The Moremi Game Reserve is considered by many wildlife enthusiasts as one of Africa's most outstanding wildlife sanctuarys. It covers an area of some 4,871 km², a considerable section of the Okavango Delta and is specifically situated in the central and north-eastern regions of the Delta.

In 1963 the local BaTawana people set aside one third of the Delta to protect it for future generations. It was named after Chief Moremi and was established to protect their wildlife from being decimated by hunters, a remarkable achievement by any standards. It consists of an impressive variety of habitats that support enormous concentrations of wildlife, including one of the largest populations of the endangered African wild dog. As recently as 1992 the Xigera concession situated to the west of Chief's Island was added to the the Moremi Reserve.

Accommodation in the Moremi Reserve tends to be either rustic campsites or high end exclusive fly-in lodges.

Mopane tree canopies dominate the dry lands of the Moremi and the remainder of the reserve is a combination of floodplain grasses, sandveld, riverine woodland, as well as areas of permanent delta. As the animals found here are both numerous and somewhat more relaxed by safety in numbers, vehicles often approach quite closely, especially as the fear of hunting is a nightmare of the past.

Part of any adventure in Botswana is the journey itself. Most of Moremi is only accessible by fly-in and transfer by boat or road to a luxury camp, either on the fringes of the reserve or on Chief's Island. But there are several 'prime areas' on the edge of the Mopane Tongue as well, a dry peninsula found to the west of the reserve. This region is where land meets the Okavango's permanent waters and includes Khwai River, Xakanaxa Lagoon and Third Bridge; these destinations can be reached by 4x4 vehicle, but is not to be attempted by standard vehicle. However, the road conditions may become difficult during a heavy rainy season and the park may be closed due to this. Access by land is from either the North or the South Gate roads.

There are no shops or petrol stations in the Moremi reserve, so take enough fuel/rations for your stay within the park. The nearest grocery stores and fuel pumps are in Maun.

When to visit:

The dry season and in particular from July – October is the best time to visit Moremi Game Reserve, as game viewing is at its peak. At this time seasonal pans dry up and the wildlife concentrates on the permanent water. The winter months of May - August can be surprisingly very cold at night, but pleasantly warm during the day. From October until the rains come in late November or early December, the weather can be extremely hot - both day and night.

Wildlife:

Elephants are abundant in Moremi, especially during the dry season. Expect to see buffalo, giraffe, lions, cheetah, hyena, leopard, jackal and white rhino. Plains game such as kudu, zebra, impala and wildebeest are also prevalent here. The red lechwe is rarely found more than 2 or 3 km from permanent water and after the sitatunga, is the most water loving antelope.

The rapidly dwindling African wild dog, are regularly sighted in the Moremi and having been subject to a conservation project being run since 1989, they are often seen wearing research collars. It is claimed that some 30% of all living African wild dog are contained in the Moremi Game Reserve.

Main areas of Moremi Game Reserve:

Chief's Island:

Many areas of the Okavango Delta are largely dry including Chief's Island, arguably the Okavango's most famous isle. It was once the royal hunting reserve of Chief Moremi, the traditional leader of the local tribes and he donated it as a supplement to the Moremi Game Reserve and it was included in 1976. It is now one of the region's best locations for spectacular wildlife viewing and although part of the Moremi Game Reserve, Chief's Island is private. There are a number of Botswana's top safari camps located here and the National Park's rules on walking and driving at night, are paramount.

At the top end, the Mombo Concession is the first part of dry land that the flood waters reach in the greater Okavango region. Most of the nutrients carried by the water are deposited here and this results in vegetation for rich grazing and browsing for wildlife. These nutritious grass plains support herbivores in large numbers and associated high population of predators

The Khwai River:

The Khwai River is a picturesque region characterized by tall evergreen trees lining a wide floodplain. It is situated on the north-eastern tip of Moremi Game Reserve, and speaks proudly of the superb consistency and distinctive species of predator and prey. A large pride of lion are currently hunting buffalo and elephant, whilst leopard sightings are steady. Birdlife such as saddle-billed storks, wattled cranes, and many species of kingfishers and bee-eaters are common.

Xakanaxa Lagoon:

The Xakanaxa Lagoon lies at the tip of the Mopane Tongue, where substantial mopane forests and a system of deep waterways and shallow flooded areas come together. It is where desert meets the Delta. The striking scenery is packed with game and leopard are seen frequently, even though they are well-camouflaged, solitary and shy. This lagoon is also a place to head to find the African wild dog and the sheer density of antelope is staggering. Exceptional and varied birdlife is the order of the day at Xakanaxa Lagoon, renowned for the breeding colonies of birds that congregate on its tree islands. Seasonal sightings include innumerable herons, egrets and storks and other waders, to the many species of sparrow hawks, buzzards and kites.

Third Bridge:

A short drive from Xakanaxa Lagoon, and therefore also in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve is Third Bridge. This area is positioned on an island with substantial amounts of thickets, in addition to a number of large, open plains. Campsites are at hand for mobile safaris, and the combination of unfenced bivouac sites and wandering wildlife, make for some close encounters between man and beast. All of the public campsites have ablution facilities and running water. (Not guaranteed though!). Third Bridge's boundary of land and water, make it an ideal destination to combine vehicle and boat trips, or for the more adventurous, an 'island sleep over!'