Okavango Delta (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Okavango Delta Safari | Luxury Botswana Safaris

Experience the Okavango Delta with exclusive mokoro safaris, wildlife-rich islands, and world-class luxury camps in Botswana.

The Okavango Delta in north-west Botswana is a vast, pristine inland delta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its exceptional beauty and unique ecosystem. It is one of the very few major interior delta systems that does not flow into a sea or ocean, with its waters draining instead into the sands of the Kalahari Desert.

The site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre list in 2014, as the 1000th site, under natural criteria (vii, ix, and x)

• Unique Hydrology: The annual flooding from the Okavango River, originating in the Angolan highlands, occurs during Botswana's dry season (June/July), revitalizing the ecosystem at a critical time of year. Plants and animals have synchronised their biological cycles with this seasonal flooding.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: The delta is a sanctuary for a wide array of wildlife and plant species, supporting significant populations of some of the world's most endangered large mammals such as the cheetah, white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, African wild dog, and lion. It is also recognised as an Important Bird Area, with over 480 species recorded.
• Landscape: The delta is a mosaic of permanent marshlands, seasonally flooded plains, and thousands of islands (including the large Chief's Island), creating a stunning juxtaposition of a vibrant wetland within an arid desert landscape.

• Mokoro Safaris: Glide silently through narrow channels in a traditional dugout canoe (now often made of fibreglass for conservation) steered by a local poler.
• Game Drives: Explore the dryland areas and seasonal floodplains in a 4x4 vehicle to see large game and predators in areas like the Moremi Game Reserve and Khwai Concession.
• Walking Safaris: Led by experienced, armed guides, these walks offer an intimate understanding of the delta's smaller details, such as animal tracks, plants, and insects.
• Scenic Flights: Take a fixed-wing plane or helicopter tour from Maun for a breathtaking aerial view of the delta's intricate network of water and islands, especially stunning during peak flood.
• Boat Cruises and Fishing: Motorboat trips allow for covering longer distances to observe hippos and crocodiles, while catch-and-release fishing for species like tigerfish is also available in some areas.