The Okavango Delta is unlike anywhere else on the safari map. Here is what a Delta safari really costs, what to expect, and how to combine it with a Kenya safari.
A safari on water, not just land
The Okavango Delta is a rare inland river delta, water flowing in from Angola's highlands spreads into the Kalahari and never reaches the sea. The result is a maze of channels, lagoons and islands that turns 'safari' into something closer to 'expedition': mokoro canoe rides through papyrus channels alongside the usual game drives.
What it actually costs
Botswana runs a deliberately low-volume, high-value tourism model, camps are small, exclusive, and priced accordingly. Expect $700–$1,200 per person per night at Delta camps, considerably more than equivalent Kenya or Tanzania lodges. It is not a budget destination, and operators there don't pretend otherwise.
Our consultants build itineraries like this one every week. Tell us your dates and we'll reply with a tailored plan, usually within a few hours.
Best combined with, not instead of, East Africa
Most of our guests treat Botswana as an add-on to a longer Africa trip rather than a standalone destination, three or four Delta nights bookending a Kenya or Tanzania safari, connected via Johannesburg or Nairobi. The contrast between the dry savannah of the Mara and the flooded channels of the Delta makes for one of the most varied safari experiences available anywhere on the continent.
When to go
The Delta floods seasonally, water arriving from Angola typically peaks between June and August, which is also the dry season on the ground, making this the prime viewing window when wildlife concentrates along the remaining water channels.
