Which African wetland is the world’s largest inland river delta?

The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland river delta.

It forms where the Okavango River spreads across the sands of northern Botswana instead of flowing into an ocean. The delta’s seasonal flooding usually arrives during Botswana’s dry winter, creating a striking contrast between abundant water and surrounding semi-arid landscapes.

The wetland covers about 15,000 square kilometres during peak flooding, although its size changes with seasonal conditions. Channels, lagoons, floodplains, and islands support elephants, lions, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.

Unlike most major deltas, the Okavango loses much of its water through evaporation and plant transpiration. UNESCO added the Okavango Delta to its World Heritage List in 2014. The Niger Delta is a coastal delta in Nigeria, while the Inner Niger Delta is an inland floodplain in Mali.