Things to Do in the Okavango Delta

Whether you set off at dawn to catch sights and sounds of the waking African bush, during late afternoon and evening as the wildlife settles in for the night, or under the cover of darkness to see predators at their apex, a game drive in the Okavango is a must-do. As wildlife concentrations here are exceptional, you stand a good chance of seeing elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and much more. Keep an eye out for local water-specialised species such as red lechwe and the rare sitatunga. While the Kwando–Linyanti and Linyanti–Savute areas are better known for their wild dog numbers, you’re also likely to see these ‘painted dogs’ in the Okavango Delta during stays at lodges such as Wilderness Mombo.

Bush walks offer a unique type of wildlife viewing experience. You have a different perspective from a game drive, one in which you’re really able to tune into the sounds, scents, and smaller aspects of the bush. The quiet and personal nature of a bush walk elevates the experience to envelop the big and small, from identifying animal prints to learning about plants, insects, and animals. It’s an intimate and exciting learning experience from some of Africa’s best safari guides. Beagle Expeditions mobile camp is a great option for bush walks.

Hippos and other animals create a maze of channels through the waterways of the Okavango Delta, which make a perfect pathway for exploring the wilderness by mokoro (traditional dugout canoe). Traveling inches above the water while your guide silently pushes the boat along by pole is truly one of the best ways to experience this unique ecosystem. It allows you to get up close to vibrant bird species and quietly glide past big game. We’d recommend staying at a fully water-based camp such as Camp Okavango or Xugana Island Lodge for mokoro experiences.

Many lodges use helicopters to move between camps, but a purely experience-driven private helicopter flight over the Delta can’t be beaten. As thrilling as it is spectacular, you’ll fly low over the glimmering waters and get a glimpse of the true expanse of one of Africa’s most epic wilderness areas. The Okavango Delta is truly the jewel of Botswana, and while the camps here may be pricey, they are also regarded as some of the finest on the continent. We would say that the overall camp standards are the best of any country.