Poor annual rainfall and low flood waters is affecting water-based safari activities across Northern Botswana.
OKAVANGO DELTA – Xugana Island Lodge & Camp Okavango concession (NG21)
Fortunately for their guests, all water based Desert & Delta Safaris Camps & Lodges offer year round water based activities. Mokoro & motorised boating activities have continued at both Camp Okavango and Xugana Island Lodge despite the low water levels. However, adjustments to these water based activities are done based on the conditions on the day.
The jetty at Camp Okavango, shows significantly lower water levels in comparison to recent years. They have proactively moved the boat station to an area that has easier access to the surrounding deep water channels, which will be used until the water levels increase.
OKAVANGO DELTA – Moremi Game Reserve – Xakanaxa Lagoon
Motorised boating activities from Camp Moremi & Camp Xakanaxa have been unaffected as the water levels in the Xakanaxa Lagoon and the surrounding deep water channels remain high.
CHOBE RIVER – Chobe Game Lodge and Chobe Savanna Lodge
Chobe River levels are considerably lower than average. Measurements of the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo (which usually pushes water into the Chobe) are approximately 4-meters lower than last year. The good news is that the Chobe Riverfront received some late rains over the weekend (40mm).
Despite the lower levels, there will be no problem boating on the Chobe River from both Chobe Game Lodge & Chobe Savanna Lodge this year and wildlife sightings are extremely good.
MAKGADIKGADI PANS NATIONAL PARK – Boteti River – Leroo La Tau
The poor rainfall has also resulted in the premature start of the zebra migration at Leroo La Tau on the western boundary of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park – seeing thousands of zebra starting their annual movements months before the usual times.
The seasonal boating activities at the lodge are now suspended for the foreseeable future.
The early zebra migration means that the Boteti River Valley is once again a sea of black and white. This means we are in for an intense season of game-viewing for the remainder of the dry season.