This is the first of a two part blog post about the Okavango Delta Flood of 2009. Bill put this post together before his Tanzania trip. I will be posting the second part of the blog post on Friday

The Okavango Delta is currently experiencing a once or maybe twice in a lifetime event - a 50 year flood. Torrential rains that fell in Angola work their way down to lower through Namibia and work their way down into the Okavango Delta. These seasonal floods usually occur at the end of April or the beginning of May each year in the northern portions of the Okavango Delta. The floodwaters travel at a relatively quick pace through the delta - averaging about 3 kilometers daily. By late June, the progress of the floods is halted by the extremely arid Botswana climate which dispatches of 95% of the water through evaporation.

April saw these floods reach 50 year highs. The floodwaters have subsided somewhat since then, but more peak flows were rumored to be on the way from the highlands of Angola. It is likely that the impact of this flood will in fact be somewhere between a 30 to 50 year flood for the Okavango Delta.

What About the Wildlife?

This blog is about primarily wildlife - so naturally a good question to ask is what happens to the wildlife (and game viewing) during historic floods like the one currently occurring in Botswana. A periodic flood like this is absolutely essential for th ehealth of the Delta. The flood provides a big boost to groundwater levels and it also initiates growth of new grasses within the flood plain. The net impact on wildlife is a positive one as sources of food become more available for herbivores. This abundance of nutrition works its way up the entire food chain and benefits all for this year, and perhaps longer.

One Possible Outcome of Flooding's Positive Effect on Wildlife

The Savuti Channel is located approximately 60 miles east of the Okavango Delta area and for the first time in nearly 30 years started flowing again. The current flooding may offer the opportunity for waters to make their way to Savuti Marsh - a wetland area that has the capability to support large herds of African Cape Buffalo through the dry season into November.

Friday's blog post delves more deeply into the flood. I'll be discussing the flood's impact on Local Villages and Tribes, Camp Owners, and Safari Goers. A flood like this has its destructive side to be sure, but it also offers a lot of opportunities to see things that you normally wouldn't have a chance to see.