Angola

The Angolan Highlands Water Tower, located in southeastern Angola, is the primary source of this system. More than 95% of the water that reaches the Okavango Delta originates here, falling as rain across a vast landscape of lakes, peatlands, rivers, and miombo woodlands.

This region has recently been recognised as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, highlighting its global significance for biodiversity, water security, and climate resilience.

Major rivers including the Cuito, Cuanavale, Cuando, and Lungue-Bungo transport water southwards, feeding a complex network of wetlands and floodplains that regulate the entire Okavango system.

Protecting this water tower is therefore critical not only for Angola, but for the long-term health of the Okavango, Kwando, and Zambezi river systems.

Watch the video: Introducing the Angolan Highlands Water Tower, narrated by Dr Steve Boyes here

BIODIVERSITY

The Okavango Basin is one of the most biodiverse regions in Southern Africa. While attention has often focused on the Delta, research in Angola’s highlands continues to reveal equally important and largely unexplored ecosystems upstream.

To date, NGOWP research has documented over 50 species new to science, with many more potentially undiscovered, highlighting how little of this landscape has yet been studied or formally protected.

BIRDS

The basin supports hundreds of bird species, including globally threatened populations. Ongoing surveys continue to expand regional knowledge, including new country records, range extensions, and important breeding populations such as the vulnerable wattled crane.

MAMMALS

Camera trap surveys in Angola’s source lake regions have confirmed the presence of key species including lion, leopard, cheetah, and the critically endangered African wild dog, significantly extending their known ranges.

Evidence also suggests that elephants are returning to these upper catchments. Protecting and restoring these habitats could help reconnect historic migration routes and reduce ecological pressure further downstream in Botswana.

PLANTS & ECOSYSTEMS

Botanical surveys have revealed numerous plant species new to science, alongside extensive peatland systems surrounding the source lakes.

These peatlands function as natural water and carbon stores, regulating river flow, buffering drought, and strengthening ecosystem resilience across the basin.

PEOPLE & COMMUNITIES

The Okavango Basin supports over a million people across Angola, Namibia, and Botswana. In Angola, our work focuses on communities living around the source lakes, where sustainable livelihoods are essential for long-term conservation success.

Through Projecto Lisima, we support community-led initiatives including regenerative agriculture, beekeeping, and natural resource management. Investments in training, solar energy, and social infrastructure help ensure that conservation delivers tangible benefits while strengthening stewardship of the landscape.