youngrobv
Botswana Okavango Delta _D7C15513
We'd just arrived in Camp Moremi and were indulging in the perfect cold beer when wat seems like a deer wandered onto the camp property. We were explained that the electric fence around the camp only keeps the elephants out, but 'anything smaller than a hippo can get in'. I am sure a lion is smaller than a hippo, but am explained that hippos are more dangerous than lions. Of course...
Named after Chief Moremi of the BaTawana tribe, Moremi Game Reserve is located on the South Eastern side of Botswana's Okavanga Delta and provides strong contrasts between areas which are largely dry and those that are permanently under water. The thick tree zones abruptly change from lush green to dead wood, stripped bare by elephants. Covering a relatively small 5000 sqm, about 70% is part of the Okavango Delta, and as such often swampy or under completely water. The 4x4 vehicles routinely cross the lagoons, while larger distances have to covered by Cessna, between the many small airstrips. Shorter distances can also be covered by foot to create a more unusual safari experience.
Home to some 500 species including Buffalo, Giraffes, Lions, Hyaenas, Jackals Impalas, Lechwe and Leopards, with the latter hard to find in the dense fauna. Although warned about mosquitos, we encountered few on this part of our trip.
The Okavango Delta is the world's largest inland Delta. The Okavango River starts in Angola as the Cubango River, it then follows the border between Angola and Namibia, and drops across the Popa Falls as it enters Botswana. The Okavango River by then spreads itself some 1.2km wide before encountering the Kalahari Desert's northern Basins where it forms the spectacular Okavango Delta. A partial escape is found in the rainy season, when there is an outflow to the Boteti River, which then discharges into the Makgadikgadi Pans, and so providing the seasonal wetland where tens of thousands of Flamingos congregate.
The Delta is constantly under threat due to the Water conflict between Namibia and Botswana. Namibia wants to construct a water canal draining off the Okavango River as it passes through its Caprivi Strip to relieve local draught. The Delta would likely reduce, or even disappear, which would have a devastating impact on Botswana's tourism, not to mention the impact on the flora and fauna. Botswana itself is continuously under fire for its sustained use of veterinary fence, which protect cattle farms, but also block natural migration routes. Two fences cut right through the Delta.
Botswana Okavango Delta _D7C15513
We'd just arrived in Camp Moremi and were indulging in the perfect cold beer when wat seems like a deer wandered onto the camp property. We were explained that the electric fence around the camp only keeps the elephants out, but 'anything smaller than a hippo can get in'. I am sure a lion is smaller than a hippo, but am explained that hippos are more dangerous than lions. Of course...
Named after Chief Moremi of the BaTawana tribe, Moremi Game Reserve is located on the South Eastern side of Botswana's Okavanga Delta and provides strong contrasts between areas which are largely dry and those that are permanently under water. The thick tree zones abruptly change from lush green to dead wood, stripped bare by elephants. Covering a relatively small 5000 sqm, about 70% is part of the Okavango Delta, and as such often swampy or under completely water. The 4x4 vehicles routinely cross the lagoons, while larger distances have to covered by Cessna, between the many small airstrips. Shorter distances can also be covered by foot to create a more unusual safari experience.
Home to some 500 species including Buffalo, Giraffes, Lions, Hyaenas, Jackals Impalas, Lechwe and Leopards, with the latter hard to find in the dense fauna. Although warned about mosquitos, we encountered few on this part of our trip.
The Okavango Delta is the world's largest inland Delta. The Okavango River starts in Angola as the Cubango River, it then follows the border between Angola and Namibia, and drops across the Popa Falls as it enters Botswana. The Okavango River by then spreads itself some 1.2km wide before encountering the Kalahari Desert's northern Basins where it forms the spectacular Okavango Delta. A partial escape is found in the rainy season, when there is an outflow to the Boteti River, which then discharges into the Makgadikgadi Pans, and so providing the seasonal wetland where tens of thousands of Flamingos congregate.
The Delta is constantly under threat due to the Water conflict between Namibia and Botswana. Namibia wants to construct a water canal draining off the Okavango River as it passes through its Caprivi Strip to relieve local draught. The Delta would likely reduce, or even disappear, which would have a devastating impact on Botswana's tourism, not to mention the impact on the flora and fauna. Botswana itself is continuously under fire for its sustained use of veterinary fence, which protect cattle farms, but also block natural migration routes. Two fences cut right through the Delta.