With a population of just over 2.1 million people spread out in an area roughly the same size of France, Botswana is the third least densely populated country in Africa and is a heaven for nature and safari enthusiasts.

For the most part, Botswana consists of relatively flat, broad, rolling landscapes with 70% of the country dominated by the semi-arid Kalahari Desert and dry savannahs.

However, Botswana is also famous for a number of geological processes which are unique to the continent.

One of these unusual yet natural phenomena is the Okavango delta. This UNESCO world heritage site is formed when rainfall from the Angola highlands surges into the Okavango river between January and February. The water then travels 1,2000km downstream and empties into a series of geological faults, creating a vast network of channels, creaks and swampland known as the Okavango Delta.

 

Over the last few years, safaris on the Delta have become increasingly popular, and for good reason.

What makes a safari trip memorable are the animals which inhabit the area and a safari in Africa is not complete without seeing at least one of continent’s big five.

However, what makes a Safari on the Okavango Delta unique from other safaris is the way in which the wildlife has adapted to life on this marshy wetland.

Indeed, the animals in this region have developed behavioural characteristics which differentiate themselves from their cousins elsewhere on the continent. It’s not uncommon to find cheetahs, lions and other animals swimming from one pocket of land to the next.

Furthermore, safaris usually take place in a jeep or on some form of motorised vehicle. A safari on the Okavango Delta, however, means you can experience the African wilderness on a jeep as well as on a mokoro (a traditional dugout canoe).

Experiencing a safari this way gives you a unique perspective on the surrounding wildlife and is perhaps one of the best ways to experience the tranquillity of the delta; no fumes, no noise pollution, just the sound of the mokoro gently gliding through the water accompanied by the echoes of Africa.

Peak time at the Okavango Delta, before it dries up again, is between June and August when the basin swells to three times its normal size.

Some of the area’s more popular private reserves include the Sandibe / Chitabe Reserve. This reserve has three camps and is effectively split into two halves. The Sandibe Reserve has just one lodge, Sandibe Safari Lodge, on the north side – which offers a good mix of game and deep-water activities. On the Chitabe Reserve you'll find Chitabe Camp, and the smaller Chitabe Lediba. This area is popular for dry-land safaris.

Another popular reserve is the Nxabega and Kanana Reserve. This area includes the well-run Nxabega Safari Camp, Shinde's watery sister-camp, Kanana and, in a very picturesque corner of the Delta, the delightful Pom Pom Camp. To get the full experience that these reserves can offer, its best to go during the wet season when wildlife is abundant.

Protecting the Okavango Delta's amazing delta environment is of paramount importance here and many of the private lodges have implemented low-environmental-effect policies which help to ensure that the area remains as pristine and natural as possible.