Botswana

Okavango Delta

Okavango Delta

Welcome to the Okavango Delta! Instead of flowing into the ocean, this river fans out across the dry Kalahari, creating a lush maze of islands, channels, and lagoons full of wildlife.

Why is it famous?

It is the world's largest inland delta — a river delta that never reaches any sea or ocean.

It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to elephants, hippos, lions, and hundreds of bird species.

How was it formed?

Rainwater from far away in Angola flows down the Okavango River into the dry Kalahari Desert.

Instead of reaching the ocean, the water spreads out and soaks into the sand, creating a huge network of channels, islands, and lagoons.

Amazing facts

The delta grows and shrinks with the seasons, sometimes tripling in size when floodwaters arrive.

Local guides pole through the delta in traditional dugout canoes called mokoros.

Quick facts

  • The delta grows and shrinks with the seasons, sometimes tripling in size when floodwaters arrive.
  • Local guides pole through the delta in traditional dugout canoes called mokoros.
  • It's home to over 400 species of birds and around 130 species of mammals.
  • Tiny islands in the delta are often built up around old termite mounds!