Okovango Delta, Botswana

In the middle of Botswana, the Okovango delta forms where several rivers meet. The waters of this inland delta never reach the ocean though. Rains arrive in Angola and Zimbabwe in January and February and flow south. By June the delta is flooded by 11 trillion liters of water. Right now it is very dry, even though it is the rainy season here; the landscape will look completely different in the flood season.

I went on day safaris, driving around, walking inside the delta, and boating on the water in a mokoro (like a canoe but moved with a pole). Amazing wildlife and big sky landscapes!

Red lechwe antelope are unique to the area and eat aquatic vegetation.

Bored hippo

Kudu male antelope

Buffalo – the males have thick horns across the forehead for fighting while the females have thinner plates.

Hornbill – I think I’ve seen all the main Lion King characters now!

Giraffe and zebra are often found together, along with wildebeests, because they eat different food – so no competition- and can sense predators differently so they protect one another.

Saddle billed crane

Majestic baobab tree

Reed frog – about 2 inches long

Exploring the delta in a mokoro