Exceptional Season for Mokoro Safaris in the Okavango Delta

2025 has proven to be an extraordinary year for mokoro safaris in the Okavango Delta of Botswana. The significant flood season that began earlier this year has maintained unusually high water levels, creating ideal conditions for water-based activities well into October.

Current Delta Conditions (October 2025)

• Water levels remain higher than typical for this time of year
• Most channels are still navigable
• Water-based activities continue in many areas
• Camps are adjusting activities based on local conditions

Current Weather & Water Conditions

• Clear, sunny days, typical of the dry season
• Cool mornings and evenings
• Little to no rainfall
• Higher than usual water levels from the exceptional flood season

What Caused the Exceptional Delta Season?

The exceptional flood season in the Okavango Delta this year was influenced by:

• Strong La Niña conditions early in the year
• Above-average rainfall in Angola's highlands
• Early arrival of floodwaters (April 2025)
• Sustained high water levels throughout the season

Looking Ahead to 2026 in Botswana

The Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF) predicts the next rainy season (October 2025 to March 2026) may bring below-average rainfall due to developing El Niño conditions. However, the current high water levels from this year's exceptional floods are expected to maintain good conditions for water-based activities through the remainder of 2025.

The Top Natural Wonder in Botswana

The Okavango Delta is a truly unique geological water feature — it is one of the only deltas in the world that empties onto a desert floor, not into the ocean. Life-giving water, pouring into an arid landscape, has created a fascinating ecosystem. Water levels have shaped the landscape, provided an oasis for Botswana's wildlife, and played a vital role in sustaining local communities.

The source of the Delta's waters lies in the highlands of Angola, one of Botswana's neighbors. Here, seasonal rains feed the Cubango River. As it flows southward into Namibia's Caprivi Strip, the river is called the Kavango River. It then spills into Botswana, where it fans out into the magnificent Okavango Delta.

The Magic of the Delta Floods

One of the most magical times in the Okavango Delta is the arrival of the floodwaters. Unlike a sudden deluge, the water moves in gentle waves, gradually filling channels and transforming dry plains into a shimmering aquatic paradise. This transformation brings an explosion of life— African fish eagles with their distinctive call, saddlebill storks wading the shallows in search of fish, and red lechwe antelopes reveling in their flooded territories.

Why Choose a Mokoro Safari?

Mokoro safaris are one of the most sought-after experiences in the Okavango Delta. These traditional canoe-like craft offer a peaceful and eco-friendly way to explore the Delta. Mokoros glide silently through the water, allowing you to get much closer to wildlife without startling them. With the low vantage point, visitors get an intimate perspective of the delta's lush vegetation and diverse wildlife.

Okavango Delta Safari Seasons

Understanding the water cycles of the Okavango Delta is crucial for planning a visit. The annual flood arrives after the rainy season, creating unique conditions throughout the year.

Two Primary Safari Seasons:

Dry Season (around May to November)

• Ideal for first-time visitors
• Cooler temperatures with highs around 25°C
• Best time for mokoro safaris and boat trips when water levels are high
• Wildlife congregates near water sources

Wet Season (around December to April)

• Fewer tourists, offering a more exclusive experience
• Lush green landscapes with abundant birdlife
• Some camps offer more flexible child policies
• Rain showers are common but usually short-lived

Budgeting for The Delta

When budgeting for your Okavango safari, costs vary depending on:

• Time of year
• Type of accommodation
• Area you visit

See our guide to, What it costs to go on safari in the Okavango Delta.

Planning Your Delta Safari For Late 2025 and 2026

• October-December 2025: Good conditions continue in many areas
• Peak season 2026 (June-August): Book well in advance
• Consider shoulder seasons for better rates
• Monitor seasonal forecasts
• Plan flexible itineraries that can adapt to conditions

See our Top Tips for Your Okavango Delta Safari in Botswana. 

Where to Go on Your Delta Safari?

Looking for an affordable Botswana safari package? We recommend combining these three water-based wonders:

• Okavango Delta
• Chobe River and Chobe National Park
• Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River

These 4 Affordable Botswana Safaris to Chobe, Okavango Delta & Victoria Falls are well-priced trips under 10 days long, perfect for experiencing Botswana's wildlife and stunning landscapes during the remainder of 2025 and into 2026.

Available Safari Options for Late 2025 and 2026

Book these popular safari options for the remainder of 2025 or plan ahead for 2026:

• 11 Day Botswana Camping Safari - Delta, Chobe & Victoria Falls - Adventure to some of Africa's natural water wonders: pristine Okavango Delta, Chobe River and  Chobe National Park, beautiful Moremi Reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta, plus mighty Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe. Enjoy game drives, bush walks, traditional mokoro canoe trips in the delta and boat cruises on two of Africa's mighty rivers.
   
• 9 Day Northern Botswana Safari - Enjoy fully serviced premium camping in spacious walk-in tents with en-suite facilities, while combining game drives in Mababe Private Concession, Moremi Game Reserve, and the scenic Gomoti River with boat cruises, nature walks, and mokoro trips.
   
• 8 Day Botswana Safari: Okavango Delta & Kazuma Pans - A Fly-In Safari takes from Maun to the Okavango Delta and Kazuma Pans, combining mokoro excursions, walking safaris, and 4x4 game drives in Moremi Game Reserve with a stay at an eco-friendly lodge in the Kavango-Zambezi Conservation Area. Optional trips to Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls, or Hwange National Park.
   
• 8 Day Botswana Safari: Okavango Delta, Moremi & Chobe - Explore the waterways of the Okavango Delta by mokoro and on foot before flying by helicopter to a luxury tented camp near Moremi Game Reserve for thrilling game drives. After four nights in the delta, fly to the Chobe region for thrilling game drives through the vast Kavango-Zambezi Conservation Area, and a Chobe River safari cruise, before ending in Kasane near Victoria Falls. An add-on for Victoria Falls is available.
   
• 7 Day Chobe, Okavango Delta & Moremi Lodge Tour - The outstanding lodge accommodation enjoyed on this fly-in safari combines with thrilling wildlife experiences, including game drives, walking safaris, mokoro trips, and boat cruises in Chobe, Moremi, and the Okavango Delta. Travelling affordably by air between these iconic wilderness areas, you end your journey in Maun.
   
• 7 Day Budget Okavango Delta & Savuti Safari in Botswana - Go deep into the wild, starting with a flight into the Okavango Delta to explore its secluded islands on guided nature walks and mokoro boat excursions. Then fly to Chobe National Park, first to Savuti Marsh, then scenic Ghoha Hills Camp, for thrilling game drives in a predator-rich area before ending with a flight to Maun.
   
• 7 Day Okavango Delta Walking & Savuti Safari in Botswana - An excellent-value adventure combining guided bush walks and mokoro trips in the pristine delta with thrilling game drives through predator-rich Savuti Marsh in Chobe National Park, staying in remote, scenic locations.
   
• 7 Day Botswana Lodge Safari: Okavango Delta to Chobe - Fully inclusive Safari from the Okavango Delta to Chobe, including game drives, mokoro rides, bush walks, and a scenic flight from Khwai to Kasane and Chobe National Park for game drives, a Chobe River safari cruise, and cultural interaction with the local Sibuya people.
   
• 6 Day Moremi & Okavango Delta Tented Safari - A fully serviced, all-inclusive experience allowing you to relax and enjoy the diverse wildlife of Moremi and the Khwai River floodplains of the Okavango Delta.
   
• 5 Day Chobe & Okavango Delta Lodge Tour - Fly between Chobe, the Okavango Delta and Maun while enjoying game walks, mokoro trips, boat cruises, and 4x4 safari game drives for an unforgettable safari in two of Botswana’s top wildlife destinations, Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve.

Book Your Delta Safari in Botswana

The Okavango Delta is a truly unique wildlife destination. Many Botswana safari options balance excellent value, comfort, and unforgettable encounters. 

Speak to the experienced travel consultants at African Budget Safaris to help tailor a trip to see the Okavango Delta and Botswana's other wilderness gems at their best!

Sue Maude Author

Sue is a proud African with a love for the bush. Sue likes nothing better than a road trip and won’t stop until she's driven every road in South Africa! She spent her 20s working abroad backpacking the world and has had the travel bug ever since. As long as it's an adventure, she is equally happy to explore the city lights, follow the footsteps of history, try unique activities, or go deep into nature to enjoy silent spaces, earthy smells and fascinating fauna & flora. When she is not on the road, Sue lives close to the beach in Cape Town.