Moremi National Reserve

Overview

The Moremi Game Reserve encompasses a large area of the Okavango Delta’s wetlands and the main dry peninsula that juts into the Delta known as the Mopane Tongue. The Moremi reserve is what made the Okavango Delta so famous, as it is home to fantastic wildlife and an impressive collection of bird species. A safari to Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana takes visitors to a magical Big 5 safari luxury destination where wildlife, birds and plants thrive in a mosaic of open grasslands, isolated island sanctuaries, shallow flooded pans, lily lagoons, acacia trees, savannahs, dense mopane woodland, plains and forests. It is one of Africa’s finest areas for wildlife, with particularly high game densities and offers a unique safari landscape and unforgettable authentic experiences. Moremi is home to nearly 500 species of birds (from water birds to forest dwellers) and a vast array of other species of wildlife, including buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, jackal, impala and African wild dogs.

The unique ecosystem characteristic of the Okavango Delta, allows for a diverse spectrum of wildlife results in huge concentrations of wildlife and birds. In the dry season, large herds of elephants, buffalo, wildebeest and zebra come into the reserve from the dry Kalahari Desert in search of food and water. The reserve is home to over 400 bird species including African fish eagle, crested crane, and sacred ibis. The Moremi and the Okavango Delta is one of the few interior delta systems that do not directly flow into the ocean or sea. The Okavango River acts as the lifeline of the Okavango Delta and the Moremi Game Reserve. Coming all the way from the Angola Mountains, 1,600 km further west, it flows deep into Botswana seeking the Indian Ocean. Luckily for the wildlife in Botswana, these fresh, clear waters never actually find the ocean, as they sink in the dry sand of the Kalahari Desert. But before that happens, it creates the largest oasis in Africa

The Reserve is one of the most accessible corners of the Okavango Delta, with well-maintained trails and accommodation that ranges from luxury to public campsites for self-drivers. A safari to Moremi can be combined with a few nights in the Chobe National Park for an all-round Botswana experience

 

Best time to visit

Moremi can certainly be considered a year round destination, as there are always areas that provide incredible wildlife experience. However, for those wanting to view the Okavango at its highest levels – the late dry season of September/October is the best time to travel. This time of the year is also considered the best time for game viewing due to the animals concentrating along waterways.