About Kanana
Forests, floodplains and permanent channels set the scene at Kanana for some memorable activities – especially on water.
It's a heady mix, enhanced by an unfussy yet comfortable camp with good food, very good guiding, and the little things that can make a stay extra special.
Homemade biscuits in your chalet; a help-yourself drinks sideboard; a whisky decanter that appears as if by magic each evening.
A broader canvas introduces exclusive access by boat along papyrus-lined channels to an impressive heronry; beloved of pink-backed pelicans, ibises and uncountable storks and egrets, it undoubtedly has the “wow” factor.
So, too, does spending a night under the dazzling African sky on Kanana’s sleep-out deck, with a log fire lit on a termite mound and extensive views over the surrounding floodplain.
Back in camp, canvas-and-wood chalets are deceptively attractive, their polished hardwood floors set with delicately woven reed mats; their huge beds enveloped by mosquito netting; their decks taking in the view.
Return from seeking out the Okavango’s wildlife on land or on water to cool off in the free-form pool or to cosy up in the lounge with a book. Then gather round the firepit – with half an eye on the animals grazing in front – to swap stories before a convivial dinner.
Our view
The environment around Kanana is particularly beautiful, the camp's guides are generally very good, and the water activities are excellent. If you visit between around July and October, we'd be surprised if even those with only a passing interest in birds failed to be impressed by the sheer magnitude and variety of birds at the heronry. However, this isn't a camp for a first-rate game safari between around May and November, when water levels are high.
Botswana expert
Accommodation
9 tented chalets
Children
Best for 10+
Open
March - December
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Mokoro
Night drive
Private activities
Traveller reviews of Kanana
78 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
Expert Africa's gallery
When we travel we take lots of photos ourselves to give you a real and un-edited view of the safaris. See our 24 pictures and 1 videos of Kanana to get the candid view.
View gallerySafaris visiting Kanana
Just ideas, we'll always tailor-make a trip for you
Tsessebe Safari
7 days • 3 locations • 1 country
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
Visit three sister-camps in and around Moremi Game Reserve during this thorough exploration of the Okavango Delta. A range of activities provide excellent opportunity to observe the local birdlife, mammals and fauna.
Visiting Okavango Delta, Moremi & Surrounds
US$8,240 - US$11,410 per person
Ground Squirrel Safari
7 days • 2 locations • 1 country
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
Experiencing the wilderness with an engaging guide whilst staying in a private mobile camp is often the highlight of a safari. Combine that with a charming camp overlooking the Okavango Delta and you’re onto a winner!
Visiting Moremi & Surrounds, Okavango Delta
US$8,840 - US$11,190 per person
Kanana: Our full report
In the heart of the Okavango Delta, adjoining Moremi Game Reserve, Kanana lies on the edge of a permanent channel.
The camp nestles among towering jackalberry (African ebony) trees, knobthorn acacias and sausage trees, in a wider environment of forests and open seasonal floodplains. This, combined with permanent channels and lush flood meadows, means that the camp is able to offer a very full range of activities.
The nine tented chalets at Kanana Camp are large, structured tents raised on wooden decks. Spread out along wooden walkways and dried elephant dung pathways (which are much nicer than they sound!), all overlook the channel or seasonal floodplains in front of camp. Each chalet is constructed around a solid frame of thick wooden beams, around which thick canvas is stretched, giving the feel of a much more substantial wall.
At the front of each chalet is a shaded deck with two comfortable wooden chairs. The front 'wall' is almost fully meshed, with sliding doors. This, together with a high roof and mesh windows running along either side, lends an open and airy feel to the rooms.
Although the chalets look simple from the outside, we found that the interiors are spacious, airy and attractive, with polished hardwood floors and reed mats add warmth. Taking center stage are three-quarter-size twin beds – which can be made into a double on request – beneath a large walk-in mosquito net. On the writing/vanity table is information about the camp and area. An open steel-and-wood framed wardrobe incorporates a mirror, a small keylock safe and a luggage rack. On the opposite side of the room are a couple of armchairs and a floor-standing fan. We particularly loved the thoughtful little touches like the tin of homemade biscuits and the whisky decanter that appeared in the evenings.
The spacious en-suite bathroom is at the back of the chalet, reached through a wooden door. A glass-fronted walk-in shower enclosure gives the room a modern and light feel. There is also a flushing toilet and “his and hers” washbasins, plus a good selection of organic and environmentally friendly complimentary toiletries. The family room is consists of two bedrooms and a shared ensuite with an indoor and outdoor shower.
Kanana also has a Sleep Out Deck, where – weather permitting – guests can enjoy a night under the star studded African sky. The deck is a split-level timber platform with extensive views over the surrounding floodplain. On the upper level is a bed with a table and chairs; below are a toilet and basin. Near the foot of the platform is an old termite mound where there are a couple of directors’ chairs, and a cosy fire is lit so you can sit and enjoy the night sounds of the bush. For security, an armed guide is stationed nearby in a separate tent. The Sleep Out Deck is about a 15-minute drive from camp and guests wishing to take advantage of it are normally driven out after dinner, then woken up in the morning with tea and coffee and driven back to camp for breakfast.
Kanana's main lounge and dining area is arranged in a circular fashion on raised decks around an impressive ancient strangler fig tree which grows up through the middle of the main area. This open-sided structure is essentially split into three sections, including two comfortable seating areas with sofas and a selection of coffee-table books. One of these incorporates the bar area, where guests are invited to help themselves from a sideboard containing a selection of spirits and wines, and a wooden cupboard housing a large fridge.
Although there is no curio shop per se, a small selection of curios for sale are displayed in two glass-fronted cabinets.
Between the two lounge areas is an indoor dining area with a long dining table – where everybody normally eats together – as well as a tea- and coffee-making station. For outdoor dining, however, there’s a raised deck to the rear of the central area.
Beyond this, steps lead down to a sandy firepit with views out onto a grassy floodplain. At the time of our most recent visit, in January 2024, this was being grazed by a herd of red lechwe and a distant hippo. With the arrival of the flood this area fills with water and the camp’s water activities are conducted from the jetty here. The firepit is often a popular gathering spot to swap stories after dinner.
Just a short walk from the main area, a really nice pool deck set with numerous loungers surrounds a larger-than-average-size pool for a camp in the Okavango.
Activities at Kanana are as varied as the landscape around the camp. They include day and night 4WD game drives, mokoro trips and motorboat excursions, as well as bush walks with an armed guide.
In recent years the Okavango has seen lower flood levels in this area. The game quality has become increasingly better year-round at Kanana. On our most recent visit, we had incredible game viewing, with three leopard sightings, numerous lion sightings and a pair of hyenas playing in a muddy waterhole. But it was the seldom-seen cheetah brothers that stole the show, with two successful hunts.
We also enjoyed a long bush walk, where the focus was to burn off some safari food, along the way encountering a pod of hippo, herds of red lechwe and some rather noisy baboons!
On previous visits, between May and November, the focus at Kanana has been firmly on water-based activities rather than game-viewing. On one visit our team did a mokoro trip when, besides some fabulous water birds, a close-up sighting of the rare sitatunga antelope was the highlight. You can also take a rod out on a boat trip and try your hand at fishing.
As the water levels in the Delta rise each year, the seasonal floodplains and channels around Kanana are usually filled – affecting the concentrations of big game in the area. We thought the area very beautiful on our game drive at this time of year, but game (even plains game) was thin on the ground. This matched our observations of the game densities seen from other camps in this private reserve, Nxabega and Pom Pom.
Kanana also has exclusive access to one of the Okavango's largest heronries, about 35–40 minutes by boat from the camp. The boats weave and wind their way through a series of papyrus- and reed-lined channels before reaching the breeding site for pink-backed pelicans, yellow-billed and marabou storks, grey herons, ibises and assorted egrets. This remarkable birding spectacle is usually best between mid-July and October.
With families in mind, Kanana can offer the Young Explorers Club. Families with children as young as seven years old can hire the services of an experienced private Specialist Family Guide. The guide’s role is to provide the family with engaging, age-appropriate activities on a flexible schedule. Activities vary considerably from the standard safari options. During their stay, children may be involved in activities as diverse as making bows and arrows, playing football with the camp staff, fishing, identifying tracks and learning to make and cook over a fire.
Geographics
- Location
- Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana
- Ideal length of stay
- Two to three nights is usually perfect here. Most visitors will use Kanana for water activities, particularly during the dry season, and combine it with a good camp for big-game and land-based safaris.
When Kanana is combined in the same itinerary with one of its other sister camps – Shinde, Shinde Footsteps, Okuti or Dinaka – there may be a slightly reduced rate. Please ask us for more details and whether this might apply to your trip. - Directions
- The camp is accessed by a 15–20 minute light aircraft flight from Maun, followed by a five- to ten-minute transfer from the airstrip.
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- Meals at Kanana are usually sociable occasions around a communal table – although special requests and private dining can usually be catered for.
On our most recent stay in January 2024 the food was incredibly tasty! The camp can cater for most dietary needs– vegetarian, vegan, coeliacs etc – but they must be informed well in advance.
The day starts with a wake-up call, when tea, coffee, juice or hot chocolate is served to your tent. Breakfast is served before the morning activity. We had a choice of cereals, fresh and stewed fruit, and toast, as well as a full cooked option.
For brunch, after the morning activity, we were served yummy lasagne, Okavango fish (tilapia), mushroom and parmesan pasta, with roasted butternut squash and sweet peppers, homemade bread and a cheese platter.
For afternoon tea, before departing on our afternoon activity, we had a choice of sweet and savoury treats served with iced tea, homemade lemonade, hot and iced tea and coffee. We loved the spicy quesadillas and the chocolate toffee cake.
Dinner is generally three courses and once again did not disappoint. For starters we had a very tasty butternut soup and homemade bread. This was followed by beef fillet, alongside a mixture of roast vegetables, and a spinach quiche. We finished off with crème brulé for dessert. - Dining style
- Group Meals
- Dining locations
- Indoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- There is no room service.
- Drinks included
- Soft drinks, bottled water, spirits, local beers and a selection of (generally) South African wines are included. Imported wines and spirits and champagne cost extra – and may need to be requested in advance.
Guests are usually given a water bottle on arrival with filtered water, which they are encouraged to top up from the filtered supply in the camp's main area. Each room is also provided with glasses and a flask of filtered drinking water.
Special interests
- Family holidays
- Kanana is ideal for a family safari in Botswana with a large family tent, child-friendly meals, and no need to book a private vehicle for kids under 12. A private vehicle adds flexibility, and the Young Explorers programme offers a guided, family-focused safari.
- See ideas for Family holidays in Botswana
- Birdwatching
- Kanana offers motorboat access to an enormous heronry where, from mid-July onwards, many migratory waterbirds come to nest. With yellow-billed, open-billed and marabou storks, reed cormorants, pink-backed pelicans, grey herons and sacred ibis, it’s a superb opportunity for birdwatchers in Botswana.
- See ideas for Birdwatching in Botswana
- Walking safaris
- For a walking safari in Botswana, Kanana offers bush walks with an experienced, armed guide who will explain tracks and signs. Often following old hippo paths, these are usually slow walks, with a view to giving visitors a deeper understanding of the environment.
- See ideas for Walking safaris in Botswana
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Kanana has a large family tent with two bedrooms and a shared en-suite bathroom. There is enough space to sleep a family of five. Kanana has a minimum age of 7 years.
- Property’s age restrictions
- Kanana has a minimum age of seven years and does not require families to book a private vehicle.
- Special activities & services
- Young Explorers is available at Kanana from March to November, for a minimum of three nights. It is also available at sister camps in Botswana, including Shinde Footsteps, Okuti Camp and Dinaka. By combining this option across two or more camps, the whole family can experience the diverse areas of the Delta, with the same exclusive guide throughout.
- Generally recommended for children
- Kanana has a more relaxed child policy than most other camps in the Okavango Delta, where it's unusual for families with children under 12 years not to have to book and pay for a private vehicle. They also allow triple rooms, which can make Kanana comparatively economical for a small family. However, because children will generally accompany adults on all activities, we suggest that families with younger children may want to consider booking a private vehicle, which will allow for much greater flexibility.
- Notes
- The camp has a fence to restrict large game movement in camp. The camp is also in close proximity to water. Children must be under the constant supervision of their parents or guardians at all times.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Kanana
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Kanana have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
94% success
93% success
92% success
73% success
64% success
50% success
27% success
23% success
21% success
8% success
8% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is a single charging point in each room.
The power supply supports the use of hairdryers but only those issued by the camp office. - Communications
- There is WiFi in the guest rooms, but no cellphone reception. Kanana uses radios to communicate with both its head office in Maun and its sister camps.
- TV & radio
- There is no TV or radio.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- All the tented rooms have plumbed hot and cold running water for showers as well as flush toilets. Guests are usually given a water bottle on arrival with filtered water, which they are encouraged to top up from the filtered supply in the camp’s main area. Each room is also provided with glasses and a flask of filtered drinking water.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- All the managers are first-aid trained and there are first-aid kits on site. The closest doctor is in Maun, which is a 25-minute flight. Medical evacuation is available from the camp in case of a serious emergency. Please note that it is only possible to fly out of camp during daylight hours as the bush airstrips do not have any lighting at night.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- Because wild animals are known to move through Kanana, guests are escorted to their rooms when it is dark. There are foghorns in the rooms for use as alarms in an emergency.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in all the rooms and common areas, as well as in boats and vehicles.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Mokoro
Night drive
Private activities
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A laundry service is included, including undergarments, although washing powder is provided for those who wish to do their own. If weather permits, laundry collected in the morning will be returned on the same day.
- Money
- There is a small key lock safe in each room. There are no exchange facilities at the camp.
- Accepted payment on location
- Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted; Diners and Amex are not. Cash payments may be made in the form of South African rand, GB sterling, US dollars, euros and Botswana pula.
Plan and book your trip with Expert Africa
All of our trips are tailor-made, so we'll always adapt them to suit you. Talk to an Expert and let us plan and arrange your perfect trip.
Talk to an Expert
Call or email us now! We’ll match you with the Specialist in our team who is best suited to help you. Then together we can start planning your trip.
Set up your itinerary
Based on our experience and your ideas, your specialist will create a detailed, costed itinerary. We’ll refine it together, until we have a trip that you’re perfectly happy with.
Prepare for your trip
The same Specialist will make the seamless arrangements for your trip, send you detailed travel documents, and be available to answer any questions before you depart.
Travel with peace of mind
After you set off, you’ll be cared for by our partners in Africa, most of whom have worked with Expert Africa for decades. And if you ever need us urgently, we’re available 24/7.
When you return
We love to learn about your trip, and so will always be grateful if you’ve the time to give feedback to your Specialist when you return.
Kanana's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Kanana.
Excursions from Kanana
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Kanana. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.
Helicopter Flight - Botswana
Various: from 30 minutes to half a day.
Low-flying, agile and offering superb views, helicopters are an ideal way to move around the Okavango Delta.You can use them instead of fixed-wing inter-lodge transfers or as an addition to other wildlife watching activities, and of course, helicopters can hover to allow that perfect pic, whereas fixed-wings can’t.
More about Helicopter FlightOther lodges in Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Kwara Camp
Kwara Camp's private reserve boasts land and water activities year-round, with excellent game-viewing opportunities and access to permanent channels of the north-east Okavango Delta.
Little Vumbura
On a secluded island within a private reserve, Little Vumbura combines superb game viewing with a broad diversity of habitats in a truly picturesque setting.
Shinde Camp
With experienced staff and a wealth of activities, Shinde offers a traditional safari in an exceptionally varied and wildlife-rich environment.
Splash Camp
Set in the Kwara Reserve, offering superb wildlife viewing year-round, Splash offers both land and water activities led by guides with a particular knack for tracking big game.
Chitabe Lediba
Chitabe Lediba, in Botswana's southern Okavango Delta, is a small family friendly safari camp; it offers great dry-land safaris and in our experience consistently delivers good game sightings.
Sandibe Safari Lodge
The luxurious Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge lies in a private concession in the heart of the Okavango Delta, beside Moremi Game Reserve, with superb big-game viewing.
Chitabe Camp
In the southern Okavango Delta, the excellent Chitabe Camp concentrates on dry-land safaris in an area that we've found particularly good for wild dog sightings.
Shinde Footsteps
Small and simple, but comfortable, Shinde Footsteps focuses on walking safaris as well as game drives; it also runs a special children's programme so is particularly suitable for families.
Nxabega Tented Camp
Nxabega offers a selection of both land- and water-based activities, plus very good guiding, food and service, but game viewing can be somewhat erratic.
Gomoti Plains
Overlooking a tributary of the Gomoti River, Gomoti Plains Camp is a classically designed camp with very comfortable tents in a good game-viewing area.
Tubu Tree Camp
A traditional tented camp with a distinctive tree-house feel, Tubu Tree offers some of the best game viewing in the Jao Reserve.
Vumbura Plains
Indulgently stylish and luxurious, Vumbura Plains offers superb game viewing and birding on an exceptionally varied private reserve.
Jacana Camp
Jacana Camp is a small safari camp with an informal island feel; it is ideal for water-based activities in the Delta and offers excellent birdwatching.
Duba Explorers Camp
Intimate and elegant, Duba Explorers Camp promises a firm safari focus in a remote corner of the Okavango, led by a team who value the highest guiding and hosting standards.
Kwetsani Camp
Deep in the Delta, overlooking a floodplain, Kwetsani Camp is a small, high-end camp with good access to areas for land and water-based activities.
Mma Dinare
Beautifully located in a private concession overlooking the Gomoti River, the traditional Mma Dinare is very well-priced for the Okavango Delta.
Pom Pom Camp
Amidst stunning Okavango Delta scenery, Pom Pom offers idyllic mokoro trips in season, great birdwatching, and increasingly good big-game sightings, especially leopards.
Mapula Lodge
For an affordable yet varied safari encompassing a range of eco-systems, the traditional Mapula Lodge takes a lot of beating.
Duba Plains Camp
Duba Plains Camp is a traditional yet luxurious safari camp, best known for the thrilling lion behavior interaction that is often see during the day.
Baines' Camp
Baines' Camp is a well-run, intimate camp in a pretty part of the Okavango, offering a range of activities and the option to spend a morning walking with elephants.
Stanley's Camp
In a private concession south of Moremi Game Reserve, Stanley's Camp offers 4WD game drives, seasonal water activities and a superb elephant interaction.
Little Tubu
Little Tubu is a new, traditional camp with just three tented chalets and a distinctive tree-house feel. The areas around it can be explored by water and land-based activities year round.
4 Rivers
4 Rivers is a new camp in a previously in accessible area of the excellent Kwara concession.
Pelo Camp
In a pristine wilderness environment deep in the Okavango Delta, the seasonal Pelo Camp is tented yet comfortable, with activities focusing on excursions by mokoro.
Rra Dinare
Located in a private concession in the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta, overlooking the Gomoti River, Rra Dinare is a traditional-style, well-priced camp.
Xaranna
Xaranna is a plush tented camp amongst the idyllic waterways and islands of the Delta. Each air-conditioned tent has a plunge pool. Water activities and pampering are the focus here.
Jao Camp
In a beautiful area with fantastic water activities, Jao combines an idyllic location with high levels of luxury and service, and a top-end spa.
Setari Camp
Setari Camp stands on an island dotted with palm trees, close to the base of the Okavango’s ‘Panhandle"
Okavango Explorers
The traditional, tented Okavango Explorers Camp offers a mix of walking, canoeing and game drives led by great guides in a wildlife-rich area.
Kiri Camp
Kiri Camp is the latest Okavango offering from the excellent team behind Machaba. In an exciting new location in the heart of the Delta we cannot wait to visit this new camp.
Karangoma
New for 2024, Karangoma is a classic, tented camp offering walking, canoeing and game drives, in partnership with the local Bukakwe San clan.
Duke’s Camp
On a remote island within a large concession, the romantic Duke's Camp and smaller Duke’s East are nestled among mature trees overlooking wildlife-rich plains and waterways of the Okavango.
Okavango Walking Safari
The Okavango Delta Walking Safari camps in a secluded Okavango Delta Reserve where there are few roads; the ideal location for a walking trail led by an expert guide.
Sitatunga Island Camp
Tucked away in a pristine corner of the Okavango Delta, the exclusive Sitatunga Private Island is a water-based camp offering boating, mokoro trips and fishing.
Atzaro Okavango
With a high level of tasteful luxury promised at Atzaro, we think it will be best suited to travellers seeking a touch of pampering alongside their safari.
Mokolwane
Deep in the heart of the Okavango, the simple Mokolwane focuses on wildlife viewing in a large, untouched area.
Eagle Island Lodge
Eagle Island Lodge is a luxurious camp with international-style facilities including air conditioning and intercom in each room; offering water based activities in the Okavango Delta.
North Island Okavango
Deep in quintessentially “Okavango” territory, between deep-water and dry-land habitats, North Island focuses on a luxury safari experience with very good wildlife viewing opportunities.
Mbamba
Deep within the northern Okavango, the classically styled Mbamba is set to open in a wildlife-rich private concession in April 2025.
Qorokwe Camp
Luxurious and contemporary, the relatively new Qorokwe Camp is a gem in the Okavango Delta, offering land- and occasionally water-based activities in a prime wildlife area.
When to go to Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Kanana in Okavango Delta Safari Reserves
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Okavango Delta Safari Reserves in January
January marks the peak of the rainy season in the Okavango Delta. Evening rains are often short but heavy, accompanied by occasional dramatic thunderstorms. Temperatures remain high, although cooler than the preceding months of October to December. Wildlife can be harder to spot as animals spread out across the lush floodplains.
This month is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with migratory species in abundance over flooded areas. Rising water levels in parts of the Delta make mokoro safaris possible, offering serene and immersive experiences. The vibrant greenery and dramatic skies provide stunning opportunities for photography. With relatively low rates and fewer visitors, January is ideal for those seeking a quieter, budget-conscious Botswana safari.
- Warm temperatures with frequent evening showers
- Birdlife at its most spectacular in the Delta
- Wildlife dispersed, but insects and smaller creatures abound
- Excellent availability in Delta lodges and camps
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in January
Okavango Delta Safari Reserves in February
February mirrors January’s weather patterns, with heavy rains and slightly cooler temperatures. The Delta’s landscape is at its greenest and teeming with life. Smaller animals, insects, and vibrant birdlife dominate, as many species raise their young. The rains create temporary pools and waterholes, further dispersing larger game, while thick vegetation and tall grass adds to the challenge of spotting big wildlife.
However, Moremi Game Reserve and select areas of the Delta still offer excellent game viewing opportunities. Rising water levels enhance water activities, with boat safaris providing unique access to the Delta’s watery beauty. February is particularly rewarding for photographers seeking lush landscapes and dramatic skies and birdwatchers, with many migratory species present.
- Warm with occasional thunderstorms
- Many animals with young in the Delta
- Big game dispersed throughout wetlands
- Big game dispersed, but viewing improves in drier areas
- Lower visitor numbers and great lodge availability
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in February
Okavango Delta Safari Reserves in March
March marks the gradual end of the main rainy season in the Okavango Delta. Sunny days become more frequent, with occasional afternoon thunderstorms. The Delta remains lush and vibrant, with wildlife activity increasing as animals finish raising their young and begin congregating around permanent water sources.
Rising water levels make boat safaris a highlight, offering intimate access to the Delta’s waterways. Birdwatching is excellent, with both resident and migratory species thriving. With fewer visitors, March offers a quieter, more personal safari experience.
- Rains taper off but temperatures remain warm
- Occasional small thunderstorms in Delta
- Wildlife begins congregating around water sources
- Ideal conditions for boat safaris
- Few tourists and attractive rates at camps
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in March
Okavango Delta Safari Reserves in April
April brings clearer skies to the Okavango Delta, with the landscape remaining green and lush. Night temperatures begin to drop, especially in the southern Delta. The annual floods from Angola start to flow through the northern Delta, filling channels and lagoons, creating ideal conditions for water-based activities like boat safaris.
Wildlife viewing improves as vegetation thins and predator activity increases with cooler evenings. Moremi Game Reserve and the private concessions offer rewarding game drives, and walking safaris on the larger islands, such as Chief’s Island, become popular during this time. Birdwatching remains excellent, with many migratory species still present. April’s combination of pleasant weather, wildlife activity, and relatively low rates makes it a rewarding time to visit.
- Cooler evenings and occasional light showers
- Floodwaters begin to fill Delta channels
- Predator-prey interactions increase
- Ideal for walking safaris and boat trips
- Popular shoulder season, rates fairly low
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in April
Okavango Delta Safari Reserves in May
May is a popular time to visit the Okavango Delta, marking the last month of the shoulder season. The annual floods continue to spread through the Delta, transforming the landscape. Cooler mornings and evenings encourage predator activity, while thinning vegetation makes wildlife spotting easier, though some tall grasses may still obstruct views.
May offers excellent photographic opportunities with clear, crisp air. It's a favourite time for many visitors, combining good wildlife sightings with pleasant weather. Camp bookings throughout the Delta fill up quickly during this period.
This is a perfect month for scenic flights, offering breathtaking views of the advancing floodwaters. Mokoro trips through the Delta’s tranquil waterways provide a unique perspective on the environment. Camps start to fill quickly as the Delta’s combination of pleasant weather and excellent wildlife sightings makes it a favourite among safari-goers.
- Cool mornings and evenings with little rain
- Improved game viewing as Delta grasses thin
- Predator activity increasing in drier areas
- Scenic flights and water activities highly recommended
- Last month of shoulder season for camps
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in May
Okavango Delta Safari Reserves in June
June signals the start of the dry season in the Okavango Delta. Days are warm, with clear skies, while mornings and evenings can be cold, occasionally reaching freezing temperatures. The annual floods reach their peak, creating spectacular conditions for water-based activities like boat safaris along the Khwai River and in private concessions.
Wildlife concentrates around permanent water sources as surface water dries up, improving game viewing. The thinning vegetation and crisp, clear air make June perfect for photography. High demand for camp bookings reflects its popularity, as this month combines great game viewing and pleasant weather.
- Warm days, cold mornings and nights
- Peak floodwaters make boat safaris unforgettable
- Wildlife congregates around permanent water sources
- Excellent conditions for photography
- High demand for camps and lodges
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in June
Okavango Delta Safari Reserves in July
July offers cool mornings and evenings with warm, sunny days, making it ideal for wildlife viewing. The floodwaters remain at their peak, providing excellent opportunities for boat safaris. Vegetation continues to thin, enhancing visibility on game drives in Moremi Game Reserve and the Okavango’s private reserves.
Large herds of elephants and buffalo are common sights as they gather near water sources. Predator sightings, including lions and leopards, increase as prey concentrates. Birdwatching is rewarding, and the crisp winter air creates stunning photographic conditions. July is one of the most popular months to visit, with many lodges fully booked well in advance.
- Comfortable days, cold mornings and nights
- Excellent game viewing and predator activity
- Moremi and Khwai areas become busy
- Private concessions offer exclusivity
- High season rates; advance bookings essential
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in July
Okavango Delta Safari Reserves in August
August remains a highly sought-after month for visiting the Okavango Delta. Nights are cool, while daytime temperatures rise gradually. Wildlife viewing is exceptional as animals concentrate near water sources, while the Delta’s floods are typically at their peak, offering picturesque settings for excellent boat safaris.
Walking safaris and game drives in areas like Moremi Game Reserve and Chief’s Island are particularly rewarding. Large herds of elephants and buffalo are common sights, and predator activity is high, with increased chances of seeing lions, leopards, and wild dogs hunting. The clear skies and lack of humidity create excellent stargazing conditions. With many travellers visiting during European and North American holidays, lodge availability can be challenging.
- Dry, warm days and cool nights in the Delta
- Fantastic wildlife viewing near water sources
- Excellent opportunities for game drives and boat safaris
- Cloudless skies, spectacular stargazing
- High demand for accommodation – book early
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in August
Okavango Delta Safari Reserves in September
September is a favourite for many safari-goers in the Okavango Delta. Daytime temperatures rise, but nights remain cool. The landscape transforms as greenery fades, and hazy conditions create dramatic sunsets. Wildlife viewing peaks as animals cluster around permanent water sources, with especially large numbers of elephants and buffalo. This concentration of prey attracts predators, increasing chances of witnessing exciting hunts.
The return of migratory birds enhances birdwatching. Water levels begin to recede, but boat cruises are still possible. Dusty conditions may challenge photographers, but the stunning landscapes and wildlife action more than make up for it.
- Warm days, cool nights in the Delta
- Prime month for Okavango wildlife viewing
- Migratory birds return, enriching birdwatching
- Spectacular sunsets and dramatic scenery
- High season rates, many Delta camps full
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in September
Okavango Delta Safari Reserves in October
October is the hottest and driest month in the Okavango Delta. Wildlife concentrates around the last remaining water sources, creating some of the most dramatic game viewing opportunities of the year. Predator-prey interactions are frequent and visibility is excellent, making for thrilling safaris.
Walking safaris are particularly rewarding, especially on smaller islands, but early starts are essential to avoid the midday heat. Towards the end of the month, the first rains may bring relief and begin rejuvenating the parched landscape. Despite the heat, October offers excellent big-game viewing and dramatic photographic moments of animal interactions.
- Hot days, with late-month chances of rain
- Outstanding big-game viewing near water sources
- Water activities limited as floods recede
- Walking safaris provide unique experiences
- Final month of the peak safari season
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in October
Okavango Delta Safari Reserves in November
November marks the start of the green season in the Delta. Rising humidity and temperatures often lead to the first heavy rains; these are typically short, heavy showers in the late afternoon or night, creating spectacular scenes and bringing a flush of green to the parched landscape. Wildlife begins to disperse as waterholes refill, but game drives still offer rewarding sightings.
Water levels may be low, limiting boat activities, but November is exceptional for birdwatching, with the arrival of many migratory species. Scenic flights highlight the contrast between dry and wet areas. The first two weeks are popular for travellers seeking good game viewing at lower rates as the Delta transitions into its shoulder season.
- Hot, humid days in the Delta
- Dramatic rain showers , increasing as month progresses
- Migratory birds arrive in abundance
- Wildlife watching good, but less predictable
- Shoulder season offers mid-range rates
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in November
Okavango Delta Safari Reserves in December
December sees the rainy season in full swing across the Okavango Delta, bringing some respite from high temperatures. Game viewing becomes more challenging as wildlife disperses, but great sightings can still be had. The landscape transforms dramatically, with lush vegetation sprouting across the Delta. This period is excellent for birdwatching, with numerous migratory species present.
Water levels begin to rise, gradually improving conditions for boat safaris. The green season offers unique photographic opportunities, with dramatic skies and newborn animals. December is ideal for visitors seeking a more intimate Delta experience, with fewer tourists and lower rates at many camps and lodges. The combination of wildlife, birdlife, and scenic beauty makes it a rewarding time to visit.
- Warm temperatures
- High chance of rain in short, heavy storms
- Wildlife more dispersed across Delta
- Game viewing more challenging in wetlands
- Low-season rates and fewer visitors in most Delta camps
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in December
Looking for inspiration on where to travel next?
Visit our trip chooser to explore your options and find inspiration for your perfect African adventure
Inspire me