Mababe

The Okavango Delta has three end lakes into which the last waters of this World Heritage site drain. The Mababe area of Botswana is the best conserved one and stretches deep into Chobe National Park. It is also the most easterly body of water for wildlife from miles around, attracting thirsty animals from the dry south and further east.

The Mababe River supported a substantial wetland in the depression during the second half of the 19th century. The river reached the Mababe Depression in 1910 before drying up. It reached the depression again in 1925, and again in the late 50s and late 70s. ​The Mababe Marsh receives water from the Nqogha branch of the Okavango in the southern extremity of the Mababe Depression. In fact, the water arrives by two routes, the Moanachira-Khwai-Mochaba-Kudumane system flowing to the east, and the Gomoti-Mghelo-Zamkuio system flowing in an arc further south.​ In 2007, the Mababe River started flowing again, creating a wetland within an enormous grassland in the southern part of the Depression. ​ Today the wetland covers a surface area of nearly 2,600 ha​.

Botswana.

As the most easterly water for thousands of square miles, this unique wetland supports rich aquatic and dryland grasses, and forms the core grazing lands for a wealth of wildlife. Expect to see huge herds of buffalo, elephant, tsessebe, wildebeest and zebra, while roan and eland are often seen, along with a great many other plains game species. There are also excellent lion densities, a high number of hyenas, and various other predators, which include leopard, cheetah, wild dog, bat-eared fox, jackal, African wild cat and serval – all in good numbers.

Along with neutral-coloured safari clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and good walking shoes, you’ll want to be sure not to leave your binoculars at home for all the fantastic bird sightings. Pack every camera and lens you have, for this area promises a photographic safari quite unlike anything you’ve experienced before.