Okavango Delta

Likely the best place for African Wildlife

We explored only the souther part of the Delta not too far from urban areas.
Still, it was very rewarding. Lot's of animals such as birds, elephants, hippos and crocs.
Lions were there too, approachable by boat.

The Okavango Delta is the most amazing experience

Staying in the Okavango Delta was the highlight of my trip to Bostswana. The amazing experience started with the trip to our camp site by mokoro (canoe) along rivers and channels which are home to elephants, hippos and a huge number of birds. The trip got better and better with a walking safari past giraffe, zebras etc., swimming in the delta, and stories and games with the local guides around the campfire. Sunset over the delta will stay in my memory for a very long time.

An opportunity to submerse yourself into the iconic natural world of Africa!

The biggest highlight for me was the isolation felt within the Okavango Delta. For the entire week we were there we didn't run into any other tourists/safari companies which I have previously noticed on safari tours elsewhere. This isolation made every encounter seem incredibly more special and private and enforced the feeling that we were guests into the animals world.

Excellent safari destination with sufficient tourism infrastructure

The Okavango Delta is a beautiful place and if you can go on a game walk you will feel transported to another world. However, I would not recommend going in March. We saw no game, but enjoyed a 3-hour hike among the grass looking at animal tracks and interesting bugs.

The highlight to our trip was 3 nights at Eagle Island Lodge (Belmond) on the Okavango Delta. This was a beautiful location with first class accommodation and service. In addition to the game drives we enjoyed a walking safari and trips out on the delta, both in powered boats and by mokoro.

Magic surroundings, unique scenery,

The Okavango Delta scenery is quite unique and as you have to fly a small plane to get to one of the lodges, you can realize it as soon as you board. It is very remote and with the water reflection the light is a wonder and you ear the bush noises so clearly day or night (you can ear hyenas grunting , lions roaring, bell frogs croaking etc.). For wildlife, scarce elephants and hippos are guaranteed. But you may not see cats if you don't book in a lodge offering game drives. Most of the lodges have boat activities and bush walks (a great experience indeed), but few have game drives. If you think you will be frustrated not to see lions, choose lodges with gale drives. If you can afford to stay in two places (one in the north, one in the south), it might be advisable as you'll probably see different things. Quality wise, the accommodation we booked was not a bargain. Lodges are very expensive and the service is not quite as good as we might expect for what we paid (I know, it is the bush but...) The thing is if you are used to other safari accommodations (I live in South Africa and have tried quite a few..) you can have real value for money (even if it is not as spectacular as the Okavango)...

Photography. Exceptional bird life and water life as well as wildlife. Scenery excellent. Would highly recommend

Best Assortment of animals in diverse settings; the big five, small five, ugly five and many birds

As a long time traveler, I was concerned that my trip to the Okavango Delta would be marred by excessive tourism or local ennui with visitors. I experienced neither! From seeing predators in action to almost co-habiting with wildlife, there were wonders to enjoy every day. I probably took over 5000 photos -- of rare and common birds, of extraordinary bugs, and predator/prey behaviors, there was never a time when I was not mesmerized. I stayed in AndBeyond Sandibe Okavango Lodge (probably the most elegant of all I have stayed in) where customer service is phenomenal, and, most importantly the guides and trackers were amazing. Also stayed at Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp where the guides tailor made the safaris to our liking. Time on the water was magical. Locals are delightful. If I could, I would go back to Botswana every single year, as there is still so much more to see. AndBeyond, while not cheap, was worth every single dollar spent.

The Okavango Delta is a place you must visit while in botswana. l really recommend the mokoros to go in the delta, the guides are really competent and the scenery magical.