In the heart of the great Kalahari Desert lies a remarkable oasis, an immense Delta called the Okavango.
Around 22 000 square kilometers becoming visible from space surrounded by the desert, one of the driest places on earth; the Okavango delta is a sanctuary for a natural world
unchanged in many ways since the dawn of humanity; the Okavango is a place like nowhere else in Africa, a rich tapestry of wildlife woven together by the life-giving waters of this vast Eden; this is a world of tranquil beauty but even so the eternal struggle for survival goes on continually here too!.
It attracts biodiversity unrivaled in the region, it is home to the largest remaining elephant population on the planet and creates a conservation-based tourism economy in Botswana that supports many thousands of jobs The delta itself is protected, but the highlands and rivers that supply it are not; the story of this water begins thousands of kilometers north deep in the angolan highlands in an area larger than 21 000 soccer fields!.
Every year the mighty Quito and Kubungu river systems carry around nine and a half trillion liters of this water down through Namibia to spill out into the Okavango delta in Botswana; as part of an ongoing conservation effort the national geographic Okavango wilderness project has surveyed these river systems they found the aftermath of a nearly three decade civil war has led to an increase in deforestation and unchecked commercial agriculture putting the future of this wetland wilderness at risk but they have also discovered more than a hundred species believed to be new to science today.
The project is also focused on working with local communities to secure the permanent sustainable protection that the greater Okavango basin needs to survive; National Geographic has been joined by De Beers which has spent over 50 years discovering diamonds in partnership with the people of Botswana while also supporting education healthcare livelihoods and wildlife conservation efforts.
De Beer's strives to ensure that every diamond discovered has a positive impact on people and the planet; through this partnership De Beers and National Geographic will work together to help conserve this entire water system, protecting wildlife corridors so that animals can roam freely, working with people from the region to help create sustainable livelihoods and sharing the remarkable story of the Okavango with the world, all this to preserve one of the planet's greatest natural wonders.
Eagles Rock could not miss a safari tour in this area so we have prepared programs for those interested in visiting Okavango Delta.
Please feel free to contact us for bespoke itineraries clicking on the button below!
