Underwater Okavango

“Underwater Okavango” takes us on a journey through the rich diversity of animal and plant life that thrives in the pristine waterways of northern Botswana, an area which boasts a biodiversity and animal intensity that surpasses any otherfreshwater system.

From swollen rivers full ofspawning bream to crystal-clear, lily-laden lagoons full of neon-colored fish, the underwater world of the Okavango Delta has never been explored and documented for a reason: It is home to one of the highest concentrations of big Nile crocodiles and hippopotami in the world. These two creatures vie forthe title of the most dangerous in Africa and getting past them is a task not to be taken lightly.

Underwater cameraman Brad Bestelink has lived in the okavango Delta all his life and has spent many years exploring the complex system of channels and lagoons. His experience has enabled him to pioneer the art of diving in the company of crocodiles in relative safety, making “Underwater Okavango” the most comprehensive study of the delta’s freshwater inhabitants.

Predatory tigerfish, the African equivalent of the piranha, cruise the open waters in large shoals while brightly coloured bream and catfish stick close to the bottom, ever alert to the threat of the crocodiles. Papyrus caves full of strange and exotic creatures line the banks of the delta while exquisite plant life sways to the rhythm of the cold water currents.

Filmed over the past two years in stunning HD, “Underwater Okavango” is a feast of colour and diversity, illuminating the rarely seen world of one of Africa’s most stunning natural ecosystems.