In Botswana: a delta in the middle of the desert

It’s the third longest river in southern Africa, flowing for nearly 1,800 kilometres, and then suddenly, there’s nothing! The Okavango does not flow into the sea but disappears in the middle of the ground as if it evaporated. But it is nothing like an ordinary river: its famous delta is as large as Brittany, worthy of a river whose imposing flood lasts for several months a year. And in these arid regions of Botswana irrigated by the Okavango before it disappears, life can flourish in all its wonderful diversity: elephants, hippos, antelopes, warthogs, crocodiles and other birds abound there in a unique setting in the world.

It is this specific unique setting that interests the Botswanan and French scientists who are closely studying the region from all angles, trying to measure the changes and understand the dynamics. Because here, like elsewhere, climate change is threatening to destroy the delicate balance… To coincide with the publication of Journal du CNRS No. 310, which features an enthralling article about this unusual region, you can explore it in pictures through photo and video reports recently made and available on our website.