocodiles, are drawn to the delta's bounty, creating a dynamic balance of predator and prey. The Okavango Delta floods not only sustain this diverse wildlife but also exemplify nature's resilience and beauty in southern Africa.
Why visit Botswana for the Okavango Delta Floods?
While many rivers in the world flow to the sea, the Okavango River ends in its Delta, right in the middle of the southern African landmass.
Rising in the highlands of Angola some 500km away, during the wet season rainfall causes the river to swell, sending a cascade of water down towards the Okavango Delta. Due to the distance involved, it takes time for the water to filter down to the floodplains, with the flood normally arriving at the start of the dry season between July and August.
During the wet season from December to March, Botswana wildlife is widely dispersed. As the outer lying areas dry up and popular waterholes disappear, many animals migrate back into the Okavango Delta to coincide with the floodwater.
The Government of Botswana has established a very successful strategy of low volume, high value tourism to this fragile environment; numbers are strictly limited. You’ll typically stay in a private concession and will not see others during your game drives, boat or walking safaris. This incredible natural wonder receives very low visitor numbers, allowing you to enjoy the spectacle by yourself, in splendid isolation – apart from the thousands of animals.
One of the best ways to explore the region during the flood is by boat. In a mokoro, a small dug-out canoe, follow your guide through a mass of water lilies and bright emerald reed beds, punctuated by the brilliant flashes of blue and yellow of kingfishers. Chiefs Camp on Mombo Island is perfectly located for exploring the floodplains by mokoro and offers some of the best game viewing in Southern Africa.