Water is synonymous with the Delta experience and nowhere are the dynamic interactions of the flow and flood of water that feed this unpredictable system more obvious than in this magnificent ecosystem. Understanding it's beginnings therefore makes interesting reading.

Between three and five million years ago, after the continental drift when Africa was flatter, a huge depression formed into which water flowed bringing clay and sand. Over time the lake started to dry and the waters receded leaving exposed a huge glistening salt encrusted lake floor.

The fault line running along the central part of Africa where the Okavango and Zambezi rivers now flow, were, all these millions of years ago the site of tectonic movements that caused the southern part of Africa to uplift, opening giant cracks that led to the formation of waterfalls and resulted in the Zambezi altering its course and heading eastward over the plateau towards the sea. This left the Okavango to feed the super lake while it's waters filled the narrow strip of twisting channels and dense papyrus that now lead to the Panhandle, the Delta's main source of water.

Meanwhile close by, in the town of Gumare not far from Shakawe, a second tectonic plate cracked shifting the southern plate up against its northern neighbour, forcing the Okavango to spread into the fingers of the Delta. Not all the waterways that this mighty river feeds make it through to the Delta though - the raised fault line creates the southern edge of the Delta where the waters collect before being carried through to Maun, filling the Boteti river (and others), west to Lake Ngami and east to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. 

Inextricably linked but each as diverse as the other, the Okavango Delta Makgadikgadi relationship is the result of the same ancient inland lake. And yet, while the Okavango remains lush and wet, Makgadikgadi - dry, white and shimmering, also has the ability to fill with water and transform into one of the most important flamingo breeding grounds in Africa, reliant solely on exceptional flood waters reaching the Okavango from Angola.

This tour follows the rift from the surreal landscape of Makgadikgadi to the giant crack in the Earth's crust that ultimately led to the formation of Vic Falls, traversing the unique inland river system of the Okavango Delta. This is without doubt, a place as diverse as the wildlife that inhabits it, offering a perspective that literally takes your breath away. 

Little wonder, it's one of my all time favourite escapes!

Until next time - hope you have a great week!

MJ