One of the largest inland deltas in the world is the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Most river deltas lead to the ocean, but the Okavango River flows onto open ground, flooding the savanna, creating a unique, ever-changing inland Delta. Here are 10 facts about Africa’s Okavango Delta.
Between March and August, the delta grows almost three times its size. It can vary in size from approximately 6,000 kilometres up to about 15,000.
Many enjoy river-based safaris in the Delta, cruising the waterways on traditional mokoro canoes. These traditional boats were once made from a carved-out tree trunk, however, now they are made from more environmentally friendly fiberglass.
The Okavango Delta, located in north-west Botswana, is made up of permanent marshlands as well as seasonally flooded plains. One of the few interior delta systems that does not flow into an ocean or sea, it has a nearly intact wetland system. The unique feature of this site is the fact that the Okavango river floods every year during the dry season. This means that native animals and plants have synchronized their biological cycles to these floods and rains.
The Okavango Delta is the biggest freshwater wetland in southern Africa. It is home to more than 1,000 species of plants, over 480 species birds, 130 species mammals and many species reptiles, fish and reptiles. The Okavango Wilderness Project discovered 26 new species, more than 75 new species, and more 130 species that were previously unknown in Angola.
The Okavango Delta, one of Africa’s driest regions, is the main water source and supplies water to the local communities, which includes the San, who were the first inhabitants of Southern Africa. Its wetland system is virtually intact so there is no contamination of the water, which is vital to both their food supply and that of neighboring countries. The Okavango Delta, which is a major tourist attraction, is also an important source for income and employment for citizens in both countries.
Many safaris in Africa are best viewed from a raised platform like a jeep. But the beauty of the delta is that it allows you to see the wildlife and landscapes in the most intimate way possible. The most captivating is the mokoro, a local dug-out canoe.
A poled experience through delta by mokoro is unmatched. The only sound is the cool splash, trickle and brushing of water as the boat moves. While everyone wants to spot the ‘big five’ on safari, the slow pulling of the boat reminds us that smaller species can also be quite charming, from the hum and flash of a kingfisher to the jeweled dragonfly. The Okavango is an excellent place for bird watching.
The Okavango River rises in Angola, turning its back to the Atlantic Ocean. It snakes through Botswana’s vast plains, creating an oasis called the Okavango, which is the largest freshwater marsh ecosystem in the world.
The Delta has a variety of habitats. It includes seasonal floodplains and smaller islands, as well as larger islands that support riverine forests, mopane forests, open grassland, and savannah Bushveld.
Angola’s annual summer rainfall transforms the Okavango Delta each year. It flows off the Benguela Highlands into the Okavango River. This enormous volume of water can take several months to reach the Okavango Delta and then flood it.
