The Wonderful Watery World of the Okavango Delta

Celebrating International Water Day

Water is the foundation of life on Earth. None of this planet’s spectacular ecosystems would exist without water – in fact, the amount of water present is a defining feature of any ecosystem. No place better embodies the complex role of water in an ecosystem than the Okavango Delta. It would seem logical that the dry season would be the time without abundant water and that the wet season would be time of plenty. In most places in the world, this simple logic holds true – but not in the Okavango Delta. After the seasonal rains recede from the Botswana skies, an influx of water seeps slowly but ever so persistently into the delta’s panhandle, spreading out into a wide fan covering nearly 6,000 square miles. This water fell as rain in the Angolan highlands, and has been traveling south down the Okavango River for roughly a month. When it reaches the delta, the riverbanks give way to the utter flatness of the sandy Kalahari, spilling into channels, filling lagoons, and once more creating islands amid the floodplains. Despite the watery paradise, this is considered the dry season, since no rains are falling locally. It’s a strange but fascinating conundrum that showcases how wonderfully unusual the natural world can be.

It’s no secret that the Mango team absolutely loves the Okavango Delta, frequently sending clients there and going on annual visits ourselves to suss out the latest camps. When you visit, this beautiful region captures your heart. Check out our favorite Okavango destinations, and call us to start planning your own adventure today! 

 

Photos from Wilderness Safaris