When is the Best Time to Visit the Okavango Delta?

The best time to visit the Okavango Delta is between June and August and from September to October – however, a winning combination of permanent wetlands and abundant resident wildlife means the Okavango Delta is a year-round safari destination. The November to April rainy summer season sees it transform from an excellent birdwatching destination to a sensational one.

 

Month by Month Guide for Travelling to the Okavango Delta: 

Visiting the Okavango Delta between January and MarchLeopard in the Okavango Delta, Botswana | Go2Africa

 

January is the rainiest month, with regular thunderstorms that break in the late afternoon. As fewer people visit this month, the camps and lodges in the Okavango tend to be quiet, and there are great safari specials to take advantage of.

February and March have a similar climate to January. These summer months are highly unpredictable weatherwise. The landscape is lush and green, with the water levels of the Okavango Delta at their lowest, but there are still wonderful opportunities for exceptional game viewing and Okavango Delta tours.

 

Travelling to the Okavango Delta in April & MayMokoro ride in the Okavango Delta, Botswana | Go2Africa

 

April is a beautiful month to be anywhere in the Okavango Delta, particularly on the water, enjoying motorboat and mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) trips – the best being in the north and west of the region. This is the month when the Okavango Delta floodwaters begin to rise and you can experience a luxury Botswana safari.

In May, as the surface water evaporates on the surrounding Kalahari Plains, more and more wild animals are drawn to the rising floodwaters, especially along the Delta’s northern concessions. Those who visit the Okavango Delta often gush about May being their favorite month. Predator sightings are not as prolific as later in the season, but experienced trackers and guides are adept at finding animals in just about any season.

 

Visiting the Okavango Delta between June and AugustLion in the Okavango Delta, Botswana | Go2Africa

 

By June, the thinning vegetation of the Okavango Delta makes predator spotting easier and all manner of safari activities are on offer across the region. June is one of the best times to visit the Okavango Delta, especially if you are looking to try a mix of water and land-based activities. Being a popular month, it’s advisable to plan well in advance.

July to October is a good time to see the endangered African wild dog, particularly in the northern concessions. This is also the time to see the Delta at its fullest – as it spills its main channels into the Kalahari Desert.

In August, the wildlife viewing only improves as the dry season continues, and it is now peak safari season. Keen birders are in for a treat with thousands of herons, storks, and egrets arriving to start building their nests.  If you’re interested in fishing, the catfish run is impressive, a feeding frenzy that populates the main channels and attracts hungry predators.

 

Visiting the Okavango Delta from September to December

Luxury accommodation in the Okavango Delta at Xugana Lodge, Botswana | Go2Africa

September and October are some of the best months for predator sightings. The Moremi Game Reserve is where to visit in the Okavango Delta during this time. With the lack of rain causing many waterholes to dry up across Botswana, you’ll find that many animals trek hundreds of miles to the Okavango Delta.

Early November is usually a hot month as the coming of the rains is imminent. Once the rains arrive, the antelope birthing season begins and the Okavango Delta becomes a haven for new life, which attracts the heavyweight predators.

December is the second wettest month of the year and afternoon showers are dramatic spectacles. December is the month of rejuvenation for the African bush after a long period of heat and dust.

 

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