Okavango Delta
A river that never reaches the sea, vanishing into a labyrinth of islands and lagoons: southern Africa's most extraordinary ecosystem is discovered by dugout canoe.
Suggested stay — 2 to 3 nights (Maun base)
Every year the Okavango pours its Angolan waters into the Kalahari sand, creating 15,000 km² of channels, palm islands and flooded plains, listed as World Heritage. Elephants, hippos, red lechwe, wild dogs: the wildlife lives to the flood's rhythm, at its peak in the dry winter (June-August).
From Maun, everything is reachable without a thousand-euro lodge: a day trip or overnight by mokoro (the traditional pole-pushed canoe) in the community area, a light-aircraft flight over the delta (30-45 minutes that justify the trip), or a 4x4 excursion towards Moremi. Purists treat themselves to a night or two at a boat-access delta camp.
Don't miss
- The scenic flight from Maun: the delta only makes sense from above
- A day or a night by mokoro with a local poler (island walks included)
- The flooded plains of the Moremi area by 4x4 in the dry season
- Sunset on the Thamalakane river in Maun, while waiting for better
Our tips on the ground
- Book the flight on arrival in Maun to get the morning slots (calm air, good light).
- By mokoro, everything hinges on silence: it's an atmosphere safari (birds, distant hippos, reed frogs), not a zoo — go without Big Five expectations.
- The flood peaks June to August: the best mokoro period, and high season — plan ahead.
On our publishing schedule
Coming soon“Botswana on your own”, the complete edition, is in preparation
Same method as our Namibia guide: day-by-day itineraries, driving, a costed budget and checklists. Leave us your address and you'll hear about the launch — at the launch price.
In the meantime, our reference
The “Namibia on your own” guide — €29
- The same method, already applied to Africa's easiest self-drive country
- 3 day-by-day itineraries, 4x4 insurance decoded, costed budget
- Instant download, 14-day guarantee — currently in French, English edition coming
Before you go
Readers' questions about Okavango Delta
Can you visit the delta without paying for a luxury lodge?
Yes: from Maun, a day mokoro trip costs a few dozen euros per person through the community cooperatives, the flight €100-200 depending on duration, and Maun's campsites a few euros. The deep delta by lodge remains a €500-1,500/night dream — but it is not the entry ticket.
Mokoro or motorboat?
The mokoro for immersion: silent, at water level, it slips into the narrow channels. The motorboat for distance: it reaches the hippo lagoons and remote camps. Ideally combine both if time allows.