Moremi

Introduction

Covering 5,000 km² and covering 30% of the deep heartland of the Okavango Delta, from the air the game reserve takes the form of a scenic puzzle, a rich mosaic of land and water landscapes. Early travellers to Moremi nicknamed the region as a ‘country full of rivers’ as palm tree islets, extensive floodplains and flat savannah grasslands are all interlinked with rivers, lily lagoons and meandering watercourses. Famed for its rich biodiversity spectacles, Moremi is home to great herds of antelope and elephant, along with attracting prides of lion and leopard, making game viewing exceptional. Many bush guides are descendants of the Bayei people who have a history in the area of over 400 years; their innate understanding and knowledge of the region and wildlife is second to none.

Home to some of Africa’s most diverse and rich ecosystems, Moremi consists of over 1,000 species of plant including ‘cathedral’ mopane woodlands, riparian forests and dense papyrus reed thickets lining meandering channels. Such variety supports a range of wildlife and unlike most of Botswana, all of the Big 5 since Rhino were reintroduced. Elephant and buffalo reside throughout the year, along with blue wildebeest, a wide range of antelope species, giraffe, baboons and vervet monkey. Lion, leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena feature in large numbers, along with some of Botswana greatest populations of wild dog and unusually high numbers of mongoose.

With over 400 bird species, Moremi is a birdwatchers haven for rare wetland species, including the slaty egret in shallow, reedy backwaters. Wattled cranes, brown firefinches, coppery-tailed coucal and pink-throated longclaw are amongst a range of others.

Numerous activities are on offer however they are highly variable and differ depending on water levels. Boat and mokoro trips rely on sufficiently high water levels after the rains, whereas game drives cannot occur when the ground in muddy and saturated. Walking, off road and night vehicle safaris are not permitted.

Khwai Community Concession – Khwai Tented Camp

Located in north-east Moremi, this area is renowned for its striking beauty and prolific wildlife. The Khwai channel is home to hippo and crocodile, with red lechwe grazing nearby and migratory buffalo and elephant herds every year. During the dry season, wildlife is at its peak, with frequent sightings of leopard in the mixed areas of broken woodlands and open expanses. Khwai is one of the best places in the Okavango to witness the elusive roan antelope which come down to the Khwai River to drink along with an excellent diversity of predator and prey species. Birdlife is just as extensive as martial and bateleur eagles perched on the tops of trees are among a few of the many raptor species that inhabit the area, along with the relatively rare Verreaux’s Eagle Owl. The predominant form of activity in Khwai is exclusively game drives as walking and night drives are forbidden by park rules and the waterways are too narrow and shallow for water-based excursions. Several camps offer trips to local villages where tourists can see examples of basket weaving, jewellery making, and the local cultures.

Xakanaxa Community Concession – Xakanaxa  Camp, Camp Moremi, Okuti

Situated in the heart of Moremi and characterized by a maze of channels, lagoons, floodplains and islands, this area is phenomenally beautiful. This is one of Africa’s most reliable locations for wildlife sightings as extraordinary densities of both animals and birds reside. Leopard and cheetah are regularly spotted, along with many species of antelope. Water activities have become more available in recent years, which include boat trips and mokoro excursions onto the lagoons and waterways.

Mombo Private Concession – Mombo Camp, Little Mombo

In this picturesque area of papyrus swamps, floodplains and wooded islands fringed by date palms are some fantastic big game viewing opportunities. Giraffe, zebra, elephant and buffalo are all widespread however the area is unique to having the Okavango Delta’s only white and black rhino. Predator sightings of spotted hyena, lion and cheetah effectively guaranteed, with leopards best viewed towards the end of the day. Warthog numbers are abnormally high as are white backed, hooded and lappet-faced vultures. Nocturnal honey badgers, springhares and porcupines are often sighted around the camps at night. The dry season is the most obvious time to visit this area of Moremi, however when the floods arrive, 70% of road networks become submerged so mokoro trips commence. Night drives and off road driving is prohibited.

When To Visit

The dry season (April to October) is regarded as the best time to view wildlife and participate in a range of water-based activities. The weather is more agreeable and visibility is at its best.

January to April: January through to March are the peak birthing months of antelope and frogs. By April, the annual floods arrive so the delta begins to fill up with rainwater, turning the area lush green with an abundance of wildflowers. Water activities become easier and more widespread by the end of April.

May and June: These months mark the transition from the warm wet summer to the cool dry winter. This is the start of peak season as animals begin to congregate around permanent waterholes and visibility is enhanced as foliage is reduced. The floods have transformed the landscape into a water wonderland allowing wider exploration by mekoro. Game begins to cluster near woodlands and the floodplain edge.

July to October: The dry season. Late June and July are regarded as the peak months to visit as there is no rain and water levels in the centre of the delta reach its peak. Game is clustered around woodlands and the floodplain edge during July and August. Nutritious grasses attract grazers to the floodplains by September along with lion and hyena. By October, much of the Okavango’s pastures have dried out along with narrow channels which hinder the possibility of boat and mekoro excursions from taking place. Therefore, game viewing gets better as the dry season progresses, mainly around the edges of the delta when animals largely migrate away from the dry central delta areas towards water.

November and December: As a result of the harsh climate in October and November, waterways dry out so they take on the appearance of footpaths. During this time, animals largely migrate to nutritious grasses on the edge of the floodplain and woodlands within the Okavango and Moremi Game Reserve. From December, lush summer scenes of migrant birds in full breeding plumage and breeding frogs feature. This is the beginning of the birthing season for antelope.

Temperature & Rainfall

Climate Data Moremi