How the Floods in the Okavango Delta work
06/08/13 19:03 Filed in: Photographic Safari
The Okavango Delta in Botswana is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. It is an inland delta, formed by the Okavango River in the Kalahari. Every year approximately 11 cubic kilometers of water are spreading over the 6,000-15,000 square kilometers of the Delta. The water is coming from the highlands in Angola. The floods arrive by the end of March/beginning of April and reach their peak between June and August. Most of the water is consumed through transpiration by plants and evaporation. Towards November the Okavango Delta goes back to its permanent shape, while during the flood it inundates the so-called flood plains.
For the Okavango safari planning one should keep in mind the rhythm of the floods, because they influence the activities on game drives. During the floods some areas are not accessible by car and on the other hand during the dry season in some areas are no water activities possible.
The Okavango Delta is fantastic for birding and also all other game viewing, yet especially wildlife photography courses will often focus on birds and use special boats to get close and photograph them.
Team building incentives often use the water activities to create a special experience and include for example fishing. Yet the water activities are something special for every safari, exploring the delta in the traditional Mokoro (canoe) or on a motorboat is just magical. One gets very close to the animals and the colors are a photographers dream.
Just ask yourself what you would like to experience and then inform about the best time and the best place in the delta to make sure you get what you are looking for.
Happy magical travelling and snapping away!
Ute Sonnenberg for www.rohoyachui.com