The Okavango Delta is one of the most complex and enchanting ecosystems in the world. It is no wonder that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there is no doubt that it deserves its designation.
But when you plan to go on safari in Botswana, the Okavango Delta flood can be rather confusing. Many safari-goers do not know how important it is to know about the Delta and its annual flooding, so we wanted to clear up any confusion you might have.
Every year, the Okavango Delta expands from around 6,000 km2 to 15,000 km2 when the floods arrive. It is an incredible influx of water and life into the delta. And there are some safari activities and locations that are entirely dependent on water levels, which might influence where and when you choose to visit.
So let us jump right into it. How is the 2025 Okavango Delta flood season looking, and what do you need to know?’
Current Okavango Delta Flood Water Levels in July 2025
The 2025 season is set to be one of the Okavango Delta’s best floods in recent years. It is a remarkable recovery from almost a decade of drought within the region.
In 2025, the Okavango Delta region received substantial rainfall, with over 200mm of rainfall recorded in Northern Botswana earlier this year in just 24 hours. The areas around the Cubango, Cuito, Kavango, Kunene, and Zambezi Rivers also experienced better-than-average rainfall years, resulting in rising water levels.
Heavy rainfall across Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe has saturated the soil and driven floodwaters across the Okavango Delta. This year, on a Botswana safari in the Okavango Delta, you can expect higher-than-normal water levels, extensive flooding, and a rejuvenated ecosystem thriving from the water.
Changes in water levels in the Okavango Delta at Rundu over the past 6 years. Current water levels for 2025 are reported in red.
How Does the Okavango Delta Flood Work?
Okay, so now that you know how the 2025 Okavango Delta flood season is looking, let’s talk about how it works. The water levels within the Okavango Delta depend on a few different variables:
- Rainfall in Namibia and Angola
- Zambezi River water levels
- Local rainfall
- Location in the Delta
- Time of the year
Rainfall in Namibia and Angola
The rainfall in Angola and Namibia has a much greater impact on the flood level in Botswana’s Okavango Delta than rainfall in the delta (almost 60% of the flood is directly impacted by upriver rainfall). In fact, most of the water in the Delta travels approximately 100 km (over a few months) from Angola, through Namibia, and finally into the panhandle of the Delta.
When monitoring and predicting how good a particular flood season is going to be, scientists gather data from the Rundu and Divundu water stations in Namibia. The water levels at these stations will reflect river flow and rise, and serve as an important indicator for how good a particular flood season will be in the Okavango Delta.
Zambezi River
Perhaps more surprising is the fact that the Zambezi River also has an impact on the Okavango Delta floods. Not only does the Zambezi impact the water levels at Victoria Falls, but it also feeds into the Chobe River. As a backwater river for the Zambezi, the Chobe River’s water levels are a direct result of the volume of Victoria Falls. So, when the Zambezi has a good year, so does Chobe.
And in high-water years (this year), Zambezi water can reach all the way down to the Chobe floodplains. This can help strengthen the already incredible biodiversity of the area and encourage even more herds of elephants, buffalo, antelope, and strong populations of predators.
Local Rainfall
Not as important, but still impactful, is the local summer rainfall in the Okavango Delta. From November until April, the Okavango Delta typically receives around 475mm of rainfall. This accounts for around 40% of the overall Delta flood waters (while 60% comes from upriver).
In 2025, local rains fell early and in great abundance. By January, some areas of the Delta had already reached more than 55% of their average long-term rainfall. This was a substantial change from 2024, which marked some of the most extreme drought in decades.
Location in the Delta
The Okavango Delta flood does not reach every part of northern Botswana. As you can see on the map below, there is a permanent swamp, seasonal floodplains that almost always flood, and seasonal floodplains that only occasionally flood. In a good year, such as what we expect for 2025, most seasonal floodplains should be filled.
One of the best indicators of an exceptional flood season is when the flood reaches Maun via the Thamalakane River. Over the last decade, drought has kept the Thamalakane relatively dry so far south, or at very low levels. In 2025, the flood has already reached the Matlapaneng Bridge and is going strong.
Time of the Year
The annual floods enter the Okavango Delta in the fall, typically between April and May each year. This timing allows for the full impact of the summer rainy season to fill up the Angolan highlands and the Namibian rivers and then travel into the Okavango Delta. This is a process that you can witness first-hand when the flood waters first start to arrive in April.
The best times of the year to experience the flood are during the dry season (winter) in Botswana: June to September. It is called the “dry” season due to a lack of rain, but this doesn’t necessarily mean there is little water. Instead, the “dry” season is when the flood levels are the highest and water is in abundance.
2025 Okavango Delta Flood and Your Safari
So, what does all this mean for your 2025 safari in the Okavango Delta? How will the floods affect your experience?
A great flood season can mean incredible wildlife opportunities. More water means a more active and diverse ecosystem with both predators and prey taking advantage of the abundance of water.
High flood waters also mean the opportunity for more water excursions. During the flood season, you can take a boating safari in Moremi Game Reserve or go on a mokoro safari in Khwai Concession. There are many ways to traverse the flooded landscape and have unique wildlife encounters, and they are well worth it.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to Brave Africa Safaris (info@braveafrica.com) if you have more questions or if you would like to book a last-minute safari for this incredible 2025 Okavango Delta flood season.
