By Faridat Salifu
For travellers looking for a destination where wildlife, water and wilderness come together, Botswana’s Okavango Delta offers one of Africa’s most distinctive eco-tourism experiences, says Botswana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Philda N. Kereng.
Kereng described the delta, located in north-western Botswana, as a vast seasonal wetland formed where the Okavango River spreads across the Kalahari rather than flowing into the sea.
“Its floodwaters create a network of channels, lagoons, islands and grasslands that support a rich variety of wildlife and bird species,” she said.
According to her, the Okavango Delta was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 because of its ecological importance. She noted that its seasonal flooding creates a striking contrast with the surrounding dry landscape, making the timing of a visit an important part of the experience.
The High Commissioner said visitors can explore the waterways in traditional mokoro canoes, usually guided by local polers, offering a quieter way to observe the delta’s wildlife and vegetation, while boat trips, guided walking excursions, game drives and birdwatching are also popular activities.
Ambassador Kereng who is former Minister of Environment said the delta supports elephants, hippos, crocodiles, lions, leopards, wild dogs and a variety of antelope, while its wetlands provide habitat for numerous waterbirds and other bird species.
For eco-conscious travellers, Kereng said the destination provides an opportunity to see how tourism can support the conservation of fragile wetland ecosystems, adding that many camps and lodges operate around protected areas of the delta while community-based tourism contributes to local livelihoods.
“The dry season between June and October is generally considered one of the best periods for wildlife viewing, as seasonal floodwaters attract animals to the delta. The landscape and wildlife experience, however, change throughout the year,” she said.
She added that travellers can reach the Okavango region through Maun, Botswana’s main tourism gateway to the delta, before continuing by light aircraft, road transfer or other arrangements depending on the camp or lodge.
“The Okavango Delta offers more than a conventional safari. It is a journey through one of the world’s remarkable inland wetland systems, where conservation, wildlife and community-based tourism intersect,” Kereng said.
