The Okavango Delta looks like a natural wonder as the crystal clear water comes streaming into the Kalahari Desert and creates a lively oasis of wildlife and plants once a year. After a long and dry summer in the desert, the Okavango River will be completely drained by the end of February. But come March, and the rainwater that fell in Angola a month earlier will have made it’s way down to Botswana and the Okavango Delta. From March till June the Okavango River will increase in size and eventually it forms the largest inland delta in the world!
Wildlife in the Okavango Delta
During the dry season, most of the wildlife in the region will have migrated elsewhere. But as the water starts flooding in, the animals will follow. And there is a huge variety of species that live here during the wet season, including Elephants, Hippos, Buffalos, Lechwe Antelopes, Crocodiles, Lions, Cheetas, Leopards, Rhino, Hyena, Zebra and so on. The list seems never ending and also features over 400 different bird species.
The total count of animals during the wet season exceeds 200 000 large mammals, which should provide enough wildlife for even the pickiest safari tourists!
Safaris in the Okavango Delta
The delta forms a huge labyrinth of slow moving rivers and can be a confusing place to navigate through on your own. But with experienced safari guides, you will be able to see the most beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife either by foot, boat, game drives, horse back or even elephant back!! If you choose to go on your own, you will have to go by car and stick to the roads, but still you will be guaranteed to see lots and lots of wildlife if you travel at the right time of the year!
Beautiful photography!