About Sandibe Safari Lodge
Adjacent to Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve, the luxurious and uniquely designed Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge ...
... sits among towering stands of palm trees, thick riverine vegetation and several huge old baobabs. It's a lovely mix of forested areas interspersed with floodplains and permanent deep-water channels.
Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge is a uniquely designed lodge, where in our experience the guiding and service match the high standards of the lodge itself. This, coupled with an impressive track record for game viewing in the private concession around the lodge, makes Sandibe well worth considering for those in search of serious comfort and luxury in the Delta.
Our view
Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge is a uniquely designed lodge, where in our experience the guiding and service match the high standards of the lodge itself. This, coupled with an impressive track record for game viewing in the private concession around the lodge, makes Sandibe well worth considering for those in search of serious comfort and luxury in the Delta.
Botswana expert
Accommodation
12 suites (two are connected for a family suite)
Children
Best for aged 12+
Open
All year
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Night drive
Private activities
Traveller reviews of Sandibe Safari Lodge
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 49 pictures and 1 videos of Sandibe Safari Lodge to get the candid view.
View gallerySafaris visiting Sandibe Safari Lodge
Just ideas, we'll always tailor-make a trip for you
Kudu Safari
7 days • 2 locations • 1 country
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
A luxury Botswana safari exploring the Okavango Delta staying at Nxebega Camp and the stunning Sandibe Lodge, with excellent guiding and some of the most prolific wildlife viewing anywhere in Africa.
Visiting Okavango Delta
US$8,760 - US$20,120 per person
Sandibe Safari Lodge: Our full report
Adjacent to Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve, the luxurious and uniquely designed Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge ...
... sits among towering stands of palm trees, thick riverine vegetation and several huge old baobabs. It's a lovely mix of forested areas interspersed with floodplains and permanent deep-water channels.
Sandibe Safari Lodge was completely rebuilt in 2014, and its rather imposing structure is significantly different from the original: much more luxurious, yet much more environmentally efficient. The owners consider it their flagship camp in Botswana – and we tend to agree. That’s boosted by a friendly and helpful team, who have always made sure that we are very well looked after.
The striking main area is an elongated multi-level structure, open-fronted, and covered by a large curved roof that blends well into the environment. Designed to mimic the scales of a pangolin, the roof is made up of thousands of cedarwood tiles, carefully fitted together like a mammalian suit of armour.
Inside it feels a bit like the inverted hull of a wooden ship, with light wooden tones dominating both the buildings and the décor. At the top, up a series of stairs, comfortable seating marks out the bar and lounge area, with a fireplace for those chilly winter evenings. Open decking extends out into the reed bed and to a raised outdoor viewing area where tables and chairs overlook the floodplains, ideal for private dining or drinks. Keep a look out for elephants wandering past and the bushbuck that like to shelter under the relative safety of the raised platforms.
Closer to ground level is Sandibe's main dining area, a large open space with another smaller lounge and more comfy seating. An interactive kitchen complete with a pizza oven stands behind the long wooden buffet bar, where a large chalkboard displays the daily menu. As on the upper storey, the deck extends out beyond the roof, allowing for dining under the stars, but in cool or wet weather the tables can be brought under cover. As at all &Beyond lodges in Botswana, guests usually dine at individual tables, although there are plenty of locations to socialise with others – and traditional outdoor dinners, held in a sandy boma area at ground level, are usually communal events.
Back in the main building, a few more steps take you down, past his and hers toilets, to a separate lounge area, entered through large glass, folding doors. Here you'll find a small library, some board games and even a large-screen TV (which may be connected on request for events such as football matches, current events, etc). There's also an impressive curio shop where locally made baskets, beaded and silver jewellery and nature books stand alongside branded safari clothes.
Sandy paths lead to a separate building which houses a massage room with a single treatment table, and a small gym, complete with a rowing machine, treadmill, bicycle and bench with weights, as well as an area for yoga, Pilates and stretching.
Sandibe’s 12 suites – two of which connect to form a family suite – are all elevated to maximise the views over the permanent Santantadibe Channel and tall reed beds. From their spacious rooms, large wooden and mesh sliding doors can be opened up completely onto a private multi-level deck, where you'll find a rim-flow plunge pool, a sala area, an outdoor shower and a daybed. For colder nights, enormous metal shutters can be unfolded to enclose the front of the bedroom.
Inside, the suites are decorated in light wooden tones, and are very well thought-out. The open-plan lounge area has air conditioning and a free-standing fireplace complete with armchairs for chilly winter evenings. A polished tree stump forms an interesting coffee table and a well-stocked minibar is almost hidden in the wooden cladding. We liked the discreet hatch, where staff outside can put your tray of morning tea/coffee ready for you to grab from the comfort of your enormous king-size or twin beds. Enclosed within a box mosquito net, the beds face towards the deck, with far-reaching views beyond
Tucked away behind the bed you’ll find a spacious walk-in wardrobe – which feels a bit like a Swedish sauna, but helpfully houses dressing gowns, slippers, insect repellent and spray, a safe umbrellas and a hairdryer.
In the en-suite bathroom, twin copper basins are set beneath two large oval mirrors. While the cylindrical open shower doesn’t offer much privacy, the separate toilet is behind a solid wooden door.
In our experience, the wildlife in the area around Sandibe has generally been very good, with red lechwe, impala, tsessebe, kudu, zebra, wildebeest and plenty of giraffe. Buffalo and elephant are permanent residents. Lion and leopard are the dominant predators, but cheetah, wild dog and hyena are not uncommon. The birdlife here is often good too – although you won't see the full range of water birds found elsewhere in the Delta. Birding here, as in much of the rest of the Delta, is at its best in the green season, between December and March.
Activities from Sandibe are land-based, and include both morning and afternoon 4WD game drives, and guided walks. Guides are accompanied by trackers, who sit on the front of the vehicle and can improve the chance of spotting more elusive animals.
The game viewing at Sandibe was superb on our most recent visit in September 2017. A highlight was watching a mother and her very small cub break from the safety of their cover and come to the waterhole to drink. The reflection of the two cats in the flat pool made for some great photographs. We also saw a group of lionesses lazing in the shade of a tree just a stone’s throw from where a young male leopard had cached a fresh kill in another tree.
The birdwatching at Sandibe can also be excellent with sightings that included grey-headed kingfisher, Dickinson's kestrel, white-backed vulture, grey go-away-bird, loads of spur-winged geese, African grey hornbill, brown snake eagle, double-banded sandgrouse and lilac-breasted roller.
Geographics
- Location
- Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana
- Ideal length of stay
- We’d recommend three nights at Sandibe Safari Lodge.
- Directions
- Sandibe is about 20 minutes by air from Maun. Guests fly into Chitabe airstrip, from where the game-drive transfer to Sandibe takes approximately three-quarters of an hour (or one hour in the green season)
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Full Board & Activities
- Food quality
- The food at Sandibe has always been excellent – well presented, varied and really tasty. On our most recent visits, those standards have been maintained.
Tea and coffee are brought to the hatch in your room before a breakfast of toast, freshly cooked muffins, meats, cheeses, fresh and stewed fruit, cereal, oatmeal and fresh pastries, along with tea and coffee. You can also order eggs and porridge at the 'omelette station'.
For brunch, served on our return from the morning activity, we were invited to 'build your own burger' in the interactive kitchen. From a choice of, beef, chicken, or kudu burger with various toppings, we enjoyed the beef with cheddar cheese, grilled mushrooms and onions, and sliced tomato.
Afternoon tea, served just before our second activity, was impressive. Decadent freshly cooked doughnuts with chocolate sauce, a light cream and jam sponge, fruit kebabs and savoury options of a Spanish omelette and cheese with flatbread and crackers was substantial fare, which we washed down with a delicious glass of iced coffee.
Dinner at Sandibe is usually a plated, three-course meal with a choice of two main courses. However on our most recent visit we enjoyed a more traditional dinner. The menu, which was announced by the chef, who seemed passionate about his food, started with garam masala chicken-liver parfait with melba toast and fig-and-cranberry sauce. We were then invited to choose items from the grill, including fillet of beef or pork belly, along with roasted vegetables, potatoes and chakalaka – a spicy vegetable relish. For pudding we enjoyed chocolate fondant and vanilla ice cream. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Private dining can be set up on the deck and in your suite.
- Drinks included
- Bottled water, soft drinks, local beers and spirits and a limited selection of (usually) South African red and white wines are included. Champagne and imported 'premium' wines and spirits cost extra and may need to be requested in advance.
Each suite is provided with glasses and a flask of filtered drinking water.
Special interests
- Walking safaris
- Sandibe focuses primarily on day and night game drives, but they also offer guided walking safaris, with specialist walking guides based in camp. You'll learn about the Delta's ecosystem, plant life, the 'small five' and how to read the tracks and signs left by animals.
- See ideas for Walking safaris in Botswana
- Wildlife safaris
- Sandibe is situated in an excellent area for consistent big-game viewing. A variety of predators are regularly seen, alongside a good number of plains game. This is definitely a camp to consider for those wanting good year-round game viewing.
- See ideas for Wildlife safaris in Botswana
- Luxury
- Each of the stylish and modern rooms at Sandibe Safari Lodge come with air-conditioning, private decks with a plunge pool and a large seating-area making it an extremely comfortable option in a prime game viewing area.
- See ideas for Luxury in Botswana
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children are welcome at Sandibe but there are restrictions on participation in individual activities.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There are no age restrictions, but children under the age of five may not participate in any activities. Children aged 6–11 years may participate in game drives only at the lodge manager's discretion. Children of 12 years or above may join in with game drives, but not guided walks.
- Special activities & services
- Sandibe has a 'WILDChild Programme', which involves a number of fun and educational activities around the camp. Activities are carefully selected according to the interests and ages of the children, and range from tracking and fishing, to making traditional bows and arrows, craftwork, painting and cooking. Children will also receive a WILDChild backpack on arrival filled with a scrapbook and various surprise goodies.
- Equipment
- Childminding is available at extra cost (currently US$5 an hour) but must be booked on the day of arrival. It should be noted that the staff here are not professionally trained childminders.
- Generally recommended for children
- Although Sandibe accepts children of all ages, we feel that it's most suitable for those of 12 years and over.
- Notes
- Sandibe is very open with dangerous wildlife in the area; the camp suites are elevated off the ground and the plunge pools are unfenced. There is also open water surrounding the camp. An adult must supervise children at all times.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Sandibe Safari Lodge
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Sandibe Safari Lodge 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
100% success
100% success
100% success
91% success
83% success
82% success
58% success
45% success
11% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- Generators are run at night, but we did not hear them during our recent trip. Guests can charge batteries in their suites at all times.
- Communications
- There is no cellphone reception and no direct phone or fax. WiFi is available in the main guest area and the suites. In an emergency, there are two fixed phone lines in the main office that can be used to dial out.
Each suite has a telephone with a direct line to the camp's reception area, as well as an air horn to attract attention in case of emergency. - TV & radio
- The lodge has a television in a separate library
- Water supply
- Other
- Water supply notes
- All the suites have plumbed hot and cold running water for showers, and flushing toilets. Note that the hot water is shut off between midnight and 4.00am.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The camp managers, guides and trackers are first-aid trained and a comprehensive first-aid kit is kept at camp. In an emergency, Sandibe can arrange for guests to be flown out.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- Because of the Okavango's large population of dangerous game, and the fact that Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge is unfenced, guests are escorted to their suites after dark. Air horns are provided in the suites to attract attention in case of emergency.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers on the balconies of all suites. A fire drill map can be found behind each bedroom door.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Helicopter
Night drive
Private activities
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- A full laundry service is included.
- Money
- No exchange facilities are offered. There are safe deposit boxes in the suites. The camp does not keep a large amount of cash.
- Accepted payment on location
- Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted. Diners and Amex are not, and nor are debit cards. Cash payments may be made in British pounds, US dollars, euros and Botswana pula.
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Sandibe Safari Lodge's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Sandibe Safari Lodge.
Excursions from Sandibe Safari Lodge
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Sandibe Safari Lodge. 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.
Kanana
In a beautiful part of the Delta, Kanana focuses on fantastic water activities and birding – including exclusive access to an impressive heronry.
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.
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.
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.
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 Sandibe Safari Lodge 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
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