The Okavango Delta is one of the richest biodiversity hotspots on our planet. The landscape consists of innumerable canals with stands of papyrus and reed; shady lagoons covered with water lilies; swamps with lush aquatic vegetation; as well as periodically flooded grassy savanna and acacia forests.

Around 750 vertebrate species live here, of which there are almost 450 species of birds. Examples include the African openbill, Abdim’s and saddle-billed storks or the hamerkop. This is all in the immediate vicinity of the Kalahari Desert, where the Okavango comes to the end of its journey.

Okavango, author: Pavel Procházka

1. African openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus)
2. Abdim’s stork (Ciconia abdimii)
3. Purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)