Wildlife of Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango floods every year in the dry season, drawing one of Africa's highest concentrations of large mammals — elephants, hippos, Cape buffalo, lions, and one of the last strongholds of African wild dogs. Mokoro (dugout canoe) safaris are the classic way to explore.
Best timeJune – October when floodwaters concentrate wildlife.
- 1The Okavango is a delta that never reaches the sea — it evaporates into the Kalahari.
- 2The delta floods after the peak rains — creating a paradise for elephants and wild dogs.
- 3Botswana holds the world's largest elephant population — ~130,000.
Signature species
Curated for Okavango Delta, Botswana, each tagged with its IUCN Red List status.
- EN
African elephant
Loxodonta africana
- EN
African wild dog
Lycaon pictus
- VU
Lion
Panthera leo
- VU
Wattled crane
Bugeranus carunculatus
- LC
Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
IUCN codes — EX extinct · EW extinct in wild · CR critically endangered · EN endangered · VU vulnerable · NT near threatened · LC least concern · DD data deficient
Dos & don'ts
Local etiquette that keeps wildlife wild.
Do
- Fly camps in shoulder season (May, Oct) to see peak wildlife with low prices.
- Choose community-owned concessions.
- Keep distance — use zoom or binoculars, never bait animals closer.
- Stay on marked trails to avoid trampling nests, burrows and plants.
Don't
- Don't wade in shallow channels — hippos and crocs.
- Don't buy ivory of any age at Maun airport shops.
- Never feed wildlife — human food changes behaviour and shortens lives.
- Don't share exact locations of nests, dens or rare species online.
Spotted here lately
Live from iNaturalist — research-grade observations within 200km, last 30 days.
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