If you want a trip that feels like nothing else you have ever done, the Okavango Delta should be your next destination. It is often called the “Jewel of the Kalahari,” it sits in the heart of Botswana, where the Okavango River flows into the dry plains of the Kalahari Desert. The Okavango Delta is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biodiverse places in the world.
For couples who want a romantic getaway that does not involve a resort pool or a hotel buffet, this is it because it’s remote and calm that you can actually hear yourself think. It is also perfect for nature loving couples and couples who love adventure as the Okavango Delta is home to Africa’s iconic Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos.
Romantic Things to Do in Okavango Delta
The romantic things to do in Okavango Delta are for couples who are ready for adventures. Here are some activities to put on your list:
1. Mokoro Safari Through the Delta
A mokoro is a traditional dugout canoe and it is one of the best ways to experience the delta up close. Your guide poles it through narrow channels lined with papyrus reeds and water lilies, you might see hippos a few metres away and birds overhead. This activity is calm and serene with just the wildlife and two of you. It is actually one of those romantic things to do in Okavango Delta as a lot of couples talk about how much they love the experience.
2. Sunrise Bush Walk
Walking through the bush at sunrise with a guide, of course, is one of those top things to do in Okavango Delta that you wouldn’t appreciate until you are actually doing it. Soft lights, cool air and bushes waving with the winds, you might also see elephants in the water, warthogs, or zebras walking through the grass.
3. Sunset Game Drive
As the sun goes down the animals wake up and the sky turns orange, red, or even deep pink. Most camps stop somewhere during the drive as tourists pour a drink and just sit with the sky watching the light change. This experience makes it one of the most romantic things to do in Okavango Delta and definitely one of the best evenings you will have anywhere.
4. Fly-In Camp Experience
Many of the best camps in the delta can only be reached by small aircraft, and flying low over the waterways with everything spread out below you is another activity to do. This means you’d land on a tiny airstrip in the middle of nowhere while your camp team comes to get you.
5. Sleep Under the Stars
Some camps offer open air sleep out decks, raised platforms where you sleep outside under the African night sky counting the stars. However, this isn’t for everyone but if you are both up for it, you will talk about that night for years.
Where You Can Stay in Okavango Delta
Almost everything in the delta is tented camps and lodges and they are some of the most beautiful properties in Africa. Here are two campsites you need to know about:
1. Mombo Camp
Mombo Camp is one of the best safari camps in Africa, also known as “The Place of Plenty”. It is set on Chief’s Island in the heart of the delta, the tented suites have private decks over the floodplains. The food is excellent and the game viewing right from camp is one of the best in Botswana with lions, leopards, wild dogs, elephants, regularly in view.
2. Sango Safari Camp
If you want to enjoy the full Okavango experience without the bill that would give you a heart attack, Sango Safari Camp is a good option. The tent rooms are comfortable, good food, access to game drives and mokoro safaris, and a team that knows the delta well. It is not the most luxurious option but the location and experience is beautiful.
Best Time to Visit Okavango Delta
The delta changes a lot depending on when you go so you would put it in consideration before you book. May to October is the dry season and generally the best time to visit. By June and July the floodwaters from Angola have filled the delta and the whole place looks incredible but July and August are the busiest months so it would be great to book early.
November to April is the green season. The rains come in short bursts in the afternoon, prices of things drop, camps are quiet and the birdlife goes completely crazy with migratory species coming from everywhere. Some areas get harder to reach but if budget matters and you do not mind a bit of rain, you can still travel. May and October are good middle ground options if you want decent conditions without expensive prices.
Sample Daily Budget for Okavango Delta (Per Couple)
The Okavango delta is kind of expensive compared to other safari destinations, mostly because of how remote it is. Here is a rough breakdown:
1. Budget — Around $500 per day
This includes camps on the edges of the delta, shared game drives, meals included. You get there by road and boat rather than flying in which makes things more affordable.
2. Mid-Range — Around $1,000 per day
This includes camps inside the delta with all meals, game drives and mokoro safaris included. With this budget you can afford to stay in smaller groups, better access, more personal space. This is the sweet spot for most couples who want to do it properly without completely losing their minds over the cost.
3. Luxury — $1,500 or more per day
This includes private camps, fly-in trips, your own guide, amazing food and wine, and some of the best game viewing in Africa. Everything is handled and the only thing you have to think about is each other and what is happening outside the tent.
What to Know Before You Go
Botswana is one of the most stable and welcoming countries in Africa so you are in good hands. However, there are a few practical things yoi should know before you travel.
Malaria is present in the delta so antimalarials are a must and pack good insect repellent, especially for the evenings. You should wear neutral colours on game drives, khaki, beige, olive, because bright colours can disturb wildlife.
Botswana keeps visitor numbers deliberately low to protect the ecosystem, which is a part of why the delta feels so untouched. The currency is the Botswana Pula but for almost all camps you might have already made full payment for everything you need so you will not need much cash once you are there.
