“This doesn’t happen every year. Only during high water levels, like in 2025, does the water flow through the Delta all the way to the heart of Maun!”
The water fever has begun again! In Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, the month of June means only one thing: When will the water reach the Old Bridge this year? In 2025 it will happen again: the water from the Okavango Delta flows powerfully and beautifully deep into Maun. And this is big news. For the local population, this may be the highlight of the year, a natural ritual that has been anticipated for months. For travelers, the Maun Flood 2025 is a spectacular phenomenon that perfectly shows how lively and dynamic Botswana’s landscape is.
Maun Flood
The Maun Flood is the moment when the water from the Okavango Delta, which began its journey from Angola months earlier, finally reaches Maun. The Thamalakane River, which usually flows quietly or even dries up during the rainy season, suddenly fills with clear, cool Delta water. This doesn’t happen every year. Only during high water levels, such as in 2025, does the water flow all the way through the Delta. All the way to the heart of Maun and through the Thamalakane to the Boteti River. And when that happens… the entire village comes to life.
“Maun lives for the water!!”
In May and June, the conversation in the streets, cafés, and campsites of Maun changes. Everyone wants to know:
- How far the water has come,
- If the Matlapaneng Bridge has been reached,
- And whether we might be able to swim again at Old Bridge this year. Be careful of the crocs!!
There are special WhatsApp groups with hundreds of members sharing daily updates. Videos of the first trickles creeping through the dry riverbeds toward the town appear on social media. There’s even a local website where you can bet on the exact arrival time. No joke! For residents of Maun, it’s not an exaggeration: the arrival of the water is more important than Christmas and birthdays combined.
What does this mean for nature?
The Flood is not only a celebration for humans but also for the ecosystem. When the water reaches the southern edges of the Delta, many animals and plants benefit from the extra water. The Thamalakane fills up with fish, birds return in droves, and the vegetation along the banks comes to life. For wildlife, this means: drinking, grazing, resting. For photographers, this means: golden light, reflections, and unique images of nature and culture together. Where else in the world does the water from a UNESCO World Heritage Site flow right through a village? While you enjoy coffee on the terrace of a local café, you see children swimming, donkeys drinking, and birds scouring in the reeds, all while safari vehicles depart in the background toward the Delta.
“The magic of water in a safari capital!”
When can the Maun Flood be experienced?
In years with a strong flood, such as 2025, the water usually reaches Maun between late May and mid-June. The exact timing varies each year and depends on rainfall in Angola and the water flow through the panhandle of the Delta. Do you want to experience it? Then June, July, and August are the months to be in Maun. For example, combine it with a fly-in safari in the Delta, and finish the trip with a few relaxing days by the water in Maun.
Botswana Specialist is on site!!
We are closely monitoring the Maun Flood 2025. Our colleagues in Maun share updates via social media and keep in touch with guides, lodges, and community members to know what is happening where. Follow the updates via MAUNFLOOD2025. Curious about how far the water is now? Or do you want to know if your trip coincides with the flood? Send us a message, we’d love to share it.
