Flight Over the Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta: a UNESCO World Heritage site and a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts! Discover the largest inland delta in the world, where water and wildlife come together in a magical experience that makes Botswana a top destination.

Okavango Delta: Where Does the Name Come From?

Thousands of years ago, the name "Delta" was coined by the Greek historian Herodotus. He believed that the delta of the Nile resembled the Greek letter delta (Δ). The Okavango Delta adheres to the silt principle, where silt blocks the water, creating marshland. However, it’s fair to say that its shape is more like a reaching witch’s hand than a triangle.

Okavango Delta: What’s the Best Time to Visit?

The best time to visit the Okavango Delta is from May to September. This period corresponds to winter in Botswana, bringing pleasant temperatures. Due to the dry season, the vegetation is sparse, which increases your chances of spotting wildlife. Animals flock to water sources, allowing for great sightings, making it perfect for a safari!

A Flight Over the Okavango Delta

From Maun, you can take a scenic flight in a small aircraft over the Delta. The aircraft climbs to around 100 metres, high enough to see the sights without disturbing the wildlife. Maun gives way to a vast green plain with wetlands, small rivers, and large lakes. You’ll see elephant families navigating the swampy fields and buffalo herds grazing on the dry land. Giraffes nibble leaves from trees, while hippos wallow in the water. After about an hour, you’ll land back in Maun, having had an experience you won’t forget!

What Are the Costs for a Flight Over the Delta?

Because these are small planes, they can accommodate 4-6 people per flight. Be sure to book your scenic flight well in advance to avoid disappointment. Keep in mind that this is not a cheap experience, with flights typically costing around 120-160 USD. The price depends on the number of people on your flight. While it’s not inexpensive, it’s an unforgettable experience you won’t want to miss during your travels in Botswana!

Okavango Delta: What Else Is There to Do?

In addition to a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy in this vast wilderness of Botswana. Here are a few options to get you started – but be sure to consult your Travel Consultants for other possibilities!

1. Wildlife Spotting at the Okavango River

This vast marshland is fed by the Okavango River, which begins in the highlands of Angola and ends in the Kalahari. It takes the water about six months to travel from Angola to the southernmost point of the Delta, in Maun. During the dry season (the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months), wildlife moves into the Delta to feast on the lush greenery created by the rising waters. Elephants, giraffes, hippos, and buffalo are easy to spot from the air, but the Okavango Delta also has a much broader variety of wildlife, including crocodiles, snakes, tortoises, antelope, warthogs, lions, hyenas, wild dogs, and leopards!

2. Visit the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve

Linyanti Wildlife Reserve lies in the Chobe National Park, all the way in the north, bordering Savuti. Due to its remote location, it’s a quiet safari destination surrounded by lush and verdant nature. Hidden behind dense vegetation or concealed in the marshes, you’ll find the full spectrum of African wildlife! You’re sure to spot lions, sable and roan antelope, elephants, and dozens of unique bird species. And with so much water, you can also enjoy sightings of our large, friendly hippos.

Tip: At the start of the winter months, entire herds of elephants migrate to the Linyanti River and stay there until the rainy season begins!

3. Swap Your Car for a Canoe

You can cross the area by 4x4, but why not swap your car for a canoe? Paddling along the Linyanti River, you can spot various types of wildlife. Since this entire area is private, it does make the destination a costly one. But when you catch sight of a pack of wild dogs hunting, with an elephant playing in the water in the background, that experience – and the picture-perfect shot for home – will be well worth it!

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