On this special day I would like to dedicate this entry to one of the most beautiful sites on earth, considered a world heritage site by UNESCO: The Okavango Delta in Botswana.
The Okavango Delta is an unusual case of delta, as it does not flow into the sea. In fact, it is not a real river delta, but rather a very large alluvial fan, which can reach between 15,000 km² and 22,000 km², and which occurs where the Okavango River drains. This vast, virtually endorheic plain (the accumulated water does not flow into the ocean and will only disappear through evaporation and filtration) with a much drier climate than the headwaters of the Okavango River is the largest inland delta on the planet and is home to a wealth of African wildlife from birds, antelopes, giraffes, but is also home to the Big 5 (Lion, Brown Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard and Rhino).
The lions (Panthera Leo) that inhabit the Okavango delta are famous for their swimming skills as well as their size and strength. Their swimming skills were developed as they are forced to cross from islet to islet for much of the year in search of antelope and impala, their usual prey. On Chief Island in Moremi National Park, there's a small, dwindling lion population that feeds exclusively on buffalo, which are extremely dangerous and large. As a rule, they can only afford to hunt this prey if male lions are involved in the hunt, but even the females are extremely strong, so they can specialise in them.
Elephant families (Loxodonta Africana) are abundant in the Okavango Delta. The signs of their progress are clear everywhere: droppings, trees debarked or felled, paths of the herds' passage, which can be as many as fifty individuals. It is easy to see them on the banks of the islets feeding on the fleshy roots of the water lilies. Elephants have no problem moving through a shallow water system as they are excellent swimmers.
The leopard (Panthera Pardus Pardus) is a solitary hunter very difficult to observe, especially in a habitat that can be as lush as the delta. This tall and dense vegetation is the perfect place to stalk its prey, whether it does so from the trees or from the ground, this predator is a master of ambush, from which there is little chance of escape. Since there are very few of them you have to rely on specialized local guides to see them.
There are very few white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum) in Botswana as they are not very water-loving, heavy and unmanageable in aquatic environments. In 2002, four white rhinos were reintroduced to Chief Island and can be seen north of Eagle Island Camp. Black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) are endangered, but recovery efforts are underway at Botswana's Khama Rhino Sanctuary.
Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) like areas with lots of grass, water and shade, so the Okavango delta is an ideal place to give birth to the first calves of the season. The males occupy the margins of the group, while the females and calves are concentrated in the interior, where they are in less danger. This animal is one of the most dangerous on the African continent.
These are some brief descriptions of five of the hundreds of animal species that inhabit the Okavango Delta, a place full of life thanks to one of the most wonderful phenomena on planet Earth, attracting hundreds of tourists every year to witness the beauty that Mother Nature gives us, and only we can make sure that places like these take their course for generations to come.
"The Earth is not an inheritance from our parents, but a loan from our children."
To learn a little more about this beautiful place I recommend that you watch the documentary "The Okavango Flood" by National Geographic, which is available on Disney+.
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