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Seasonal channels spread across dry grasslands in an aerial view of the Okavango Delta
Photo information

Okavango at High Water

Photo
Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Original
View source
Attribution
Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons; cropped and resized by Trailwind. Derivatives remain under CC BY-SA 4.0.
All 32 Journeys
Nature Journey

Okavango at High Water

6 nights from Maun into the Okavango Delta during the June–July high water.

Fly into
Maun · MUB
Shortest trip
6 nights
Ideal stay
8-10 nights
Best time
Every year, June–July
Destination in brief

Why go

The Okavango is a vast inland delta where seasonal floodwater meets permanent swamp, floodplain and dry grassland. From Maun, a light aircraft flies you out over it all. You'll spend 4 nights at one remote camp, with time for patient guided trips and to learn about the water, conservation and local communities.

Where
Ngamiland, Botswana
Language
English · Setswana
Currency
BWP
Time zone
Central Africa Time
Best time
Every year, June–July
Typical conditions
June and July are dry-season months, with cool mornings and warm days. Water levels, channels, fires and activities vary a lot by area.

Plan for 8-10 nights. That allows buffers in Maun at both ends and several relaxed days at camp, in case weather or water levels change plans.

Termite mounds rise from grass and woodland in the Okavango Delta
Photo information

Termite mounds rise through woodland in the Okavango Delta.

Photo
Cosal / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Original
View source
Captured
2019-03-08 10:59:48
Location
Termite mounds in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, March 2019
Attribution
Cosal / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons; cropped and resized by Trailwind. Derivatives remain under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Changes
Cropped to 1,83,2457x1638 and resized by Trailwind.
Context
Historical permanent landscape context; not a local water-level, wildlife, access, activity or 2027 condition claim.
The place

Termite mounds rise through woodland in the Okavango Delta.

Route overview

The route

Follow the stops in order.

Okavango at High Water route. 1, Maun International Airport. 2, Maun arrival and exit base. 3, Vumbura Airstrip. 4, Little Vumbura.

For orientation only. Use a map app for directions.

  1. 01
    Maun International Airport
  2. 02
    Maun arrival and exit base
  3. 03
    Vumbura Airstrip
  4. 04
    Little Vumbura
What you'll do

Highlights

  1. 01

    Maun arrival and exit base

    Delta gateway · Half day · From Maun base · Easy/urban · Check opening hours

    Why it fits
    Maun introduces the delta's geography, communities and remote logistics before the Journey moves into the wetland landscape.
    Useful time
    Keep a relaxed half day for arrival, delta orientation and the next day's remote-flight briefing.
    From base
    Use the pre-booked airport transfer and remain within the confirmed Maun base plan.
    Effort and access
    This is the lowest-effort part of the Journey; confirm venue access and heat-aware movement.
    Seasonal note
    Opening, transport and the following flight handoff require a current check.
  2. 02

    Vumbura Airstrip

    Wetland from above · Transfer day · Light aircraft · Boarding · Weather-led

    Why it fits
    The light-aircraft arrival reveals the relationship between permanent channels, seasonal floodplain and dry islands at landscape scale.
    Useful time
    Protect most of the transfer day for check-in, the light-aircraft journey and the complete camp handoff.
    From base
    Return to MUB, fly with the confirmed operator, then follow the camp's arranged transfer after the airstrip.
    Effort and access
    Small-aircraft baggage, boarding, mobility and medical limits must match the traveler.
    Seasonal note
    Weather, aircraft, airstrip and operating conditions can delay or cancel the transfer.
  3. 03

    Vumbura Airstrip

    Delta ecology · 3 days · Camp guides · Choose activities · Water/weather vary

    Why it fits
    Three unhurried guided days create space to understand the delta through land, water and conservation interpretation as conditions allow.
    Useful time
    Keep three full days for operator-led landscape, conservation and wildlife interpretation at a patient pace.
    From base
    All movement begins and ends with the selected camp; no independent route is implied.
    Effort and access
    Each walk, drive, boat or mokoro outing needs its own guide, equipment and traveler-fit approval.
    Seasonal note
    Water, channel access, weather, fire and wildlife vary; land-based interpretation remains the fallback.
Along the way

A closer look

The entrance to Maun Airport in Botswana
Photo information

Maun Airport marks the Journey's fixed gateway to the delta.

Photo
Pavel Špindler / CC BY 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Licence
CC BY 3.0
Original
View source
Captured
Taken on 26 September 2014
Location
Letiště Maun (Airport) - Botswana
Attribution
Pavel Špindler / CC BY 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons; cropped and resized by Trailwind.
Changes
Cropped to 16,0,4896x3264 and resized by Trailwind.
Context
Historical gateway identity only; no current terminal layout, airline, flight, transfer, opening or 2027 operation is promised.
Along the way

Maun Airport marks the Journey's fixed gateway to the delta.

Timing

When to go

Best time
Every year, June–July
Why then
Okavango flood season
Time zone
Central Africa Time
Your itinerary

Stop by stop

The stops in order. Set your own pace day to day.

  1. 01

    Maun International Airport

  2. 02

    Maun arrival and exit base

  3. 03

    Vumbura Airstrip

  4. 04

    Little Vumbura

Practical planning

Before you book

Book first
  • One booking for flights, Maun lodging, camp, bush flights, transfers, activities, insurance and evacuation cover
  • A Wilderness Air flight to Vumbura Airstrip (check baggage limits)
  • Little Vumbura camp, with its current activities and accessibility
Know before you go
  • Follow your guide, pilot, poler and camp staff. Never drive, swim or walk off alone in the delta.
  • Any flight, drive, boat or mokoro trip can change with the weather or water levels
  • See a travel doctor about malaria, and carry insurance that covers remote areas
Keep in mind
  • June–July is the usual high-water season. We can't forecast the 2027 flood.
Sources and methodology
  1. UNESCO World Heritage Centre
  2. Botswana Tourism Organisation
  3. Government of Botswana
  4. Botswana Tourism Organisation
  5. Wilderness
  6. Wilderness
  7. Wilderness Air
  8. Wilderness
  9. Botswana Tourism Organisation
  10. Government of Botswana
  11. Botswana Tourism Organisation
  12. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
  13. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention