Guide to the Okavango's flood position

There are a network of permanent rivers winding through the Okavango delta throughout the year but the overall water level of the region depends on the flood waters that descend into the country from the Angolan highlands and the rainfall that desceneds in Botswana itself.

The flood surges down from the North of the country in two main thrusts, spreading out over the land in different directions every year; In January the start of the main flood begins, spreading down the top of the panhandle and into the main part of the Delta itself at around April each year. It is from this point on that high flood reaches the lodges and water activities become the primary activity in most camps; high flood reaches the bottom of the Delta near Maun in June.

The highest point of the flood throughout the majority of the lodges varies but over the last five years has consistently been at around May each year. The water level then stays high for a couple of months and then gradually recedes recedes, drying out the floodplains as the water evaporates; most of the Delta dries by around late October and November each year. At this point, water based activities are still available in some camps but primarily at those located by the main channels.