The Okavango River is a river in southwest Africa. It is the fourth-longest river system in southern Africa. The Okavango River, which gives birth to the delta after a journey of 1,000 miles, rises from the highlands of central Angola. It begins life as the Cubango River, then southern bound flows along the Angola-Namibian border, and eventually cuts across Namibia’s Caprivi Strip before finally crossing into Botswana. At each border crossing, the river acquires a new name; it is Cubango in Angola, Kuvango in Namibia and Okavango after it crosses into Botswana.
As the summer rains end with April, winter sets in; the Okavango has never known better days. The heat of the day subsides and the nights are cooler. The waters lethargically flow, finding new paths and enhancing old ones, totally changing the delta’s landscape. The clear waters reflect the sky and the bayou are covered with water lilies. The birds, grasshoppers, beetles and numerous insects are all ready to share in the profusion of the delta, humming away the day as nature’s music. Blue and green are the colors of the delta; the beauty is breathtaking from the air. It is now about 4 months since the floods entered Botswana.The waters teem with crocodiles, which appear to enjoy the delta’s best views from the clear waters. The vegetation is lush and the southern games have come to the delta in their great numbers. There is plenty for all and the Okavango basin flourishes in wild game, bird life and aquatic life. The lowlands have recorded over 450 bird species, over 250 different species of fish and reptiles, and an outstanding variety of almost every kind of African wild mammal.
Botswana’s Okavango Delta or Botswana’s Okavango Swamp
The Okavango Delta is one of the world’s largest inland deltas, and without doubts Africa’s most beautiful oasis. The delta spreads over 6, 500 miles in Botswana’s North Country surrounded by the Kalahari Desert savannah. The Moremi Game Reserve, a National Park, spreads across the eastern side of the delta. The emerald green delta is an astounding phenomenon that evokes wonder. It has customarily been dubbed the jewel of the Kalahari and as the miracle delta. The Okavango delta is Botswana’s lifeline and it is no exaggeration that it is indeed its ‘Garden of Eden’. In these unadulterated lands, all forms of life- man, wildlife, birds, and plants - draw life from its waters. The Okavango delta is both a permanent and seasonal home to a wide variety of wildlife. Types of animals include African Bush Elephant, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, Nile crocodile, Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Brown, Spotted Hyena, Greater Kudu, Sable Antelope, Black, White Rhinoceros, Plains Zebra, Warthog and Baboon. Notably the endangered African Wild Dog still survives within the Okavango Delta, exhibiting one of the richest pack densities in Africa. The delta also includes over 400 species of birds, including African Fish Eagle, Crested Crane, Lilac-breasted Roller, Hammerkop, Ostrich, and Sacred Ibis. They leave with the summer rains to find renewed fields of grass to graze on and trees to browse, and then make their way back as winter approaches.
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. Malawi is one of Africa’s smaller countries, a little over 45,000 square miles (117 000 sq km), of which about 20% is occupied by Lake Malawi. The Republic of Malawi is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa, Lake Nyassa, Lake Niassa, and Lago Niassa in Mozambique, an African Great Lake and the most southerly lake in the East African Rift valley system.
Lake Malawi occupies one fifth of the country’s total area. The lake, third largest in Africa and eighth largest in the world, is located between Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. It is also the second deepest lake in Africa. The lake’s tropical waters abound with more fish species than any other lake on Earth. Fishing villages are scattered along the length of the lakeshore and the traditional industry and practices are an attraction to visitors.
Public Holidays in Malawi
1. New Year’s Day 1 January
2. Chilembwe Day 15 January
3. Martyr’s Day 3 March
4. Good Friday Mid April
5. Easter Mid April
6. Labour Day 1 May
7. Kamuzu Day 14 May
8. Independence Day 6 July
9. Mother’s Day 15 October
10. Eid Ul Fitri Upon sighting of the new moon in the month of Ramadan
11. Christmas Day 25 December
