Okavango Delta -- game drives in flooded areas
May 18th, 2008, 10:30 PM
#43
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Wow, I’ve only been gone for less than a week, and I missed so much. Can I start a new thread entitled SOPWDYGSWTC?? Of course somebody will have to tell me what that acronym stands for.
Isabel
On this issue of flooding in July: You have been given good advice by many on this board. Water levels could be high, but in most cases you will not get wet. However, you will want to pick up belongings from the floorboard, especially if you are sitting in the front seat with the guide. You will likely traverse through the floodplains.
In July of last year I got stuck both at Duba Plains and at Tube Tree due to high water levels. Water was everywhere. We had to go through it to get to prime gave viewing areas. Anybody who says that you won’t be traversing through water because you aren’t traveling during the rainy season doesn’t have a clue that the water levels aren’t directly related to the rain in the Delta, but rather to rain levels upriver (way upriver…perhaps months in advance, but other could correct me on this).
May 19th, 2008, 05:40 AM
#44
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SOPWDYGSWTC has been amended to
SOPWDYGSWTCACOCS. It is the ultimate Fodors Africa board insult.
Smelly Old Polecat Why Don't You Go Swim With The Cros And Choke On Chocolate Strawberries?
I might even pull that out for someone that posts a really good sighting if I become jealous.
SOPWDYGSWTCACOCS. It is the ultimate Fodors Africa board insult.
Smelly Old Polecat Why Don't You Go Swim With The Cros And Choke On Chocolate Strawberries?
I might even pull that out for someone that posts a really good sighting if I become jealous.
(minor correction!)
May 19th, 2008, 02:49 PM
#47
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I see we've attracted that Smelly Old Polecat.
A friendly amendment to the amendment on the floor, results in
SOPWDYGSWTCACOCCS
Smelly Old Polecat Why Don't You Go Swim With The Cros And Choke On Chocolate Covered Strawberries?
A friendly amendment to the amendment on the floor, results in
SOPWDYGSWTCACOCCS
Smelly Old Polecat Why Don't You Go Swim With The Cros And Choke On Chocolate Covered Strawberries?
May 20th, 2008, 11:53 PM
#51
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My understanding is that almost all of the water comes from the Angolan highlands. It takes that long to spread across the delta.
Rainfall in the Angolan catchment area of the Okavango (Cubango) River is about three times that in the delta itself. And delta rainfall is further diminished by much higher evaporation rates. So back-country pans fill up in the summer rains, but quickly dry out while the Angolan waters are moving down the river and spreading across the delta.
Rainfall in the Angolan catchment area of the Okavango (Cubango) River is about three times that in the delta itself. And delta rainfall is further diminished by much higher evaporation rates. So back-country pans fill up in the summer rains, but quickly dry out while the Angolan waters are moving down the river and spreading across the delta.
May 21st, 2008, 01:01 AM
#52
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This is the Okavango Delta flood update in the Eyesonafrica web.
http://www.eyesonafrica.net/updates/flood-update.htm
Looks like this year water levels are unusually high at some camps in the Delta area due to last summer very heavy rains in Northern Botswana.
With the regular flood from the Okavango River reaching the Delta now and adding to that unusual high water levels ,2008 flood could be higher than normal.
http://www.eyesonafrica.net/updates/flood-update.htm
Looks like this year water levels are unusually high at some camps in the Delta area due to last summer very heavy rains in Northern Botswana.
With the regular flood from the Okavango River reaching the Delta now and adding to that unusual high water levels ,2008 flood could be higher than normal.
May 21st, 2008, 09:33 AM
#53
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Regarding the informative flood levels link...
In 2006 there was extra rain and floods that escalated late and I was worried it would wreck my early August trip. I was checking that link every few days and sighing relief or fretting depending on the slope of the water level curve.
I think my game viewing that year at Selinda suffered some, with few elies and lions not wanting to get their feet wet, but still had a cheetah, a caracal, and wild dogs. Even Duba Plains, where high floods can derail game viewing, was outstanding as was Vumbura. I vowed in the future not to worry over flood levels that fluctuate year to year. High or low, there will be remarkable sightings that await.
In 2006 there was extra rain and floods that escalated late and I was worried it would wreck my early August trip. I was checking that link every few days and sighing relief or fretting depending on the slope of the water level curve.
I think my game viewing that year at Selinda suffered some, with few elies and lions not wanting to get their feet wet, but still had a cheetah, a caracal, and wild dogs. Even Duba Plains, where high floods can derail game viewing, was outstanding as was Vumbura. I vowed in the future not to worry over flood levels that fluctuate year to year. High or low, there will be remarkable sightings that await.
