The Okavango Delta floodwaters – why wetter is better
The annual floodwaters are sweeping into the Okavango Delta, and the transformation is simply spectacular. Elephant swim between islands, leopard watch from the branches above, and red lechwe bound through the shallows as the plains transform into a shimmering, lily-filled wilderness.
In Botswana, the word pula means both ‘rain’ and money, the national currency. In a largely arid country, water is everything, and this season, there’s plenty of it.
It all starts in Angola
Here’s the fascinating thing about the Okavango Delta: the floods don’t come from Botswana itself; the Okavango Delta is fed by rainfall hundreds of kilometres away in the highlands of Angola. That water travels slowly south through the Okavango River system before finally spilling across northern Botswana, usually peaking between June and August.
This year, something special happened. Unusually heavy local rains arrived first, leaving the landscape already green and saturated. Then the floodwaters from Angola arrived stronger than usual and pushed the water levels up further.
The result? The fullest Okavango Delta for years.
Channels have widened into lagoons, floodplains are brimming, and routes that would normally be driven are only accessible by boat. In many areas, the Okavango Delta feels like a vast floating world of palm islands, reedbeds, and mirror-still blue water stretching as far as the eye can see.
What does this mean for a safari? In a word: extraordinary.
As the water rises, wildlife seeks dry land and make their way to the exposed islands, concentrating the wildlife in surprisingly small areas and making for exceptional viewing. Elephants swim between islands, red lechwe splash through shallow floodplains, and predators patrol the dry fringes where their prey gathers.
The flooded landscapes look particularly spectacular right now, the perfect time to enjoy mokoro (traditional dugout canoe trips) and boat trips.
That said, not all camps experience the same conditions and choosing the right one makes all the difference this season, and that’s where Aardvark Safaris expertise comes in.
Photo credit Wilderness – Little Vumbura
The best camps to consider right now
Our team has been on the ground in the Okavango Delta recently, and here’s where they recommend you stay:
Sable Alley Camp
Of all the incredible places Alex has been lucky enough to visit, Sable Alley in Botswana holds a very special place in his heart. He describes it as Africa at its most honest, raw, open and breathtaking, with a level of luxury that genuinely surprises you, right down to the private plunge pool that makes it even harder to leave your tent. Waking up to hippos wallowing on the lake directly in front of camp was, in his words, a delight to behold. What impressed him most was how effortlessly the camp works for everyone; families, groups and honeymooners alike – each guest leaving with exactly what they needed. The guides are phenomenal, but it’s the whole team’s warmth and genuine connection to local culture that really makes this camp so special.
Alex enjoying sunset reflections on the flooded plains
Shinde Camp
A firm favourite of Aardvark Safaris, Shinde Camp is set on a palm-dotted island beside a lagoon in the heart of the northern Okavango Delta, perfectly placed to make the most of this year’s superb floodwaters. The raised safari tents and lodge overlook the lagoon. With rising water levels bringing the surrounding channels and floodplains to life, the camp’s water activities are at their best. Glide silently through the shallows by mokoro, explore the deeper channels by boat, or try your hand at fishing. Lucinda says Shinde’s guides are among the best in the delta, with an impressive knowledge of the concession and a knack for reading the water and the wildlife, whether poling a mokoro within metres of a sitatunga or positioning a safari vehicle for the perfect predator sighting.
Lucinda trying her hand at fishing while staying at Shinde Camp
Splash Camp
Tucked among the trees on the edge of a pan deep inside the exclusive Kwara concession, Splash has a real edge here – while other camps struggle as roads submerge, it retains access to dry areas without losing any of the spectacular flood scenery. Our own Katy visited in April and came back raving about it. She particularly enjoyed the blend of wildlife drives and water activities that make the Botswana safari so special. For families or groups looking for extra privacy, Splash Enclave offers a dedicated vehicle, guide and private facilities.
Katy enjoying the tranquility of gliding through the waterways by mokoro
Why the rains really matter
Beyond the sheer spectacle, high-water years like this one are vital for the long-term health of the Okavango ecosystem. Different parts of the system need to flood at different intervals – some annually, some every few years, some only once in decades. Each cycle shapes different habitats, from permanent wetland to seasonal grassland, supporting different species along the way. From above, the transformation is striking, with water spreading across the Kalahari sands in long ribbons and broad floodplains. The Okavango Delta sits within the greater Kalahari Desert, which makes the scale of this annual inundation all the more remarkable. Many camps in the area offer a doors-off helicopter ride over the floodplains, and if you need any convincing, Katy described hovering above the Okavango Delta, wind in your face, water stretching endlessly below, as one of the most breathtaking moments of her safari.
Ready to see this spectacle for yourself?
Conditions this season are genuinely special, but they’re also more nuanced than a typical year, which means expert guidance really helps. Our Botswana specialists know exactly which camps are performing best right now and can tailor an itinerary around your priorities, whether that’s water-based experiences, predator sightings, birdwatching, or all three.
What’s next?
Get inspired and sign up to our free Insiders Guide to Africa. We would be delighted to help with planning your perfect safari holiday, whenever you want to travel. Our team of experts has travelled widely throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean and can offer expert advice. Do get in touch – chatting to people by phone or email is what we do best. We listen, we explain, we answer all sorts of questions even those you didn’t know to ask, and finally we make suggestions. If this is your first time to Africa or your twenty first, we have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the best ever. Please get in touch whatever stage you’re at.
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