21 Amazing Okavango Delta Facts You Need to Know for 2025
The Okavango Delta, aka. Okavango Wetland, is an incredibly beautiful area of Botswana, Africa. It’s located in northern Botswana, and has some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa.
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It was actually voted one of the stunning Seven Natural Wonders of Africa in 2013. The following year it was the one-thousandth site to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
This amazing place comes with some equally amazing facts. Read on to learn just a few of the interesting facts that not everybody knows.
Okavango Delta Facts
One of my favourite places in Botswana, the Okavango Delta is a must for anyone who loves Africa.
Okavango Delta Map
1. The Okavango Delta is an inland delta in northern Botswana.
A delta is a wetland, or swampy area, that’s formed when a river carries water from one place and empties it somewhere else. A delta usually empties into an ocean.
But being an inland delta, the Okavango empties into a large area of the Kalahari Desert, rather than an ocean.
2. A safari in the Okavango Delta is spectacular.
These wetlands attract an inordinate amount of wildlife every year. Water and walking safaris are simply astounding ways to experience the Okavango Delta.
3. The Okavango Delta is filled each year with the summer (January-February) rains from the Angolan Highlands.
This water flows into the Okavango River, then, over a period of 4-6 months, spreads out over the flat area of the Delta.
This flooding is at its peak during Botswana’s dry winter months months, from June to August. During this time the Delta is triple the size that it measures in the wet season.
Eventually, the bulk of these flood waters is absorbed by the forest and evaporates into the dry Botswana air. And the cycle begins again.
4. While there are around 11,000 deltas worldwide, the Okavango Delta is unlike any other.
For one thing, it’s in the middle of a desert – the Kalahari Desert – which is pretty rare. Awesome Okavango Delta fact – it was created here by an earthquake some 50,000 years ago.
The quake caused the Okavango River to spill its 11 trillion litres of water into this desert, and the rest is history.
5. It’s the largest inland delta in the world.
Deltas are generally formed in flat, low-lying areas. The Okavango River splits into smaller branches, frequently forming a triangle – the shape of the Greek letter delta. This forms a permanent swampy area in the desert.
6. The Okavango Delta is 980 metres above sea level.
Deltas generally empty into an ocean, and are therefore in low-lying areas.
7. The Okavango at its fullest is large enough that it can be seen from space.
This might be my favourite Okavango Delta fact. While a respectable 15,000 km2 during its lowest time of year, it swells to an enormous 22,000 km2 during its flood.
8. As the water in the Delta rises, animals come in from all of the surrounding areas.
During the flooding, the Okavango Delta has higher concentrations of wildlife than anywhere else in Africa.
9. You’ll find elephants and hippos in the Delta, along with black and white rhinos.
Other browsers and grazers include buffalo, wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, lechwe, and many other types of antelope like sable and kudu.
Of course, the predators aren’t going to miss this opportunity. You can see leopards, cheetahs, brown and spotted hyenas, and lions on the prowl.
10. The Okavango Delta is home to the rare sitatunga.
Sitatungas live mostly in swampy areas, so the delta is perfect for them. They’re one of 74 types of antelopes that can be found in Africa.
11. Okavango Delta lions tend to be larger and stronger than lions anywhere else in the world.
This is in part due to the fact that lions are able to eat extremely well here. Prey of all kinds abounds, and there is more than enough for everybody.
And as the lions move through the area, whether they’re hunting or looking for a good spot to nap, they’re often walking through water. This builds up their muscles, contributing to their size.
12. Massive crocodiles are lurking in the Delta waters.
The Nile crocodiles in the Okavango can top the scales at over 1000 kg, and reach 6 m long. An estimated 3000 of these reptiles make their home here.
13. Even the rare and endangered African Wild Dogs can be found in the Okavango Delta.
And they’re present in high numbers. This area and surrounding parts of northern Botswana host one of the largest populations, with an estimated 500 animals.
14. This unique ecosystem hosts up to 300,000 animals during the floods.
Over 122 species of mammals and 444 species of birds have been recorded here during this time of year. In addition, 33 types of amphibians and 64 types of reptiles call the area home.
15. There are over 150,000 islands in the Delta.
These vary from very tiny ones to land masses more than 10 km long. The majority of these began as termite mounds that grew as river silt built up and flora grew on them.
16. Nearly one-third of the Okavango Delta is taken up by the Moremi Game Reserve.
Moremi is located on the eastern side of the Delta. Many of its safari camps are located on the largest of the Delta’s islands, called Chief’s Island.
Chief’s Island is 70km long and 14 km wide, and was once a private hunting ground for a local tribal chief. These days you can find some of the most luxurious safari lodges in Botswana here.
17. The San have made their home in the Okavango Delta for some 70,000 years.
Moremi’s designation as a Reserve, as opposed to a National Park, made it possible for the San Bushmen to remain there.
18. There are 5 unique ethnic groups that live in the Okavango Delta.
One of these is the San tribe. Each ethnic group has its own language, culture, and history.
Some subsist as hunter/gatherers, while others farm, fish, hunt, herd cattle and goats, and/or collect wild plants for food and medicines.
19. A mokoro is the traditional vehicle in which to travel through these wetlands.
Customarily these were carved from the trunks of large trees, for example, African sausage trees or ebonies.
These days, though, in order to preserve the large trees in the area, mokoros are made of fibreglass.
They’re propelled with long poles against the bottom of the waterway. It might look easy, but it’s not. Trust me – balance is an issue.
A mokoro safari is a popular way to explore the Okavango Delta. It’s a beautiful, serene, and unobtrusive way to observe the wildlife.
20. The Botswana government makes its wildlife and ecosystems priorities.
To this end, it limits the number of camps and tourists that can pass through the Okavango Delta area.
This does mean that tours and accommodations can be a bit pricier than in some other countries. Absolutely worth it.
The Best Time to Visit the Okavango Delta
21. Although there is no bad time to visit the Okavango Delta, there is a best time.
If it’s wildlife you’re after, the dry season in the Delta can’t be beaten. From May through August, the seasonal wildlife is in town, the rainy season has passed, and the temperature is blissful.
Some prefer to wait until late June or July, though, to be extra certain of dry weather.
But if it’s birds you’re hoping to spot, summer – or the wet season – is prime time.
Again, the Okavango has spectacular birding all year long, but from November to April it is next-level amazing. This is when the seasonal migrants make their way back to the area.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that because this is the wet season, you risk running into some areas that are inaccessible. This is especially true from January to March.
April is kind of the sweet spot for birding here. You will have better accessibility all-round. Don’t forget your binoculars.
Summing it Up: Okavango Delta Facts
The Okavango Delta is one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet. If you love wildlife, if you want to see the best of Africa, or if you’re just after an unforgettable experience, come discover some facts for yourself.
It may just be the best trip of your life!
Happy travels!
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