Moremi Game Reserve is situated on the Eastern side of the Okavango Delta. In the West of Moremi, Chief's Island and its luxury lodges are available only as fly-in safaris because this area can't be self-driven. Visitors wanting to drive themselves around Moremi are restricted to the heart of the big game area where the Mopane Tongue meets the permanent water channels of the Okavango Delta. The habitat there ranges from Mopani woodlands to Acacia forests, Savanna grasslands, floodplains and waterways.
Moremi Came Reserve has a rather unique history. Proclaimed a reserve in 1963, it was named after Chief Moremi III of the local Batawana tribe from Ngamiland. Chief Moremi's widow - who was ruling the area at the time, took steps to conserve the wildlife due to her concern about the toll hunting was taking on the animal population. In the 1970's Chief Moremi's Royal Hunting Grounds were included into the Reserve to further expand it.
A wide variety of habitats means a diverse selection of wildlife can be found here while the permanent water of the Okavango Delta attracts huge amounts of game especially during the dry seasons. Moremi boasts the biggest concentration of endangered African wild dog in Botswana and both White and Black rhino have been reintroduced into the area. The reserve has an abundance of common game species and big herds of elephant and buffalo are often spotted. Prides of lion stealthily shadow the buffalo herds, waiting for their opportunity to pounce. In spring and throughout the summer months migratory birds arrive in their thousands to enhance the already spectacular community of resident birds. Mopani and Rain trees (Apple leaf) along with Lala Palms are just a few of the tree species gracefully overlooking the beautiful landscape.
An open-sided safari jeep has arrived to Moremi South Gate. |
99 kilometers is the distance from Moremi South Gate to the town of Maun. |
A huge truck with rangers has arrived to Moremi South Gate. |
An information board reads: “Welcome to Moremi Game Reserve, South Gate (Maqwee)”. |
The entrance arch of Moremi South Gate. |
A dead tree is at Moremi South Gate. |
A dead tree is behind the entrance arch of Moremi South Gate. |
Huge bones decorates Moremi South Gate. |
Please adhere to these rules for your safety and that of other visitors.
• No driving or entry will be allowed outside the prescribed opening hours for the Park or Reserves.
• Entry to the Park or Reserve is allowed by permit only: these permits are available at the Park or Reserve entrance gates or in advance from the Reservations Office.
• All groups are required to register at the entrance gates.
• Visitors may only camp in designated campsites.
• The maximum speed limit within a park or reserve is 40kph.
• Driving off the road is strictly prohibited.
• Visitors must not harass or feed the animals, as this can lead to human habituation and will result in the animal(s) being put down.
• Fires may only be lit in designated fireplaces.
• All litter must be placed in the bins where they have been provided for that purpose, except for combustibles, which may be burnt in a designated fireplace. Where no bins are provided, litter must be bagged and taken to the wildlife camp for disposal. Litter must never be buried.
• Removal of animals or plants (live or dead) is strictly prohibited.
• No dog or any other domesticated animal or bird is allowed within the Parks or Reserves.
• Firearms and any other form of weapons are strictly prohibited.
• Visitors are required to conduct themselves in a quiet and orderly manner at all times whilst within a protected area. Do not disturb any animal or person.
• Visitors may not drive in a park or reserve in a vehicle that does not offer adequate protection, nor may they ride on roof racks or other exterior parts of the vehicle.
• Visitors should be considerate of others by only spending a shorter time at predator sightings when there are other vehicles in the area that are waiting to view.
Arrows pointing directions to Khwai, Third Bridge and Xakanaxa are near Moremi South Gate. |
Trees and bushes. |
Southern ground hornbills. |
The southern ground hornbill “Bucorvus leadbeateri” is one of two species of ground hornbill and is the largest species of hornbill. |
A giraffe. |
A giraffe is eating green leaves. |
A giraffe is standing in full-length. |
Burchell's zebras. |
Three Burchell's zebras. |
Three Burchell's zebras and an Impala ram. |
An elephant. |
An elephant and a spotted hyena. |
An elephant is chasing a spotted hyena. |
An almost black elephant. |
A neck of a giraffe. |
A body of a giraffe. |
A head of a giraffe. |
A lovely head of a giraffe. |
A curious head of a giraffe. |
A scratched head of a giraffe. |
A bitten tail of a giraffe. |
A giraffe is eating green leaves with its legs apart. |
A giraffe has found something in the ground with its legs apart. |
A giraffe with its legs apart. |
Botswana has a sunny climate and there are long periods without a single cloud in the sky. We recommend the dry winter months as the best time to visit, as the weather is not too hot and the game concentrates around a diminishing water supply.
A rear side of a giraffe with its legs apart. |
Hippos are in a swamp. |
This swamp with hippos is located here: -19.456701, 23.512635. |
A big hippo is looking at me with a curiosity. |
Hairy muzzles of hippopotamuses. |
Birds feast on ticks on the back of a hippopotamus. |
A bird and a hippo share a mutually beneficial relationship. |
A bird helps to free a hippo from ticks and other parasites. |
Grazing hippos. |
Grazing hippopotamuses. |
Hippopotamuses are grazing in a swamp. |
A muzzle of a hippopotamus. |
A lake is full of hippopotamuses. |
Two hippopotamuses. |
The hippopotamus prefers such kinds of lakes. |
Hippopotamuses. |
Hippopotamuses are very curious. |
Hippo yawn. |
Hippopotamus is yawning. |
A hippo opens his mouth wide in a leisurely yawn. |
Hippos. |
A front wheel of the Toyota Hilux 4x4 got stuck in a small pit. |
A beautiful landscape in the Okavango swamps. |
An elephant is grazing in the Okavango swamps. |
A mighty elephant. |
A giraffe is standing with its legs apart. |
Two giraffes. |
A giraffe with a bird on its chest. |
A bird is sitting on a chest of a giraffe. |
A zeal of Burchell's zebras. |
A dazzle of Burchell's zebras. |
A pair of adult ostriches are wandering with their chicks. |
Common warthogs. |
Warthogs. |
A warthog with an amazing blue mane. |
A funny muzzle of a warthog. |
Yellow-billed kite. |
Elephants. |
Two elephants. |
The Egyptian goose “Alopochen aegyptiaca” is a member of the duck, goose, and swan family Anatidae. |
Two Egyptian geese. |
The Hottentot teal “Spatula hottentota” is a species of dabbling duck of the genus Spatula. |
Egyptian geese. |
A purple heron. |
A flight of a purple heron. |
An elephant is eating green leaves. |
A saddle-billed stork, a glossy ibis and white-faced whistling ducks are in the Okavango swamps. |
A saddle-billed stork, a glossy ibis and white-faced whistling ducks. |
A saddle-billed stork. |
The saddle-billed stork is a large wading bird in the stork family, Ciconiidae. |
A southern reedbuck. |
Southern reedbucks. |
Red lechwes and elephants. |
An african buffalo is pooping. |
An african buffalo has just pooped. |
An african buffalo. |
An african buffalo is dangerously looking at me. |
African buffaloes are very horned. |
Three African buffaloes. |
African buffaloes. |
The rear sides of the African buffaloes are smeared with manure. |
The heads of hippos are over the water. |
The heads and ears of hippos. |
The heads and ears of hippos are in the water. |
Two hippos are grazing on the lawn. |
Five hippos are grazing on the green lawn. |
A bloat of hippos is grazing on the green lawn. |
A weird campground is located at the following geo coordinates: -19.375328, 23.501748. |
A leopard tortoise. |
The leopard tortoise “Stigmochelys pardalis” is an attractively marked tortoise. |
A male greater kudu. |
A rear side of a male greater kudu. |
A female greater kudu. |
A female greater kudu is wonderful. |
Female greater kudus reach sexual maturity at 15-21 months. |
These outbuildings belong to Third Bridge Campground. |
Third Bridge Tuck Shop. |
This water tower belongs to Third Bridge Campground. |
The entrance arch of Third Bridge Campground. |
Tented Camp “Eagle” is located in Third Bridge Campground. |
This tree was kindly provided to us by the man with the name “Zero” in Third Bridge Campground. |
Tented Camps “Hyena”, “Kudu” and “Hippo” are located in Third Bridge Campground. |
Tented Camp “Lion” is located in Third Bridge Campground. |
This arch leads to Third Bridge Campground. |
The Nissan NP300 Hardbody belongs to the vehicle park of Third Bridge Campground. |
This landscape surrounds the reception of Third Bridge Campground. |
The information board reads: “Welcome to Moremi Game Reserve Third Bridge”. |
The building with the shower rooms and restrooms of Third Bridge Campground. |
There is a wide range of accommodation available to suit every taste and budget. Luxury lodges on Chief's Island and in the Okavango Delta pamper guests beyond expectations. In Moremi Game Reserve there are a few luxury lodges at Xakanaxa in addition to four public campsites for self-drive visitors at South Gate, Third Bridge Camp, Xakanaxa and Khwai Gate. The campsites are basic, providing only a braai stand and ablution facilities.
My clothes drying in the open field. |
The Toyota Hilux 4x4 is under the tree in Third Bridge Campground. |
This night we will sleep in the roof top tents of the Toyota Hilux 4x4 in Third Bridge Campground. |
There is Boat Safaris station in Third Bridge Campground. |
South Gate (Maqwee) camp, operated by Kwalate Safaris, is surrounded by Mopane woodlands. Lying at the southern entrance to the Park it has nine campsites. Third Bridge Camp, operated by Xomae Sites, is on the edge of the Delta. Most of the nine campsites are under shady trees and there are six safari tents as well. Xakanaxa, also operated by Kwalate Safaris, is situated on the edge of the Xakanaxa Lagoon and has 10 shady campsites. Khwai Camp, next to Khwai Gate and on the banks of the Khwai River has 10 campsites and is operated by SKL (Savuti, Khwai and Linyanti) Camps. There are booking agents available at the gates and reception offices but we strongly suggest that you make your bookings before leaving home as there are a limited number of campsites available and the Reserve is very popular, especially during the dry winter months.
On the northern banks of the Khwai River there are concession areas with a few luxury lodges plus the Khwai Community Campsite at Mogotlho. This area is a prime game-viewing area and well worth visitng, but if you are camping there you have to be completely self-sufficient as there are no facilities at all.
Moremi Game Reserve has a wide network of game-drives to choose from. We suggest you ask at the reception for the best routes, or ask other travellers what they have spotted and on which road. Khwai Community Trust also has plenty of game-drive routes available. Moremi Game Reserve is not a huge park and it is possible to cover a substantial section of the park in a single day.
These boats, located in Third Bridge Campground, belong to the Xomae Group. |
An African swamphen. |
The African swamphen “Porphyrio madagascariensis” is found in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique. |
An African swamphen “Porphyrio madagascariensis”. |
A lechwe. |
Papyrus growing wild in the Okavango swamps. |
Cyperus papyrus. |
It was raining in the time of the boat trip. |
The coppery-tailed coucal is a species of cuckoo. |
The coppery-tailed coucal “Centropus cupreicaudus” is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. |
This is a view in front of the boat. |
A tree grows in the water. |
Tranquil waters in the Okavango swamps. |
A big bird is barely seen in the far distance. |
A tiny crocodile hatchling is swimming. |
A tiny crocodile hatchling. |
A tiny crocodile hatchling is looking around. |
A head of a tiny crocodile hatchling. |
This narrow river is a place where female crocodiles lay eggs. |
A crocodile hatchling is hiding under the water. |
A crocodile hatchling. |
Okavango swamps. |
Just beautiful landscape. |
An Elephant is walking in front of the boat. |
An Elephant is in the narrow river. |
The pied kingfisher “Ceryle rudis” is a water kingfisher. |
A pied kingfisher. |
A flight of a pied kingfisher. |
The rain is over. |
A boat is docked at Third Bridge Campground. |
Third Bridge Campground offers boat trips. |
We finished the Third Bridge Campground boat trip and are ready to travel further. |
Third Bridge Campground boat station. |
Big trees grow at Third Bridge Campground. |
The large puddle located just before the bridge at Third Bridge Campground should be overcome. |
The road sign located before the large puddle at the Third Bridge reads: “Do Not Speed Over Bridge”. |
Roads in Moremi Game Reserve change dramatically depending upon the season and the water level of the Delta. When the flood waters are high some of the roads are waterlogged while sandy areas which are much harder to navigate during the hot summer months. We have indicated on the map some of the more difficult roads to drive - please take note of these. Moremi Game Reserve is a low impact park, which means that there are few vehicles and people around. This is great for game viewing as you are often alone at a sighting, but it also means that help isn't readily available away from the main roads. Ensure you have a sufficient recovery kit and know how to use it, and you'll need a snorkel on your vehicle for water crossings. If you are driving a rental vehicle, double check the rental company's rules and regulation regarding driving through water.
A pile of fresh manure is on green grass at Third Bridge Campground. |
A monkey is in the bush at Third Bridge Campground. |
A monkey. |
Black-winged stilts. |
The black-winged stilt “Himantopus himantopus” is a widely distributed very long-legged wader in the avocet and stilt family. |
A female herd of the impala. |
Female impalas. |
A coppery-tailed coucal. |
The coppery-tailed coucal has a black head, white underparts, a brown rump with a coppery-sheen and a blackish-brown tail. |
A forest and a lake. |
A hippo is yawning. |
A hippopotamus is yawning. |
Huge hippopotamuses. |
A gigantic hippopotamus. |
Lovely hippopotamuses. |
A lake is full of hippopotamuses. |
Pink-backed pelicans. |
We lost the number plate somewhere. |
A male greater kudu is awesome. |
Predators of the greater kudu generally consist of lions, hyenas, and hunting dogs. |
A male greater kudu with a bird on his neck. |
A male greater kudu is amazing. |
A herd of Burchell's zebras. |
Elephants and hippos. |
The reserve has two main access roads - one from Maun entering at South Gate, the other from the north past Mababe village into the reserve through Khwai Gate, which you will also use to enter the reserve if you are coming down from Chobe National Park. The road from Maun is tarred for the first 60km after which there is a decent gravel road. Beware of sandy pockets on the road especially during high season when traffic is heavier. Always drive slowly, keeping an eye out for wildlife. You may encounter herds of elephant I on the road as you approach the gate. The road from Mababe Gate to Khwai Gate is in good condition.
Hippos and birds. |
This shop is situated in the village of Mababe. |
A guy helped us with the petrol in the village of Mababe. |
A Toyota Land Cruiser pickup truck is in the village of Mababe. |
Fuel is only available at Maun, south of Moremi or at Kasane in the north towards Chobe. There is a filling station under construction close to Ngoma Gate, but no confirmed opening date at time of printing, 2017. Third Bridge Camp does have a very useful spaza shop but it is advisable to stock up with groceries in Maun, particularly fresh produce. There are a few small shops at Khwai Village selling a limited range of goods.
Trips in mokoro canoes from the boat station at Mboma Island are a favourite activity as are boat rides from either Mboma Island, Third Bridge Camp or Xakanaxa camp - when the water level is high enough. Third Bridge Camp offers game-drives with a guide as well. The lodges have a range of activities including boat and mokoro trips as well as game-drives, bush walks and other goings-on.
Moremi is a malaria area so please consult your doctor before travelling, and we recommend that you bring sufficient bottled water for drinking and cooking. Be alert if walking at night inside the campsites - the camps are not fenced and animals wander through. Monkeys and baboons are a problem at the campsites and can be dangerous - so keep all food stored tightly away.
The Moremi Game Reserve Map is a user-friendly map of Moremi Game Reserve and surrounding area. This guide is so much more than a chart - we've included loads of information and advice on what to do and where to go during your visit. We travelled each road in and around the Park, noting the GPS positions of all the roads, visited every establishment and took part in all the available activities to ensure that this guide contains an accurate map and information. At the back of the book are identification check lists to all the mammals in the park as well as the more than 500 birds found in Botswana.
The front cover of the Moremi Game Reserve tourist map. |
The tourist map: “General Info” (pages 1-2). |
The tourist map: “Botswana Map” (pages 3-4). |
The tourist map: “History, Roads, Campsites, Activities, Fuel” (pages 5-6). |
The tourist map: “Maun - Accommodation, Activities, ATMs” (pages 7-8). |
The tourist map: “South Gate, Black Pools, Mogogelo” (pages 9-10). |
The tourist map: “Xini Lagoon, Bodumatau Lagoon” (pages 11-12). |
The tourist map: “First to Fourth Bridge, Bodumantau Lagoon” (pages 13-14). |
The tourist map: “Xakanaxa, Third Bridge, Paradise Pools, Dead Tree Island” (pages 15-16). |
The tourist map: “Xakanaxa, Third Bridge, Mboma, Dead Tree, Marula Islands” (pages 17-18). |
The tourist map: “Khwai, North Gate - Dombo Hippo Pools” (pages 19-20). |
The tourist map: “Khwai, Magotho, Sable Alley, Matswere Campsites” (pages 21-22). |
The tourist map: “Botswana Mammals” (pages 29-30). |
The tourist map: “Small Mammals, Snakes” (pages 31-32). |
The tourist map: “Botswana Birds” (pages 33-34). |
The tourist map: “Botswana Birds” (pages 35-36). |
The tourist map: “Botswana Birds” (pages 37-38). |
The tourist map: “Botswana Birds” (pages 39-40). |
The tourist map: “Botswana Birds” (pages 41-42). |
The back cover of the Moremi Game Reserve tourist map. |