Okavango Delta

Africa’s Uncharted Water Wilderness

The Okavango Delta in Botswana is a vast wetland area where rivers spread across the savanna, creating islands of green amidst dry grasslands. Water flows from seasonal rains far away to form this unique landscape each year. Animals move through channels and lagoons, finding water and food throughout the year. The delta supports many species including elephants, hippos, birds and fish. Local communities live by fishing and guiding visitors. Boat trips and walking safaris let people see wildlife up close without disturbing habitats.

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Nature Reserve in Botswana

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.6

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	2
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	2

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5/5

English is widely spoken in the tourism sector, ensuring easy communication for visitors. Local guides and staff are fluent, making for a seamless experience.

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Last update: 26 Oct 2026

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Okavango Delta Summary

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World-class for wildlife safaris and wetlands. Glide through channels by boat, spot elephants and hippos and enjoy guided game drives across remote landscapes.

Place score

8.0

Best at:

Natural sites

Wildlife

Rivers

Luxury

Secluded

Personal score

Suited for

👶 4

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

♻️ 8

Sustainability

Botswana – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type M Type C: Type M: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Botswana Pula (BWP) £1 ≈ BWP 18.38
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in Botswana, particularly in larger cities like Gaborone. However, cash is still widely accepted. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Botswana. It is customary to leave 10% in restaurants. Taxi drivers and hotel staff also appreciate small tips.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not widely accepted in Botswana, though alcohol can be consumed in licensed venues or private areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in most indoor public spaces, including restaurants and bars.

Botswana Day (September)	Expect national celebrations with parades and public events.
New Year’s Day (January)	Expect public celebrations and some business closures.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 999
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Uber
Other:	Botswana is known for its breathtaking landscapes, including the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, offering incredible wildlife viewing opportunities.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Okavango Delta, Botswana

🌦️

Jan

🌦️

Feb

🔥

Mar

🔥

Apr

🔥

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

🔥

Oct

🔥

Nov

🌦️

Dec

High season:	June - Oct.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Nov.
Crowdedness:	5 (Moderate tourist numbers)

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Climate details

Flood waters arrive from Angola April to July and peak June to August, so water levels in the Delta peak in the dry season

Many camps close or cut rates during the rainy season, mainly December to March

Book camps and flights 9 to 12 months ahead for June to October

Don't miss

🦁 Explore the wildlife on guided 4x4 safari drives
🛶 Glide silently through waterways in a traditional mokoro
🦜 Spot diverse bird species during dedicated birding tours
🚁 Take scenic helicopter flights over the delta’s vastness
🥾 Experience walking safaris to discover bush flora and fauna
🎣 Enjoy catch-and-release tiger fishing in seasonal waters

You've been here?

Why travel to Okavango Delta?

The Okavango Delta is a dream for safari lovers. Unlike traditional dry-land safaris, here you glide through the waterways in a mokoro (traditional canoe), spotting elephants, hippos and rare bird species along the way. The seasonal floods transform the landscape, creating an ever-changing paradise for nature enthusiasts. However, luxury lodges dominate, making it an expensive destination and its remoteness means getting here requires some planning.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Vumbura Plains Camp
2 Selinda Spillway
3 NG/19 Khwai Community Concession
4 NG/25 Jao Concession
5 Gomoti Plains

🎡Places for activities

1 NG/28 Moremi Game Reserve
2 NG/31 Chitabe and Sandibe Concession
3 Khwai River
4 Duba Plains

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Caprivi Strip
2 Xugana Lagoon
3 Okavango
4 Gomoti River
5 Chief's Island
6 Tsodilo Hills Airstrip

🎈Events

Maun Festival
Kuru Dance Festival
Toyota 1000 Desert Race
Okavango Delta Annual Cleanup
Domboshaba Cultural Festival
Kasane Fishing Festival
Botswana Independence Celebrations
Tsodilo Hills Cultural Festival
Makgadikgadi Epic
Mokoro Racing Festival

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Knowledge before you go

Pack light; most camps require strict small-plane luggage limits.
Visit June to September for peak floodwaters, clear skies and excellent game viewing.
Expect water-based safaris; mokoro rides and boat trips vary by camp and season.
Choose a concession combining wetlands and dry islands for more varied wildlife, especially in cooler months.

How to travel to Okavango Delta

Most visitors fly into Maun Airport, the main gateway to the delta, then take a light aircraft or boat to their lodge. Overland access is limited, with rough roads only reaching some areas like Moremi.

Access summary

From Maun Airport (MUB): light aircraft or 4x4, about 0.5–4 hours.
From Johannesburg or Cape Town: flight to Maun, then short charter hop.
From Kasane/Chobe: regional flight or long 4x4 transfer, often 2–6 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Okavango Delta

Okavango offers high-end lodges and mobile safaris, with very few budget options. Most accommodations are in private concessions, ensuring exclusivity but also higher costs.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Boteti Tented Safari Lodge

8.9

Cresta Maun

7.4

Nako Okavango Guesthoues

7.3

Ngami gates Boutique Guest House

Staymorr Boutique Guest House

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Okavango Delta

Travel is mainly by boat or light aircraft, as there are no roads in most areas. Mokoro (canoe) safaris offer an intimate way to explore, while 4x4 vehicles are used in drier regions like Moremi.

Budget snapshot

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Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-13 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to BWP) is 13% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Safety information overview

General safety

The delta is safe for tourists, but wildlife encounters require caution. Always follow guide instructions and avoid swimming due to crocodiles and hippos.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are scarce, with basic clinics in Maun. Malaria risk exists, so prophylaxis is recommended. Emergency evacuations may be needed for serious cases.

Accessibility

Limited accessibility due to remote location. Travel is mainly by small aircraft, boats or 4x4. Most lodges cater to able-bodied guests; wheelchair accessibility is rare.

Tap water

Lodges provide safe drinking water, but tap water in remote areas is not recommended. Bring a reusable bottle or purification tablets for extra precaution.