Okavango Vumbura

frontage on the perennial Khwai River

At around 575 square kilometres, the Okavango Vumbura Concession is a superb private safari area.

The concession is restricted to just 40 guests in two camps, around 14 square kilometres per person, which is a low guest density.
It is a very pretty landscape of dry mopane woodland to the north, and open grasslands, seasonal floodplains and permanent river channels to the south, inhabited by a diverse range of species.

Roan and sable antelope are notable additions to the usual cast of predators and prey here in the delta. Regular predator sightings include lions, cheetahs, leopards and spotted hyenas.

Motorboat safari is also strong, with some interesting heronries and broad lagoons out on the main river. The good network of channels and floodplains are great for Mokoro canoe safari which is usually possible during May-Aug.

It usually experiences a strong and reliable flood during the early part of the dry season, creating extensive floodplains Jun-Sep.

When it comes to trip shapes and durations in Botswana, most visitors combine 2, 3 or 4 lodges by light aircraft over 6-12 nights, one or two of which will usually be here in Okavango Delta, combined with the Linyanti Waterfront and/or Makgadikgadi areas.

These trips are often done in combination with further nights at the Victoria Falls and/or down in the Cape.

The usual stay duration here on the Vumbura Concession is 3-4 nights.

Seasonality

The May-Jun flood season is the transition from the hot wet summer to the cool dry winter and is a great time to visit, with lots of baby animals around and the arrival of the floodwaters.

In May-Jun, temperatures can drop towards freezing during the night, but this has little adverse effect on safari, the days are gorgeous and there are virtually no insects around.

The majority of camps are also significantly discounted during this time.

Camps are primarily focused on vehicle safari, which should be reasonably strong throughout this period.

The flood in this northern part of the delta is relatively reliable, turning large parts of the area into a gorgeous water-world. However this period is a little early for full flood and mokoro canoe safari should be considered a bonus.

By contrast the camps are usually able to offer rather strong motorboat safari year round.

The Jul-Sep dry season is the classic time to visit the Okavango Delta and is the best time for wildlife viewing, as many animals are drawn to water from surrounding areas.

During Jul-Aug, cooler temperatures can continue at night, but this has little adverse effect on safari.

This is very much the high season in terms of prices and visitor numbers.

Camps now are primarily focused on vehicle safari, which should be very strong throughout this period.

Mokoro canoe safari should be possible during the early part of this season, but by the middle of August the waters are usually too far receded.

Camps are usually able to offer year-round motorboat safari.

During high water Little Vumbura Camp is unable to offer night vehicle safari, because it is considered too dangerous to return to camp by boat after dark.

The Oct-Dec hot wet season is the transition period between the peak of the dry season and the start of the rains.

In Oct-Nov the temperatures and humidities can become uncomfortably high in advance of the rains.

If significant rainfall does arrive, it is usually in the form of short showers and generally has little negative effect on safari conditions..

The majority of camps are significantly discounted during this period.

The camps now are primarily focused on vehicle safari, which should be very strong throughout this period.

The seasonal flood is likely to be too far receded for mokoro canoe safari, but motorboat safari should continue.

The period Jan-Apr is the main green season in the Okavango Delta, when the area experiences the majority of its rainfall.
The Dec-Feb period threatens the greatest chance of rain and temperatures should now have dropped slightly.

The majority of camps are significantly discounted throughout this season, making this a very smart time to travel, especially in April.

Camps now are primarily focused on vehicle safari. The wildlife viewing may not be quite as strong as during the dry season, with lower animal densities due to the outward dispersal from the delta, but the unusually rich mix of ecosystems in this particular area and the exceptional safari guiding usually ensure a high level of sightings.

The seasonal flood is likely to be too far receded for mokoro canoe safari but motorboat safari should remain operational in the deep water channels.

Getting there

There are daily flight connections between all the camps in Okavango, Linyanti and the main airport hubs at Maun and Kasane.

Unusually, the camps in Okavango Vumbura can also be reached by motorboat from the end of the Mopane Tongue.

unusual reliability of predator sightings year-round