Deep at the heart of the great Kalahari lies
a lush oasis like no other; a place of astounding
beauty home to a great variety of wildlife.
The Okavango delta. It is here where we have
come to observe the incredible wildlife of
Africa from the largest to the fastest.
The Okavango is like nowhere else in the world,
a haven of unspoiled natural beauty which
has remained unchanged for hundreds of years.
The wildlife here is more diverse than anywhere
else in Africa, as over 150 species of mammals
congregate at the seasonal floodplains in
their masses; attracted by the green plants
and vast life-giving waterways. Animals like
these impalas frequently visit these waterholes
to drink, especially in the dry season when
water can become much more sparse.
The 
delta is densely populated by antelope. Great
numbers of all different varieties gather
to graze on the watered grasses, from herds
of leaping lechwes to snorting buffalo. All
worthy contenders on the kill list of many
predators.
(Leo) These animals behind me are wildebeest,
which are often confused with buffalo. These
are selective feeders, and they follow herds
of zebra when looking for food.
One of the most numerous animal species in
the delta are the termites, small invertebrates
who makes their homes in the rotting woods
of dead trees. Around the wood, they pile
up a great monument of soil and sand growing
larger as it gets older as more and more material
is built up on top.
Many of these termite mounds are abandoned,
but other wildlife can often find their own
uses for it, like these mongoose who have
tunnelled into the monument to make their
home. Even leopards are known to inhabit old
mounds, seeking shade from the restless sun.
It wasn’t long before we finally encountered
the King of the Delta, with his pride of females
close by his side. This female here can be
seen scratching at an old tree stump. While
it may look like she is only playing, this
is a very important exercise. She does this
in order to keep her claws sharp, so she is
ever-ready for the hunt and the tearing of
flesh that will inevitably follow. It is also
known to keep the claws clean and free from
infection.
This pack was readying for a hunt. The females
appeared restless, while the male gathered
strength in the shade.
