The waters of the Okavango Delta are subject to seasonal flooding, which begins about mid-summer in the north and six months later in the south (May/June). The water from the delta is evaporated relatively rapidly by the high temperatures, resulting in a cycle of cresting and dropping water in the south. Islands can disappear completely during the peak flood, then reappear at the end of the season. This process of evaporation was badly understood as late as the early 20th century: The water entering the delta is unusually pure. This is mainly due to the lack of agriculture and industry along the Kavango River. It passes through the sand aquifers of the numerous delta islands and also evaporates thus leaving enormous quantities of salt behind. Where this happens these processes are so strong that the vegetation disappears in the center of the islands and thick salt crusts are formed.

Wildlife
The Okavango is home to a prosperity of wildlife and attracts thousands of visitors a year. There are many different ways to visit this beautiful region and accommodation ranges from simple camps up to luxury resorts within the delta region.

The delta provides a seasonal habitat to numerous different species. Among these are African Bush Elephants, the African Buffalo, the Hippopotamus, the Lechwe, the Topi, the Blue Wildebeest, the Giraffe, the Nile crocodile, the Lion, the Cheetah, the Leopard, Brown and Spotted Hyenas, Kudu, the Sable Antelope, both the Black and the White Rhinoceros, the Plains Zebras, the Warthog and the Chacma Baboon. Notably the endangered African Wild Dog is present within the Okavango Delta, exhibiting one of the richest pack densities in Africa. The delta also includes over 400 species of birds, including the African Fish Eagle, the Crested Crane, the Lilac-breasted Roller, the Hammerkop, Ostrich, and the Sacred Ibis.