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The Okavango Delta (and Moremi)
The Okavango Delta in Botswana is a vast freshwater wetland ecosystem fed by the Okavango River system, which spans three countries: Angola (catchment region), Namibia (mature river) and Botswana (delta). The Okavango River and delta cover a region of almost 200 000km²(124 000mi²) in extent, and approximately 9.5km³ (6mi³) of water flows from the Okavango River into the delta every year.
The Okavango Delta extends 2 000km (1 240mi) north to south and 1 000km (620mi) east to west, where it meets with the sands of the Kalahari Desert. The sand of the Kalahari contains very little clay or minerals, and nutrients are filtered out by plants along the river banks, which leaves the river water pure and crystal clear.
The annual flooding of the Okavango River is an important ecological event, which is closely linked to the successful breeding of fish species in the delta. From north to south, the delta slopes very slightly along its length. The water from rain that falls in summer in the catchment area takes five or six months to reach the far end of the swamps.
When old channel systems dry out and peat catches fire, nutrients and clays are released and form fertile soils which produce grass on which large herbivores can graze. For a fuller explanation of the role plants play in this system, see the work of the Okavango Research Group at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Okavango plays host to numerous hippo. Amphibious by nature, these large animals hide in deep swamps during the day and feed on the islands under cover of darkness. Watch a hippo family wallowing on a large weed mat, while African jacanas use the floating vegetation as a base from which to forage, in Kariba weed protects hippos from the hot sun. Hippo play a vital role in the Okavango Delta by keeping trails open through dense vegetation, which enables water to permeate to all parts of the delta.
The great abundance of antelope in the delta region attracts predators like lions, jackals, spotted hyenas, cheetah, leopards and wild dogs. Stories like Buffalo return to lion territory build up a fascinating picture of the life of a pride.
Then there are all the reptiles and fish to be seen: crocodiles, tortoises, turtles, terrapins, snakes, barbel, topminnows and more. For some underwater action, watch Abundant fish in clear delta waters.
Moremi Game Reserve is located west of the Okavango Delta and was named after Chief Moremi of the BaTawana people.
It is widely recognised as one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in Africa, with a diversity of both flora and fauna. Vegetation ranges from mopane woodland and acacia forests to floodplains and lagoons. Elephant herds will even resort to standing in a boggy swamp to feed on fresh nutritious reeds. See them doing this in Elephants move to the floodplains to find food.
About 550 bird species have been identified, including ostrich, stork, hamerkop, flamingo, pygmy goose, knob-billed duck, black korhaan, white-rumped babbler, yellow-billed oxpecker and shaft-tailed whydah. When the floodplains of Moremi are filled by annual floodwaters, they are transformed into a lush paradise for birdlife. See some of these birds in Egret forages and kingfishers dig a burrow.
Seven things you might not know about the Okavango delta
Many of the large islands in the Okavango Delta were originally formed by termite mounds. Read more about this phenomenon in Moremi island biomes.
a variety of waterbirds use different methods to catch fish in one of many dwindling water sources, visit Birds feast on fish in shrinking pools.
Even though annual evaporation is more than three times the rainfall, the water does not become saline. That’s because of the way the delta’s vegetation regulates the dispersal of water and sediment and influences the accumulation of salts.
An estimated 200 000 large mammals live in the delta environs, providing a draw card for tourists, especially in the drier months when animals congregate near dwindling water source.
The most common large mammal found in the delta is the red lechwe, an antelope which feeds on grass and lives close to water. If pursued by predators, lechwe always move towards the water, where they escape by running and jumping through it with ease. See Egrets and lechwe pattern the floodplain.
Ideally one should visit Moremi during the dry months between July and October, when seasonal pans are dry and wildlife gathers near permanent water sources. When the Okavango Delta’s pans dry up, there is minimal vegetation for animals to eat. See how elephants satisfy their huge appetites in Elephants dig for roots and bulbs.
Winter months – May to August – are cold at night, but warm and clear during the day. Extremely hot days and nights are experienced between October and December.
Change of season in the Okavango Delta brings a bounty of berries, which are enjoyed by a variety of animals. Watch two bull elephants enjoying berries and bark in Elephants savour tree bark.
In a clip that shows the diversity of life in the Okavango, Hippos, red lechwe and leopard in Botswana, watch hippos show their strength, leopards begin a hunt and lechwe bound through the reeds.
