Africa's true Eden, the Okavango Delta is a vast inland alluvial fan that empties the contents of the Kavango River and its tributaries into the vast central Kalahari depression, forming one of the world's most biodiverse seasonal wetlands.

With its panhandle in the far north of Botswana, the Delta spreads out to cover some 17,000 square kilometres of the country during its annual flood, which occurs every year between March and June, peaking in July - the height of the dry season. The flood takes place following heavy rains in the Angolan highlands which feed into the Kavango River system. It brings with it a huge migration of plains game from the dry interior, following the life-giving water.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Okavango is an immense and richly diverse ecosystem that's mostly flat - the variation in height across its immense floodplains is actually less than 2m - and dotted with various islands that remain above the water level all year round. Chief's Island is the largest of these and one of the best known regions for game viewing and photographic safaris.

The Delta is a critically important wildlife area that includes the Moremi Game Reserve on its eastern border and numerous private concessions that together help to protect and conserve its wild fauna and flora, while at the same time offering one of Africa's prime safari destinations thanks to its high concentrations of wildlife that includes 160 mammal species, some 530 species of birds and 1500 species of plants.

Key species are the African elephant, lion, leopard, painted wolf (African wild dog) and hippopotamus. Plains game includes zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and a wide range of antelope species including kudu, waterbuck, red lechwe, impala and sitatunga.

When it comes to safaris in the Okavango Delta, you'll be hard-pressed to find better. With its incredible, sweeping vistas, network of waterways, channels and oxbow lagoons, it really is an African wonderland like no other, filled with an abundance of life at every turn. The birding is exceptional, as is the game viewing and the accommodation on offer is among the best in the world.

Renowned luxury safari brands like Wilderness Safaris, Great Plains and &Beyond share the landscape with award-winning independent lodges and bush camps. There are also some marvellous budget safari options including mobile tented camps and camp sites.  Here at Best African Safaris we try to make use of all of these options, creating unique customised safari experiences  irrespective of budget.

Talk to us today about putting together the perfect Okavango safari...