June 3rd, 2010
Our partners at Wilderness Safaris report the following details:The flood is an eagerly anticipated annual phenomenon. The level of each year’s flood is primarily dependent on rainfall in the catchment areas in Angola as well as rainfall over the Delta itself and there is a distinct short and long term cycle to the inflows and flooding patterns of the Okavango and associated river systems.
The extent and duration of the previous season’s rainfall and flood also have a major effect on the ensuing season. As 2008 and 2009 were both above average flood years, this has collectively led to this so-called ‘super year’ of 2010. These “wet” cycles usually last 10-15 years, so 2010 is about three years into the wet cycle, moving out of the dry cycle experienced between 1985 and 2005.
This very special occurrence, cyclical in nature, is much needed in maintaining greater biodiversity. The annual flooding regimes retain the very essence of the Okavango Delta – a veritable Garden of Eden.
The effects are fantastic, as large grassland areas and floodplains that have not been inundated for many years and even decades, become flooded, and a continued recharge of groundwater takes place. The Okavango Delta will be gradually inundated with crystal clear, lifegiving water. Islands will be rejuvenated and distal lakes will fill.
Linked to Mababe and fed from the Linyanti/Kwando system the Savute Channel can be expected to have a major increase in flows, resuscitating the famed Savute Marsh at the terminal end of the channel. The Selinda Spillway has now also joined up with the Savute Channel for only the 2nd time in 30 years. Grassy plains can be expected to be flooded by mid 2010, and important changes in vegetation structures and the resultant movement of animal life will occur.
All over northern Botswana the effects will be felt, but for Wilderness Safaris concessions, we are working hard at preparing (and in some cases already prepared) for these changes to this unique wetland. Most, if not all of our camps in the Okavango are situated on islands and higher ground with many situated on elevated walkways and raised decks, thus actual camp life and comfort remains unaffected. Water in the north of the Okavango Delta (Jao, Duba and Vumbura concessions) already seems to have peaked, stabilised and will soon start to decline although the water will be with us for an extended period in some form or another. Where necessary, road networks have been adjusted as far as possible, but in certain areas will be closed for extended periods this year. This is not a negative as these affected areas will be explored more with boats and by mekoro together with nature walks on the islands.
Birding opportunities will be absolutely incredible and will favour endangered species such as Wattled Crane and Slaty Egret as more nesting sites become available. Several specialist antlope species (such as sitatunga and red lechwe) will benefit hugely from this increased inundation. Greaterareas of shallow inundation will benefit massive numbers of fish, amphibians and reptiles whilst the explosion of insect life will provide a huge food resource for large numbers of birds, other insects, small reptiles and mammals. Even larger mammals may increase in numbers. There is a strong possibility that buffalo numbers (depressed for at least a decade) may increase throughout the Delta, and they will certainly spread more into areas they have been absent from for some time.
The Savute Channel and along the Linyanti used to be strongholds of these animals during the last wet cycle for example and we have already seen the beginnings of a recolonisation. Elephant will become largely absent from the very central Delta, but will take advantage of the increased food and water available along the edges of the Okavango, the Savute and even the areas around Boteti. These are just some of the benefits of this year’s increased inundation.
The water levels are expected to drop slowly this year, and the flood season is expected to last until September or October and even into November when one can expect large numbers of birds to concentrate on the drying floodplains and so called “fish traps”. The floodplains are even expected to still be partially full when the next rain season arrives in November or December, setting the stage for another excellent flood in 2011.
The next few seasons are going to offer wonderful opportunities to experience the Okavango Delta in all its glory... ______________________________________________
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