The Moremi Wildlife Reserve is situated in the Eastern part of the Okavango Delta, bordering the Chobe National Park on the south-western part of the Park. The Moremi Game Reserve covers almost one third of the Delta. The Okavango Delta is the largest inland river delta in the world – 15 000 sp km. The Okavango Delta consists of pans, flood plains, open lagoons, water holes, grasslands, forests of acacia trees, parklands and dense Mopane Woodlands. This area houses a vast variety of mammal, bird, insect, plant, fish and reptile species, which have adapted to the swamp conditions.  Moremi Wildlife Reserve is a wilderness paradise with game viewing being good throughout the year.

The idea to create a game reserve was initiated in 1961 and was approved by the Batawana at a kgotla in 1963. The area was officially designated a game reserve in April 1965 and was initially run by the Fauna Conservation Society of Ngamiland. The reserve has since been extended to include Chief’s Island in 1976 and during 1979 the park was taken over The Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

Access to the Moremi Wildlife Reserve:

The Moremi Wildlife Reserve may be accessed by flying in or by road, and is open to visitors throughout the year. However, the road conditions may become difficult during a heavy rainy season and the park may be closed due to this. If visiting the park during this time, please confirm before travelling that the park is open for self drive visitors.

If driving, the reserve can be accessed from either the North or the South Gate roads.

If you are driving from Maun, you will travel in a North-Easterly direction along a tar road to Shorobe which is approximately 30 km out of Maun. Once you reach Shorobe, the road become gravel. You will come to a veterinary control fence, which is locally known as the buffalo fence. This fence was constructed to protect the cattle industry to the south from any diseases that may be carried by the wildlife. Once you are through the gate, you are in 4×4 territory and therefore a 4×4 vehicle is required due to the sandy track.

You will drive for some distance before there is a fork in the road. Take the left hand fork and you will drive through mopane and acacia woodland areas, interspersed by areas of open grassland. Please make sure you drive at a low speed, due to soft churning sand as well as being in a wildlife area and so game may be spotted.

99 Km from Maun, you will reach South Gate, which is the Southern entrance gate (Magwee) to the Moremi Game Reserve. Here you will also find a public camping site with ablution facilities.

Once inside the park, there is a choice of roads. A direct road of 30 km will take you to the Khwai area and onto North Gate, which is the Northern entrance gate. Here you will also find public camping sites with ablution facilities.

A long bridge constructed out of mopane poles forms the entrance to the Moremi Game Reserve for visitors arriving into the park from the North. This bridge rattles and shakes as vehicles pass over it – all part of the Botswana experience. Smaller bridges constructed in the same way can be seen throughout the park.

Another route to take from South Gate would be a 58 Km stretch in a North Westerly direction, through diverse scenery, across First Bridge and Second Bridge and onto Third Bridge. Here there is another camping site with ablution facilities. This area borders on the Delta and Mboma Island. During the dry season the game viewing is fantastic and there is a good chance of seeing cheetahs hunting in this area.

The river water that runs under this bridge looks crystal clear, cool and inviting. However it is most definitely not advisable to swim, due to crocodiles being in the water.

The third optional route to drive from South Gate, is the 42 km drive through mopane forest, to the Xakanaxa area of the Moremi Game Reserve. Once again you will find a public camping site with ablution facilites and which overlooks the edge of the Delta.

From Xakanaxa, you can drive to North Gate in Khwai, which is a 45km drive. Whilst driving this route, you will pass through a wonderful area known as Hippo Pools, which is 14km from North Gate, and which is in abundance of hippos.

It was quite close to this area where the Bugakhwe people used to have their village. However, due to the creation of the game reserve, the people were moved in 1963 near North Gate, where they are still today. This area is known as the Khwai Village. The village’s population consists of approximately 300 people and has a few basic supply stores.

Best time to visit the Moremi Wildlife Reserve:

Game viewing is best during the dry season months being July to October. This is when the seasonal pans dry up and the wildlife concentrates on the permanent water. These winter months (May to August) can get very cold at night, however, warm sunny skies during the day. From October time until the rains break, the day time temperatures can be extremely hot.

The Moremi Game Reserve is in a malaria area and therefore mosquitoes are prevalent throughout. It is advisable for visitors to visit their doctor before traveling in order to get the best advise on what anti-malarial prophylactic to take. This is especially important during the summer months, which is during our rainy season.

Water to drink should be boiled before drinking. Otherwise drink bottle mineral water.

Wildlife:

Birdlife is prolific in the area and the birds range from water birds to shy forest dwellers. Elephants are abundant and this is especially so during the dry season. Other wildlife to be expected are buffalo, giraffe, lions, cheetah, hyaena, wild dog, leopard, jackal, white rhino. Other plains game like kudu, zebra, impala, wildebeest etc are also found in the Moremi.

Note:

In order to visit the Moremi Game Reserve, you need a 4×4 vehicle. Please note that there are no petrol stations in the Reserve and so you need to make sure you have enough fuel for your stay within the park. The nearest petrol station is in Maun. Please also note that there are no grocery stores in the park and so you need to make sure you take all your food and drinks with your for your stay in the park.

Accommodation:

There are private camps within the Moremi Game Reserve, as well as outside the park. The camps/lodges offer accommodation on an all inclusive basis.

Examples of lodges within the Moremi Game Reserve:
Click on the lodge name for more info!

Camp Moremi
Xakanaxa Camp
Camp Okuti
Mombo Camp
Chiefs Camp
There are also public camping sites within the Moremi Game Reserve for the more adventurous traveler. All the public camp sites have ablution facilities and running water (not guaranteed though – please check before travelling). It is advisable to pre-book whether you would prefer to stay in a lodge or in a camp site.

Campsites inside the Moremi Wildlife Reserve:

North Gate Camp Site
South Gate Camp Site
Third Bridge Camp Site
Xakanaxa Camp Site

*Please note that reservations for public camping sites within the park must be made through the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.
Their contact details are as follows:
Maun office:
Tel:              (+267) 6861 265
Fax:  (+267) 6861 264

Gaborone office:
Tel:              (+267) 318 0774
Fax:  (+267) 318 0775

Campsites outside the Moremi Wildlife Reserve:
Santawani
Mankwe
Notes:

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When camping, please make sure you burn all litter that can be burnt.
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Litter that cannot be burnt, please take with you and deposit at the Wildlife Camp upon your exit, if possible.
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When having made a fire, please bury the ashes.
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When driving in a national park, please drive only on the tracks.
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Do not go off road.
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No night drives are permitted within a national park.
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Please camp only at designated campsites.
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Consideration for other peoples as well as for the environment should be of paramount concern.