Botswana, Africa

Okavango Delta in September

Flood starting to recede, wildlife concentrated, and superb predator action. Many regulars' favorite month.

BestHot and dry, highs near 91F (33C)

Zebras crossing water in the Okavango Delta — Okavango DeltaPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

September is one of the best months of the year to visit Okavango Delta. Flood starting to recede, wildlife concentrated, and superb predator action. Many regulars' favorite month.

Weather: Hot and dry, highs near 91F (33C)
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What September is like in Okavango Delta

September is hot and dry, with highs near 91F (33C) and warm nights. The flood starts to recede, which pulls wildlife even tighter around the remaining water. Predator action is superb, the light is golden and hazy, and many safari regulars call this their favorite month. Prices are still at peak, though camps are slightly less crowded than in July and August.

September suits photographers, repeat visitors and anyone who puts wildlife first. Afternoons are getting hot, so it is less comfortable for very young children or anyone who struggles in heat. Water activities are still possible at most camps, but if mokoro trips are the main reason you are going, June to August is a safer bet.

Make the most of September

What is especially good about Okavango Delta this month.

Wildlife concentration builds

As the Kalahari dries out, animals crowd onto the floodplains and islands. Sightings come thick and fast.

Superb predator action

Lions, leopards and wild dogs hunt around shrinking water sources, and private concessions let guides follow them off-road.

Elephants along the Chobe

Big dry-season herds gather along the Chobe River. A sunset boat trip from Kasane is an easy add-on.

Golden, hazy light

Dust and smoke in the dry air soften the light at dawn and dusk, which photographers love.

What to pack for September

Breathable, long-sleeved shirts for sun protection
A light fleece for early mornings only
A reusable water bottle to stay hydrated in the heat
A lens cloth and dust cover for your camera

Our timing tip

Plan a rest in camp over the hottest hours of the afternoon and save your energy for the dawn drive, when predators are most active.

Book Okavango Delta for September.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Okavango Delta
Opens a hotel search for Okavango Delta in September, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
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Vacation rentals in Okavango Delta
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets in Okavango Delta
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Okavango Delta for September. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
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What's on in September

Dry-season wildlife concentration

Roughly August through October

As the surrounding Kalahari dries out, wildlife crowds onto the floodplains and islands. The later in the season, the better the viewing and the hotter the days.

Things to do in Okavango Delta

Full guide

A mokoro excursion

Poled by a local guide through the shallow channels. Best when water is high, roughly May to September; in low water, only camps on permanent channels can offer it.

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Moremi Game Reserve

The protected eastern core of the Delta, reachable by road from Maun, and the most accessible way to combine water and land game drives on a self-drive or mobile safari.

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A scenic flight over the Delta

Seeing the channels, islands, and elephant paths from a light aircraft or helicopter is the only way to grasp the scale. Short flights run from Maun.

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A private concession camp

The fly-in camps in private concessions offer night drives, walking safaris, and far fewer vehicles than the reserve. The priciest option, and the one that shows the Delta at its best.

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Chobe National Park

Famous for enormous dry-season elephant herds along the Chobe River, best from a boat at sunset. Usually combined with the Delta via Kasane.

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The Makgadikgadi Pans

Vast salt pans south of the Delta. In the green season, zebra migrate onto the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan grasslands; in the dry season, meerkat and quad-bike trips on the pans.

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Beat the crowds

Botswana limits camp sizes and vehicle numbers, so crowds show up as sold-out camps, not busy sightings. Book July through September camps 9 to 18 months ahead.
Consider May, early June, or late October: most of the peak-season experience at shoulder rates, with only a small trade in water levels or heat.
Choose a private concession over the public Moremi reserve if you want sightings without other vehicles; concession rules cap traffic and allow off-road tracking.
In green season, pick camps on permanent water so mokoro and boat activities still run when seasonal channels are dry.

Know before you go

A few camps close for part of the green season, usually somewhere in January through March, for maintenance. Most stay open with lower rates.
Water-based activities depend on flood levels, which vary every year. In a low-flood year, some camps cannot offer mokoro trips even in winter; ask each camp what it expects.
Most Delta camps are reached only by light aircraft from Maun or Kasane, with strict soft-bag luggage limits, often around 44 pounds (20 kg) including hand luggage.
Moremi's self-drive roads flood in high water; some routes and bridges become impassable, so route plans change with the season.

Okavango Delta in September, quick answers

Is September a good time to visit Okavango Delta?

September is one of the best months of the year to visit Okavango Delta. Flood starting to recede, wildlife concentrated, and superb predator action. Many regulars' favorite month.

What is the weather like in Okavango Delta in September?

Hot and dry, highs near 91F (33C).

Is Okavango Delta crowded in September?

Okavango Delta is busy in September, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.

What is happening in Okavango Delta in September?

Dry-season wildlife concentration (roughly august through october).