About Okavango Delta

Okavango Delta is situated in Botswana. Okavango backpacking tours offer some of Africa's top game viewing experiences, plus a wealth of attractions for travelers to see and do.

Okavango Delta Budget Travel

Okavango Delta budget travel is very easy with great value for money backpacking tours and fantastic highlights. Below is useful information on Okavango Delta to help you plan your budget holiday in Okavango Delta. We offer a variety of budget tours and backpacking advice in Okavango Delta.

Airports

Okavango Delta airports include:
• Maun Airport
• Some camps have private airstrips

Birdlife

Okavango Delta birdlife includes a large number of water bird, ranging from stork to fishing owl, and with the delta’s cool, clear waters and beautiful lush habitats, the area is a paradise for bird species. Okavango bird watching trips rank almost as highly as safaris, with boat trips on offer to take birders through the delta, exploring the diverse habitats of papyrus, palms and reeds, spotting a large number of birds along the route.

Conservation

As one of the leading conservationist countries in Africa, Botswana’s Okavango Delta conservation is strong and successful. A third of the delta is protected within the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, and a number of initiatives are in place to protect and preserve the precious ecosystems, including eco-tourism, controlled hunting and photographic tourism projects.

Culture

Okavango Delta cultures include:
• Many local tribes are hunter-gatherers
• Agriculture plays a key part in income and traditional cultures
• Art plays a key role in ancient and modern cultures
• Music is an important cultural heritage
• Clothing and cultural identification is another key cultural factor

Customs

The following items are allowed for over 18 year old travelers:
• 400 cigarettes , 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
• 2 liters of wine and 1 liter of spirits
• 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
• Cameras must be declared on arrival
• Currency must be declared on arrival

Health

One of the largest Okavango Delta health concerns is malaria, so be sure to take proper malaria medication and take basic precautions such as long sleeved clothing and mosquito nets. Tap water may not be drinkable; however there will always be bottled water available at every camp. All camps have first aid kits and guides are often trained in first aid too.

AIDS

Okavango Delta HIV/AIDS precautions include:
• Don’t ever share needles or syringes
• Practice safe sex at all times
• Equipment may not be adequately sterilised, or blood may not be properly screened for HIV
• If you require self-administered injections, take an adequate supply of your own needles

Vaccinations

The following inoculations are required when visiting Okavango Delta:
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A & B
• Rabies
• Tetanus
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever

Languages

Okavango Delta languages include:
• Setswana 78%
• English (official language)

Malaria

The following malaria medication can be taken when visiting Okavango Delta:
• Mefloquine (Lariam)
• Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)
• Doxycycline

Money

Okavango Delta money and baking info includes:
• The nearest large city is Maun which has a number of banks and ATMs
• Travellers cheques may be able to be exchanged at the larger camps, however it is best to come prepared with local currency
• US Dollars are sometimes accepted at large camps but not always
• Credit cards are only accepted at the larger camps

People

Okavango Delta people include the following tribal groups:
• Hambukushu
• Dxeriku
• Wayeyi
• Bugakwe
• Xanekwe

Phrase

Key Etosha National Park local phrases include:
• Hello - Dumela
• How are you? - O kae?
• I am fine - Ke teng
• Please ' Tsweetswee
• Thank you - Ke a leboga

Vaccinations

The following inoculations are required when visiting Okavango Delta:
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A & B
• Rabies
• Tetanus
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever

Plants

Okavango Delta plants and vegetation is rich and diverse, and includes key ecosystems such as papyrus-lined waterways, floodplains, water-lily lagoons, shady forest glades and rich savannah grasslands. Set in the middle of the Kalahari Desert, Okavango is a rich and fertile oasis which is filled with lush vegetation all year round.

Religion

Okavango Delta religion includes:
• Indigenous beliefs 85%
• Christians 15%

Safety Tips

• Lodges and camps are generally unfenced, so don’t attempt to sleep outside your tent as there may well be dangerous wild animals prowling the area
• Do not ever attempt to feed or touch any wildlife you see ' many species could be dangerous and human interference is not permitted
• Stay in your car during game drives and follow your guide’s instructions at all times to ensure safety
• While most camps are free of crime, it is best to keep valuables in the safe and do not leave anything lying around which could be too tempting to resist
• The water is generally not safe for swimming, and crocodiles or hippos may be lurking within the banks

Transport

Okavango Delta local transport includes:
• Plane
• 4x4 safari vehicle
• Makoro

Travel Books

Okavango Delta recommended travel books include:
• Okavango: A Journey by Robyn Keene-Young and Adrian Bailey
• Okavango: Africa's Last Eden by Frans Lanting
• Botswana: Okavango Delta, Chobe, Northern Kalahari 2nd Edition Bradt Travel Guide by Chris McIntyre
• Trees & Shrubs of the Okavango Delta by Veronica Roodt
• Wild About the Okavango: All-In-One Guide to Common Animals and Plants of the Okavango Delta, Chobe and East Caprivi by Duncan Butchart

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Botswana

What To Buy

• Okavango Delta travel books and bird or wildlife guide
• Good, sturdy backpack plus a decent moneybag
• Long life battery-free torch or torch with plenty of spare batteries
• Sleeping bag and camping mattress if you are camping on an overlanding trip
• Plug adapters for US and UK visitors

What To Pack

• Neutral coloured clothing in loose, lightweight fabric with long sleeves
• Sturdy, waterproof hiking or walking shoes plus a pair of sandals
• Camera, spare film, batteries and binoculars
• Sunglasses, sunhat and sunscreen
• Warm jacket for cool evenings or cooler seasons

When To Go

• The dry season runs from July to October
• This season offers the best game viewing as wildlife converges on water holes
• The rainy season runs from December to March
• This season is the greenest, and many animals give birth around this time
• Photographic opportunities are also best in the rainy season

Wildlife

Okavango Delta wildlife is rich and diverse, and a range of animal species can be found in the delta’s habitats. Currently there are 164 species of mammal, 157 species of reptile, 84 species of fish and over 5,000 different insects to be found within the delta. There are a number of game parks within the area which offer excellent game viewing, with elephant, lion and many other species to be seen.