What Makes the Okavango Delta Unique?

The country’s government has also imposed limits on tourism and development in an effort to protect this area. They have restricted the construction of camps built within the countries private reserves and concessions – and it’s working. For example the mighty Abu concession, home to the elephant focused Abu Camp,  is a massive 1750 square kilometres but the limited number of camps means only around 36 people can be on safari in the concession at one time. Compare this to the Sabi Sands private reserve in South Africa which is 650 square kilometres in size with the possibility of around 500 people on safari each day.

These conservation efforts have kept the Okavango Delta largely untouched, preserving both its beauty and biodiversity. This is beneficial for everyone; animals’ habitats are kept intact, local residents are able to maintain and nurture their land, and travellers are treated to a rare glimpse of raw natural splendour. There aren’t many places in the world that feel truly wild, but this is certainly one of them.

In the peak season of March to August, around 260,000 mammals congregate in the delta. You’re likely to see elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, hyenas, giraffes, antelope and endless other species, you might also encounter cheetahs and wild dogs. This rich concentration of many of Africa’s rarest and most iconic species makes the Okavango one of a kind – and a dream come true for any animal lover.

The delta also hosts herons, storks and some rarer species like the endangered slaty egret, with its elegant dark feathers and bright yellow legs. You might even get to witness a Pel’s fishing owl – one of the world’s largest owl species – swooping down from the trees to snatch a fish from the water.

To see as much as possible in one trip, step aboard a powerboat that will whisk you across the enormous expanse of the delta. But if you’re okay with a slower pace, we highly recommend opting for a mokoro: a traditional canoe that locals have used to navigate these waters for generations. The mokoro is stealthy and silent, allowing your guide to get you incredibly close to animals that would otherwise be scared away.

The largest of them all is known as Chief’s Island. Located in the Moremi Game Reserve, it includes the highly fertile Mombo Concession, which is a treasure trove of wildlife. You can stay right in the middle of the action at Mombo Camp, which is one of the most renowned camps on the continent. There’s nothing quite like looking out over the floodplains from your own private luxury suite.

During your trip to the delta, you’ll notice the strong ties between local people; their culture, traditions, heritage and the camps you stay at and activities you take part in. Whether that be trips in a mokoro with your local mokoro ‘driver’, enjoying a traditional meal or learning about the flower and fauna of the Delta with your expert guide from a village close to camp. 

Part of the reason that these groups have managed to maintain their traditions is the controlled development of tourism in the region. The Okavango is the perfect example of a place where traditional ways of life and modern luxury coexist in harmony.

With all of this recognition the Delta still maintains its sense of wonder and mystery, it’s quite simply unique and we’re betting the Okavango Delta will earn a place on the bucket list of nature lovers and adventurers across the globe.