Safari experts & storytellers. Since 1991
Okavango Delta & Moremi: Africa’s Greatest Inland Safari Oasis
The Okavango Delta and Moremi Region is a remote wetland that defies logic and even Mother Nature's own rules. It does not drain into the ocean but into a sea of desert sand. And to baffle us even further, it does so during Botswana's dry season. UNESCO registered it as a World Heritage Site in 2014 for its exceptionally intact wetland system and rich biodiversity.
Like a hand stretching through Botswana, its watery tendrils morph landscapes into wildlife-rich lagoons and islands. Gliding along papyrus-lined channels on a mokoro canoe, you feel part of a fantasy world, with fish eagles swooping overhead, reed frogs calling from below, and the magnetic, long-lashed eyes of elephants meeting yours as they wade through deep waters.
5 Reasons We Love the Okavango Delta
Incredible biodiversity: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, the Okavango Delta, Moremi Region is a must for safari enthusiasts.
Predators galore: Endangered African wild dogs, as well as big cats like lions and leopards, promise exhilarating sightings.
Water and land safaris: Game drives, walking safaris, as well as boat and mokoro (traditional canoe) safaris.
Conservation and community focus: Many camps are community-owned and -run, with a low-impact conservation travel model of private concessions, limited bed availability and community partnerships to keep the area wild and thriving.
Excellent guiding: From local trackers on your game drive to Bushmen using tracking skills honed over generations to show you their world on foot, the Okavango Delta is renowned for its quality guiding.
All you need to know about Okavango Delta and Moremi
About the Okavango Delta & Moremi
Located in northern Botswana, the Okavango Delta is one of the most sought-after safari destinations in Africa. Beginning as a trickle of water in the Angolan highlands, the Okavango River travels over 1,600km to reach Botswana, where it performs its greatest trick: never reaching the sea, but instead fanning out into a Mother Nature miracle that continues to fascinate and baffle even the most brilliant minds.
Nutrient-rich floodwaters from Angola make their way through the Kalahari Sands, transforming up to 15,000km² of desert into miraculous floodplains, lagoons, woodlands, and palm islands stretching out into the middle of the arid Kalahari. Elephants and hippos carve the channels that shape this ever-changing landscape, while termite mounds create raised ground that diverts the water. This attracts wildlife of all species, turning into a large-scale safari congregation of great diversity.
The Moremi Game Reserve is situated within the Okavango Delta, covering most of its eastern sector.
What wildlife will I see in the Okavango Delta?
Big 5: You can find all five iconic Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo), with the rhino being harder to find.
African wild dogs: The Okavango holds globally important populations of the endangered African wild dogs, and is one of the best places to see them.
Predator paradise: Cheetahs, lions, leopards, hyenas , servals and more have their pick of prey gathering near water.
Hippos, crocodiles, & massive elephant herds: Botswana holds the world's largest elephant population, with the Okavango Delta as a core habitat.
Rare and seldom-seen species: You could see pangolins, aardvarks and servals during day and nocturnal game drives. On a night safari, you get to see a different side of the Okavango, with civets, owls, genets, porcupines, hyenas and more coming out.
Birdlife: The Okavango is a birder's paradise, with about 500 species recorded, including carmine bee-eaters, Pel's fishing owl, African fish eagle, and slaty egrets.
Lodges and camps in the Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta & Moremi offer a range of accommodation options, from classic tented lodges and high-end treehouses to back-to-basics bush camps that put you right at the heart of the wilderness.
Botswana's low-density tourism model ensures that lodges and camps are designed to sit lightly within their natural surroundings, delivering an intimate and exclusive safari experience.
Every property we select for your handcrafted journey meets our exacting standards for comfort, character, and service. Just as importantly, each lodge is deeply committed to protecting wildlife, supporting local communities, and preserving the extraordinary ecosystems that make your safari possible.
Check out our Okavango Delta & Moremi safari ideas above to see some of the hotels, lodges and camps with proven track records that we regularly send our guests to.
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Why choose Africa Geographic to plan your safari?
"The whole experience from start to finish was an absolute pleasure ... The Camps, travel and meet&greet arrangements were superb and we totally enjoyed every moment of the trip and made great memories. We can truly recommend each of the places we stayed at ..."
"We had a fantastic trip to the Kruger Park and the Okavango Delta. Everything was perfect, from the vast information during pre-trip arrangements, to the choice of accommodations, the daily drives and the warmth of the staff and guides ...."
"We ate the most delicious food - freshly cooked outside by Jo & Gift and beautifully presented. Honestly we were spoiled. We walked, we drove, we meandered on mokoros, we glided through the Delta by speedboat – what an adventure from start to finish! We'll treasure the memories."
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Frequently asked questions
The peak wildlife safari season is during the dry months, from June to October. This is when the bushveld thins out, and water is limited, which draws large numbers of animals, including predators.
The green season is from November to April, when temperatures rise and dramatic afternoon storms transform the Delta into a lush, green world. This is the season of baby animals and superb birding, with fewer visitors and better-value rates.
June to August is the sweet spot for the most comfortable temperatures, no rain, but peak flood levels, and excellent wildlife viewing, though it comes at a premium. September and October offer slightly fewer crowds. And if you love birding, the green season from November to April is worth considering.
Reaching the Okavango Delta typically begins with a flight into Maun International Airport or Kasane, from where a short charter flight takes you to your chosen lodge or camp.
Moremi Game Reserve sits within the Okavango Delta, occupying its central and eastern areas. It’s the only formally protected national reserve within the Delta, making it a distinct zone within the broader wilderness. Khwai sits on its eastern fringes.
The Okavango Delta has a wonderful wildlife diversity. All of the Big 5 are present, with the Delta being one of the finest places in the world to see endangered African wild dogs, while lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas make it a true predator paradise.
Botswana holds the world's largest elephant population, with the Delta as a core habitat, and vast herds of zebra, wildebeest, and the iconic red lechwe splashing through the shallows are sights to look forward to. Hippos and crocodiles patrol the waterways, and the lucky few may spot the elusive sitatunga or rarer species such as pangolin, aardvark, and serval.
Night safaris reveal civets, genets, porcupines, and owls, while birdwatchers are spoiled by over 479 recorded species, including the African fish eagle, Pel's fishing owl, and vibrant Carmine bee-eaters.
Some of our favourite activities include a traditional mokoro safari, one of the most iconic Delta experiences, while motorboat excursions allow you to explore the wider waterways during the flood season.
On land, game drives head out at first light and again in the late afternoon, often ending with sundowners on a floodplain before a night drive back to camp, where spotlighting reveals the nocturnal world of civets, owls and genets. Walking safaris add an intimate, ground-level dimension across the Delta's varied habitats, and in some concessions,
Bushman communities still guide visitors using tracking skills honed over generations. For a breathtaking perspective on this extraordinary wilderness, a scenic helicopter flight above the floodplains and palm-fringed islands is a must.
Some lodges also offer photographic safaris with specialised game drive vehicles and boats.
We recommend spending at least four to eight nights in the Okavango Delta to fully immerse yourself in everything it has to offer, from game drives and mokoro trips to boating, walking safaris and night drives.
The Delta also pairs well with Chobe National Park and the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans for the ultimate Botswana safari journey.
Our safaris typically cost from US$700 per person, per night, depending on the accommodation comfort level, time of year and activities. This price usually includes accommodation, all meals, game drives, experienced guides, airport transfers, and 24/7 support from our team.
You only make your first payment when you book your holiday. Your second (last) payment is about 105 days before you travel.
Peak season bookings require 12–18 months of advance planning. Trips outside of peak season can be arranged 6–9 months ahead, with better rates and availability.
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