Afrizim Logo

Okavango

Okavango Delta River Cruises

Okavango Delta river cruise holidays, fishing and birding.
Easily accessed by road from Maun, there are specialist tiger fishing boats for rental, family vacations and exceptional birding.

Over 71 species of fish inhabit the pristine waters of the delta, making it a fly fisherman’s paradise.
Main fish species of the Okavango delta panhandle are Tigerfish, Tilapia, Barbel and African Pike.

Okavango houseboats

Okavango delta river cruises 

The area is not known for its wildlife but you can expect to see elephant, hippos, crocs and perhaps even the sitatunga

The delta is a watery wilderness with papyrus-lined waterways, riverine forests and seasonal floodplains.  

Numerous islands, tranquil lagoons and crystal clear channels are dotted throughout the delta.

Beginning in Angola where it is known as the Cubango river, the Okavango is the fourth longest river system in southern Africa.

Houseboats on the Okavango river
Okavango boats

inkwazi

an "old Africa' style houseboat cruising the main channel of the Okavango. An area rich in tiger fish and bream. Sleeps 23 guests.
more info

delta belle

Cruising the Okavango river, accommodating 10 guests in 5 en suite cabins. Seasonal floodplains, islands and channels provide good opportunities
more info

kubu queen

moored at Shakwe on the panhandle section of the delta, operated by specialist river guide. Fish for barbel, largemouth bream, nembwe and tiger. Accommodation for 8 guests
more info

ngwesi

accommodating a maximum of 16 guests - all cabins have en suite. Ideal for small fishing groups with enclosed dining area on upper deck
more info

The Okavango river continued

It runs southeastward for 1,000 miles (1,600 km).  Further south it forms part of the border between Angola and Namibia.  Before entering Botswana the river drops some 4 metres in a series of rapids known as Popa Falls.  These are situated in Namibia.

Known as the river that does not reach the sea,  it empties into a swamp in the Kalahari desert.   Part of the Okavango’s flow fills Lake Ngami.

Did you know that the delta holds 95% of Botswana’s total surface water.
In times of good floods, the river overflows into the Selinda Spillway

Okavango delta houseboats

Fishing in the Okavango Delta Panhandle

There is marvellous tiger-fishing, and bream that make superb eating, not to mention pike, catfish and other species.
Each year, just before the floods when the water is low, thousands of catfish migrate up the main channel of the Delta,  Here they will later spawn and embark on a mass, concerted feeding frenzy.

The Okavango delta consists of 3 main geographically important areas namely, the delta, the panhandle and dryland.

Extending for some 80 kms is the panhandle where the river runs deep and wide.  Vegetation is mainly papyrus stands and palms. 

Okavango

Okavango Delta Safari Camps Botswana

Okavango delta safari camps Botswana for a rich and rewarding safari. The channels and lagoons of the delta are home to elephant, buffalo, giraffe,  waterbuck as well as lion, leopard, cheetah and a whole lot more. With so much wildlife it is no wonder that the delta is considered one of the best  wildlife destinations in the world.

Okavango camps
Safari accommodation Okavango delta

The Okavango

The Okavango Delta is a large inland delta, formed where the Okavango River reaches the central part of the basin of the Kalahari.

All the water reaching the Delta is ultimately evaporated and does not flow into any sea or ocean.

Each year approximately 11 cubic kilometres of water spreads over the 6,000-15,000 km² area.

Some flood-waters will drain into Lake Ngami and Moremi Game Reserve

It takes the shape of a hand, with the palm permanently filled with water, and the fingertips seasonally flooded with a blue-green wilderness of freshwater.

In turn this shapes million of islands and a labyrinth of papyrus-lined canals, water-lily lagoons, shady forest glades and rich savanna grasslands – an incredible source of life in a country that is 80% arid.

Sometimes dried out with salt, the islands are inhabited by hundreds of species of birds, while hippos, elephants and crocodiles move from one to another in very pure waters.

From the smaller tropical fish to the larger animal, there is always something that will catch your eye and admiration, making a safari to the Okavango Delta one of Africa’s top game safari spots

When to Travel

Many travellers will prefer the drier season (April to October) to visit the delta, as it normally guarantees the best wildlife viewing activities.

Most of the Okavango progressively dries out, apart from permanent rivers in Moremi Game Reserve and other Northern areas.

But the wet season (December through March) offers spectacular highlights.  In addition, the landscape is alive with amazing colors from the waters, skies, grass and flowers.  There is also a lot of  activity with  many mammals having babies, and predators are busy spotting the young families.