Deep in the heart of the Kalahari Basin one of Africa's most important perennial rivers empties its waters into a parched and otherwise arid land, turning it into one of the most incredible and iconic wetlands in the world... This is the Okavango Delta - a place of legends...

Some 2-million years ago, the Okavango River flowed into a massive lake that covered what is now the barren expanses of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Thanks to an enormous earthquake caused by a dramatic shift in the bedrock beneath the Kalahari - a tectonic upheaval that caused the entire area to effectively sink - the river's course was instantly and irrevocably changed. 

The lake dried up and the Okavango formed a huge alluvial fan that varies between 6,000 and 8,000 square kilometres and swells to more than 15,000 square kilometres during its annual inundation, depending on the amount of  rainfall in the river's catchment area in the Angolan highlands that causes the Okavango River to swell dramatically and empty its waters into the Kalahari. 

More than 150,000 islands dot its waterways, channels and lagoons creating some of the highest densities of wildlife in Africa, if not the world. Home to huge herds of elephant and buffalo and all of Africa's big cats as well as healthy populations of painted wolves (African wild dogs) and a plethora of endemic and migrant bird species, the Okavango is a veritable oasis and easily one of Africa's top "bucket list" safari destinations.

Up in the far north of Botswana is the Delta's "panhandle" - a narrow swathe of wetland that's formed around a 70km stretch of the Okavango River as its enters Botswana and before it fans out to form the delta. This is where you'll find Tsodilo Hills with its ancient rock art and the town of Shakawe - the gateway to the panhandle which is renowned for its fishing and birding.

At 60km long and 10km wide, Chief's Island is the biggest in the Delta and is home to a range of lodges and camps, as is the Moremi Game Reserve which it is part of. Add to this a number of private concessions and some of the best-loved safari brands in Africa and you begin to understand why the Okavango Delta is such a huge tourism drawcard and the flagship safari destination for Botswana.

The inundation usually happens from June to September each year. Outside of this period, much of the Delta is dry for large parts of the year. This makes walking safaris a popular alternative to the water-based activities offered at camps on or near permanent water. When it comes to exploring on the water, a mokoro (dug-out canoe) safari is an absolute must, as are game-viewing cruises along the waterways. Game drives are, of course, always popular, as are helicopter flips over the Delta. 

So talk to us about the possibilities depending on the time of year you want to visit the Okavango and what experiences you want to have. We can tailor your itinerary to suit your interests and we work with a wonderful network of exceptional safari lodges and camps, ensuring that your Okavango Delta safari is absolutely out of this world.