Central Okavango

"Central Okavango Delta" refers to the Chief's Island area, which is actually in the Moremi Wilderness Reserve. The island splits the Okavango Delta into east and west and geographically, Chief's Island is centrally located in terms of the whole waterway.

Habitats here are drier and vary from open plains to secluded islands with papyrus-fringed channels and low patches of dry land. Large sections of mopane woodland are interspersed with islands of fan palms and sycomore figs.

Larger herds of animals move on these open plains in far greater numbers than in the narrow channels and reedbeds of the inner Delta. This area is more typical of wide, open spaces traditionally associated with Africa. The sheer numbers and diversity defy any description - believe us when we say that without any excessive marketing lingo or exaggeration. It's very true! All the major species are seen frequently and an added bonus is the area is in a low tourist density zone, so other guests are NOT frequently spotted!

During the dry season, the floodplains to the west dry up and cause animals to move eastwards in order to utilise the wetter areas around Chief's Island - between March and May each year. The ancient Kalahari sands around the island support a different type of vegetation to the grasses in the west. When the waters recede, the animals leave the wetter areas and move back to the short grassplains now covered with sweet, green grass.

Birdlife is prolific, with waterfowl like African Jacana, Pygmy-Geese, massive Goliath Heron and migrant waders in summer being particularly common.

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