As the world’s largest inland Delta, the Okavango offers a one-of-a-kind wildlife experience. Rainfall from the mountains of Angola reaches the delta in May, transforming the landscape. This vast area, spanning approximately 6,000 square kms, includes swamps, plains, and forests interwoven with papyrus-edged channels, creating a rich habitat for a diverse array of species. The delta is home to 122 species of mammals, 71 species of fish, 444 species of birds, 64 species of reptiles, and over 1,300 species of flowering plants.

The Okavango Delta was formed when the Okavango River’s route to the Indian Ocean was blocked by geological shifts thousands of years ago. As a result, the river spills into a complex network of lagoons, channels, and marshlands. Over 2,000,000 tonnes of silt are deposited annually, causing the riverbed to shift constantly and perpetuating the Delta’s dynamic landscape. Remarkably, less than 5% of the water entering the delta exits, with the majority evaporating in the arid Kalahari Desert.

The Okavango’s swamps are dominated by papyrus and phoenix palms, creating a lush environment where hippos wallow in cool waters and crocodiles prey on fish and grazing animals. The surrounding forests and grasslands are home to numerous herbivores, which in turn attract predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and hyenas. The open savannah also supports elephants and giraffes, adding to the Delta’s remarkable biodiversity.

Staying in a private concession offers guests high standards of accommodation, low visitor numbers, and a fantastic variety of activities. These camps are typically categorized as either ‘wet’ or ‘dry.’

Wet Camps: Wet or island-based camps focus largely although not exclusively on boat-based activities, providing an authentic wetland experience with exceptional scenery and birdlife. Guests can expect to see shyer species like the sitatunga. The traditional mokoro, a hollowed-out tree canoe, is used to navigate the shallow channels and lagoons. Some of these activities are seasonal, depending on water levels.

Dry Camps: Dry camps emphasise land-based safaris, including walking tours, and focus on sightings of big predators such as lions, wild dogs, leopards, and cheetahs. These camps offer an immersive experience of the Delta’s varied terrestrial wildlife.

What individual camps can offer will likely vary depending on the season you visit.

Many camps, like Shinde, offer a blend of both wet and dry experiences, providing a well-rounded view of the Delta’s diverse ecosystems.

You may also want to explore the Moremi Game Reserve, which covers one-third of the delta on its eastern side.

Chobe National Park is a wildlife paradise with more than 120,000 elephants roaming its lands—the highest concentration anywhere on the planet. Witnessing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience, earning Chobe its nickname, ‘Land of Giants.’

Chobe offers remarkable wildlife viewing year-round, but it is during the dry season that the park truly shines. Herds of elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife congregate around the Chobe and Linyanti Rivers, creating spectacular viewing opportunities.

Chobe is divided into three distinct areas, each offering unique safari experiences:

Chobe Riverfront

The Chobe Riverfront is the most accessible area of the park, easily reached by road from Kasane. This area is famous for its river safaris, where boats cruise along the Chobe River, providing close-up views of elephants, buffalo, lechwe, and puku gathered along the banks. For those seeking a quieter experience, the forest reserve along the river offers stunning views and far less traffic, with excellent lodges like Muchenje Safari Lodge and Ngoma Safari Lodge providing excellent stays.

Savute

The Savute region of Chobe is more remote and known for its dramatic landscapes and dynamic wildlife. The 100km Savute Channel, which mysteriously dried up in 1982 and began flowing again in 2008, revitalised the Savute Marsh, attracting a variety of wildlife. The region is famous for the annual zebra migration in January and February, as well as sightings of the rare klipspringer antelope. This area is unpredictable and thrilling, with good camps and lodges providing a base for exploration.

The zebra migration, Africa’s longest terrestrial wildlife migration, sees zebras move from Nxai Pan and Makgadigadi Pan to the Chobe River, a 300km journey. Zebras gather in family groups to foal and enjoy the lush grass sprouted by the November rains before heading north in time for the May dry season.

Linyanti

The Linyanti region, located in the north-west of Chobe, is home to the private Linyanti and Selinda concessions. This remote wild area features a diverse landscape of lagoons, marshes, and mopane forests. It is renowned for its abundance of lions and as a denning area for wild dogs, typically from July to September. The Linyanti region is ideal for spotting big predators and offers a truly spectacular safari experience.

Planning Your Visit to Chobe

Chobe can be incorporated into various holiday itineraries. You can combine a Chobe safari with a stay at nearby Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) or Livingstone (Zambia) for a good value week-long adventure. Alternatively, include Chobe in a longer Botswana safari circuit that takes in the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari. For those looking to explore more of southern Africa, consider combining Botswana with Zimbabwe, including visits to Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls,  or South Africa, or a combination of countries.

All our journeys are tailormade, ensuring a personalised and unforgettable safari experience.

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is Southern Africa’s largest and most remote reserve. Historically the home of the San Bushman, the CKGR was off-limits for 30 years. However, recent limited development has allowed the establishment of two lodges within the reserve: Kalahari Plains and Tau Pan. Deception Valley, a highlight of the CKGR, bursts into life following the Green Season rains, transforming the landscape into a vibrant wildlife haven.

The Makgadikgadi Pans, part of the expansive Kalahari Basin, comprise a series of salt pans with Nxai Pan being the most accessible. During the wet summer season (November to May), large herds of zebra and other plains game migrate to the area, followed by predators. This period sees the landscape come alive with blooming flowers, dancing flamingos, courting giraffes, and prowling cheetahs. In contrast, the dry winter months offer a stark yet stunning landscape, perfect for stargazing and observing abundant meerkats. Baines Baobabs, located in the south, remain unchanged since they were painted by Thomas Baines in 1862, offering a historical and picturesque landmark.

Zebra Migration

Botswana’s zebra migration is the second largest land migration in Africa, after the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania. This migration is considered the longest overland migration, with around 30,000 Burchell’s zebras undertaking a 360-mile round trip from the dry Makgadikgadi grasslands to the lush Boteti River.

Similar to the Great Wildebeest Migration, this zebra migration is rain-dependent. It begins in March or April, encompassing the Nxai Pan and Makgadikgadi Pans national parks, and culminates around the lush grasslands and waterholes of the Boteti River in September. The zebras graze in this fertile area until November, when they start their challenging journey southward again.

The Makgadikgadi Pans offer a stark contrast to the lush Okavango Delta. Visitor numbers are lower, partly due to the higher cost of access by light aircraft and the harsh landscape, which does not support the same density of wildlife as regions further north. However, the pans attract seasoned safari-goers who are interested in exploring diverse landscapes, enjoying spectacular night skies, and engaging in a holistic safari experience rather than focusing on specific species.

The Kalahari Salt Pans provide an extraordinary safari experience, offering a unique blend of wildlife viewing and stunning landscapes that differ greatly from the more commonly visited areas of Botswana.

Botswana is a year-round destination with distinct seasons, each offering unique experiences and wildlife sightings.

The Green Summer Season (December to March)

Botswana’s summer season is marked by warmth and rain, transforming the landscape into a lush, green paradise. This period is ideal for:

• Wildlife Births: Many animals give birth during this time, providing ample opportunities to see young animals and predator-prey interactions. Wildlife is widely dispersed.
• Bird Watching: Migrant birds arrive in large numbers, making it a prime season for bird enthusiasts.
• Vibrant Landscapes: The floodplains become vibrant meadows of green, offering excellent feeding grounds for grazing animals.
• Desert Wonders: In the Kalahari, dry rivers start to flow, bringing life to the arid ground and attracting wildlife.
• Spectacular Rains: The rains, often in the form of dramatic thunderstorms, bring a refreshing end to the day.

Despite some camps closing, this season offers excellent value with many attractive Green Season deals/lower rates and occupancy levels.

The Dry Cool Winter Season (June to October)

Botswana’s winter months are dry and cool, providing optimal conditions for wildlife viewing:

• High Wildlife Concentration: Animals congregate around water sources, making them easier to spot. This is particularly true in the Okavango, Moremi, and Chobe regions.
• Comfortable Climate: Cool temperatures make for pleasant game drives and walking safaris although early morning game drives can be chilly – take lots of layers!
• Peak Season: This period sees the highest concentration and variety of wildlife, and as a result, prices are at their peak.
• Delta at Its Fullest: By June/July time, the Okavango Delta is filled to its maximum capacity, offering a quintessential Delta experience with vast wetlands, islands, and diverse ecosystems – many camps offer boating as soon as water levels permit.
• Predator Sightings: Areas like Linyanti offer great sightings of main predators, including the wild dogs that den during these months.

The Transitional Months (April, May, November)

The transitional months offer a mix of both climates and unique experiences:

• April and May: As the rains stop and the floodplains begin to fill, temperatures start to drop, and migratory birds depart. Wildlife begins to head north towards water but is still quite widely dispersed.
• November: Temperatures peak, and the landscape is at its driest, with large herds still present as they await the rains. Some boat activities may be suspended due to lower water levels in the Delta.