The Okavango Delta
Unlike most major river systems, the Okavango never reaches the ocean — its waters spread into the Kalahari, forming an immense inland delta of channels, lagoons, floodplains, islands and grassland. The Delta transforms with the seasons: its annual flood typically arrives during Botswana's dry season, bringing water to the wilderness precisely when surrounding regions are driest.
Twelve regions within the Delta
12 regionsMoremi Game Reserve — the wildlife heart of the Delta
Occupies the eastern Okavango Delta and ranks among Botswana's best-known protected areas. Unusually compact yet diverse, it combines permanent water, seasonal floodplains, woodland, savannah and open grassland, supporting elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, wild dog, hippo and numerous antelope on game drives. Suits travellers wanting the classic combination of water and big-game safari.
Okavango Panhandle — the source of the Delta
Where the Okavango River enters Botswana from Angola — a narrower system of deep, permanent channels, distinct from the broader Delta downstream. One of Botswana's premier fishing destinations, with large fish populations supporting fishing, birding, boating and mokoro excursions, and a strong cultural dimension among river communities.
Western Okavango Delta — remote water wilderness
Extensive permanent water systems, remote islands and low-density development define the Western Delta — suited to travellers seeking exclusivity, tranquillity and genuine wilderness. Depending on water levels, activities range across mokoro excursions, boating, walking and game drives.
Southern Okavango Delta — water, islands & seasonal floodplains
A transitional environment where permanent Delta waterways merge with seasonal floodplains and drier savannah, creating a varied safari setting equally suited to water- and land-based safari.
Eastern Okavango Delta — the gateway to Moremi
One of the most accessible, wildlife-rich parts of the greater Delta, transitioning naturally into Moremi Game Reserve across floodplains, channels, woodland and savannah — productive for elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and wild dog, often combined with Moremi and Khwai.
Xakanaxa Region — classic Moremi safari
One of Moremi's best-known safari areas, centred on the Xakanaxa Lagoon where water and dry land meet, creating excellent habitat for aquatic species and large mammals alike — boat excursions, mokoro experiences and game drives depending on seasonal water levels.
3rd Bridge Area — woodland, floodplain & wildlife
Named for the famous crossing over one of the Delta's waterways, within Moremi amid open floodplains, mopane and acacia woodland, channels and seasonal water — excellent sightings of elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog and other plains game.
Xini & Blackpools — remote southern Moremi
The remote southern reaches of the Moremi ecosystem — floodplains, seasonal water, woodland and open grassland. Strong predator country, suiting travellers seeking lower-density wilderness that can feel considerably more remote than the better-known parts of Moremi.
Khwai Region — where Moremi meets the wild
One of northern Botswana's premier safari destinations, the Khwai River forms the boundary between the Moremi ecosystem and surrounding wildlife management areas, giving permanent water in an otherwise seasonally dry landscape — exceptional wildlife, especially elephant, wild dog, lion, leopard and buffalo, across private and community areas offering day and night game drives, off-road viewing, walking, mokoro and cultural experiences.
Kwando Region — the northern wilderness
Around the Kwando River and its floodplains, forming part of a key wildlife corridor linking the Okavango to the Linyanti and Chobe systems — famous for elephant, lion, leopard and African wild dog across enormous tracts of untouched, low-density private wilderness.
Selinda Reserve — the predator & elephant wilderness
Between the Okavango and Linyanti ecosystems, linked by the Selinda Spillway, a natural waterway that can connect the two and creates an exceptional wildlife corridor — renowned for elephant, wild dog, lion, leopard and outstanding wilderness landscapes.
Jao Reserve — deep Okavango wilderness
In the western Okavango, one of the Delta's classic private wilderness areas, with extensive permanent waterways, lagoons, islands and seasonal floodplains. Water-based safari — boating and mokoro — is the core experience, synonymous with exclusive Okavango safari and high-quality guiding.
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See all four ways into Botswana, ready-to-quote itineraries and the rest of the region index.
Botswana overview