Covering about one third of the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve is undoubtedly one of the top wildlife destinations in Africa. It is completely buffered by wildlife management areas and consists of permanent swamp, seasonal swamp areas and dry land. All the lodges are luxury camps with en-suite tents.
Bordering Chobe National Park in the north-east, the bulk of Moremi Game Reserve consists of the Okavango Delta itself. The reserve is famous for its variety and beauty and has a great diversity of plant and animal life which are seen against contrasting backgrounds of dry areas and areas of permanent water. Leopards roam in thickly wooded areas and birds, of which there are nearly 500 different species, are attracted to lagoons. Giraffe, buffalo, various antelope including the red lechwe, hyena, cheetah, lion and wild dog all exist in the reserve.
These animals can be viewed on game drives or bush walks or on board a mokoro, a locally made, dug-out canoe which is poled along by your guide. Between July and October, during the dry season, game viewing is at its peak as animals search for permanent water. Due to Botswana’s eco-tourism policy of high-yield and low impact, wildlife can be viewed in Africa’s natural splendour.
There are many interesting sights in and near the Reserve. At the northern Khwai entrance, visitors will enter the park on a rickety bridge constructed out of mopane poles. There are smaller bridges similar to this one in other areas of the Reserve. A few kilometres from this gate is Hippo Pool, fittingly named after the abundance of hippos that lounge in this area. The hippos are best viewed from an observation platform overlooking the pool. Nearby, Khwai village is home to about 300 villagers, some of whom sell attractive basketwork to tourists. The Third Bridge gate is known for having heavy concentrations of wildlife during the dry season and visitors regularly spot crocodiles lurking in the clear water below.
Camps that provide game drives and boat excursions:
Xakanaxa Camp, Camp Moremi, Chief’s Island Camp, Xigera Camp.
Camps that provide game drives only:
Khwai River Lodge, Mombo Camp, Little Mombo Camp.