subject: Visit the Okavango Delta [print this page] Okavango Delta or Okavango Swamp is found in Botswana. It's also the world's largest inland delta. The delta is formed in the region where the Okavango River empties onto the swamp in the Kalahari Desert. From here most of the water is lost through evaporation and transpiration. However the water doesn't end up into the sea but used for irrigation. Some of the water is used to irrigate about 15,000km2 of agricultural land. There rest of flood waters drain into Lake Ngami. Moremi Game Reserve cuts across the eastern side of the delta giving a tourism boost to the region.
Okavango delta is both a permanent and seasonal river and its home to a lot of wildlife that attracts a lot of tourists. The wildlife includes the Africa Bush Elephant, African Buffalo, Blue Wildebeest, White Rhinoceros, Brown Hyena, Nile crocodile, Giraffe, Sable Antelope, Hippocampus and others. The endangered African Wild Dog is also found at this place. The delta is home to over 400 species of birds, including African Fish Eagle, Crested Crane, Sacred Ibis, Ostrich and others. There are large herds of buffalos and elephants totaling to around 30,000.
Okavango Delta has a large population of the famous Lechwe antelope. The animals total to around 60,000. They feed on aquatic plants and they are slightly larger than the impalas. They are also under a lot of threat. The delta has an estimated 200,000 large mammals but some come in-between seasons either for grazing or breeding. The region is covered by a vegetation of papyrus and reeds. During floods the delta becomes a haven for crocodiles that can be seen sun bathing on the muddy fields.
