Moremi Game Reserve

Moremi Game Reserve is a premier wildlife destination in northern Botswana, protecting a stunning section of the Okavango Delta. Voted Africa’s “best game reserve” in 2008, it’s the only officially protected area of the Delta—a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Quick Facts

  • Size: 3,900–5,000 km²
  • Location: Eastern Okavango Delta, closest town is Maun (154 km away)
  • Established: 1965 (Africa’s first reserve created by local communities)
  • Unique Feature: The only reserve combining dry savanna, woodlands, and permanent waterways

Wildlife

A “Big Five” destination (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and reintroduced rhino). Also renowned for:

  • African Wild Dog (excellent sightings)
  • Hippo, giraffe, and red lechwe
  • Nearly 500 bird species (African fish eagle, Pel’s fishing owl)

Habitats

Diverse landscapes in one reserve:

  • Permanent floodplains & lagoons
  • Mopane woodlands & acacia forests
  • Open grasslands
  • Chief’s Island (prime predator-viewing area)

Activities

  • Game drives (4×4, no off-roading)
  • Mokoro (dugout canoe) trips – glide silently through waterways
  • Boat safaris (in lagoon areas)
  • Photography & birdwatching

⚠️ Note: No walking safaris, night drives, or off-road driving allowed inside the reserve.

Best Time to Visit

  • Dry Season (May–Oct): Peak wildlife viewing; animals gather at water sources. July–Oct is prime.
  • Green Season (Nov–Feb): Lush scenery, migratory birds, lower rates.
  • Shoulder (Mar–Apr & Nov): Good value with pleasant conditions.

Getting There

  • Fly: To Maun (MUB) via Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Windhoek, then a light charter into the reserve.
  • Self-Drive: 3–4 hours from Maun in a 4×4 vehicle (essential). Book campsites in advance—roads can be challenging in rain.

Accommodation

  • Luxury Tented Camps: Xakanaxa, Chief’s Camp, Camp Moremi.
  • Public Campsites: Rustic options like Third Bridge (reservations mandatory).

Key Tips

✔ Book 9–12 months ahead for dry-season stays.
✔ 4×4 vehicle is compulsory for self-drivers.
✔ Combine with Chobe National Park or Khwai Concession for extended safaris.
✔ The reserve reopened on 13 April 2026 after floods—check road conditions before travel.