Okavango - Green Heart of Botswana 

Even by Botswana's legendarily high wilderness and wildlife watching standards, the Okavango Delta is special. The Okavango is our planet's most pristine freshwater river delta and a haven for some of Africa's most spectacular wildlife populations. It is a vast seasonally swampy wilderness set in the centre of the blistering Kalahari Desert. 

In areas of the Delta where water dominates, lions have uniquely adapted to become expert swimmers, engaging in brutal battles with vast buffalo herds on islands within a landlocked country. It is a region where highly endangered species like the African Wild Dog, Africa's unique social long distance hunters, can still be seen. In days when the news is dominated with reports of elephant poaching and the ivory trade, the Okavango protects herds of elephants too large to count. This is Africa both as you imagined and scenically at its most unexpected. 

So what causes this wildlife wonderland to exist in the centre of Southern Africa's greatest desert landscape? If you are an astronaut looking down onto the Earth, you would be able to understand some of the Delta's unique nature. Each year the Delta expands and contracts like a huge emerald green heart in Botswana's orange and white desert plains. Sometimes the Delta's waters cover only 1,500km²; but surprisingly, when Botswana is experiencing its cool, dry winter season, the Okavango floods to its greatest extent. A myriad of heart-like river arteries turn up to 16,000km² of sun-burnt Kalahari Desert into a lush emerald paradise. 

Angola - Source of Life 

The water comes from the northwest, entering Botswana via the twisting snake-like Panhandle area of the Okavango River. Water which fell as rain six months before, far away in Angola's high plains, arrives as the Cuito and Cubango rivers merge together to form the Okavango River. As it enters the flat desert centre, it spreads out into a delta, as if entering the sea, only in this case an ocean of sand. 

A map of the Delta is always out of date, changing flow somewhat every year; but there are around 150,000 islands within this giant wetland, attracting wildlife from across Botswana when life is hardest in the Kalahari. 330,000 large mammals swarm into the Delta. The wetland becomes a birdwatchers' paradise, attracting more than 440 avian species in spectacular numbers.

Amongst the birdlife: Pelicans, Ibis, Saddle-billed & Yellow-billed Storks and more are drawn here from across the region, to feed on the new abundance of fish, frogs and insects. Southern Ground Hornbills hunt on the ground, whilst Crowned Hornbills patrol the trees both for insects and newly ripened fruit. Sunbirds, Malachite Kingfishers and Bee-eaters are small birds but wonderfully colourful specialities of this region. 

100 species of reptile, including Nile crocodiles,  Cobras, Black Mambas, Nile monitors and Rock Pythons make this like a pre-historic wonderland; and what was previously desert comes alive with 70 species of fish and some of Africa's densest and most spectacular Hippo populations. 

Okavango Safaris with Aqua-Firma 

Aqua-Firma operates safaris into some of the wildest and most remote sections of the Okavango Delta; areas which we explore from  3- 5 star safari lodges, as well as mobile camping safaris; all accompanied by expert local guides; sometimes alongside Aqua-Firma's international wildlife & photography hosts. Aqua-Firma Safaris can be tailored to interests and wildlife passions in an area that truly requires expert planning and guiding to make the most of the experience. 

The Okavango, depending on the region and time of year, is also best explored with a variety of modes of transport: from traditional indigenous mokoro canoes; tough 4x4's for game drives; specially designed boats for water-based safaris; and where permitted, guided walking safaris. All forms provide thrilling experiences in a part of Africa where close encounters with lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and more are always a possibility.