Moremi Game Reserve protects the interior of the Okavango Delta, and was established in 1962 when the local BaTwana people set aside a third of the area with the idea to protect the wilderness for the future.  They called this area, the Moremi Game Reserve, and it encompasses a vast area of the Delta’s wetlands in addition to the main dry peninsula that extends into the Delta, known as the Mopane Tongue.

There are several safari camps built within Moremi Game Reserve.  However, most of the Okavango’s small safari camps and lodges can be found outside this area, in their own private wildlife reserves.

Moremi Game Reserve is essentially a patchwork of lagoons, shallow flooded pans, plains and forests.  Moremi Game Reserve is lush and teems with wildlife.  It is one of Africa’s best areas for wildlife with extremely high game densities.  The wildlife here is relaxed, thus allowing vehicles to approach closely without much concern.

Perhaps Moremi Game Reserve’s most excellent area is Chief’s Island, home to a handful of Botswana’s top safari camps.  Nevertheless, there are several key areas on the periphery of the Mopane Tongue where the land meets the Okavango’s permanent waters, which can also be reached with a mobile safari, including the Khwai River area, Xakanaxa Lagoon, and Third Bridge.

Safari camps within Moremi Game Reserve include:

• Mombo Camp
• Little Mombo
• Chief’s Camp
• Xigera
• Xakanaxa Lagoon
• Camp Moremi
• Xakanaxa
• Camp Okuti

Areas within Moremi Game Reserve:

Chief’s Island

Most visitors to the Okavango Delta are surprised to learn that many areas within are largely dry.  Chief’s Island (although a section of the larger Moremi Game Reserve, Chief’s Island is entirely private) is immense and was once the royal hunting reserve of Chief Moremi, the traditional leader of local tribes.  He was the first to propose this area be supplemented as a game reserve in the 1970’s , and with his vision –which was way beyond his time –set the motion for creating one of the regions greatest areas for wildlife safaris.  Camps here adhere by the national park rules on walking and driving at night.

Khwai River

The Khwai River is located on the northeastern tip of the Moremi Game Reserve; the area is pleasant with towering evergreen trees lining the wide floodplain.  It is home to brilliant diversity of predator and prey species.  Large prides of lion hunt buffalo and elephant, and leopard sightings are common.  Birding is also exceptional.

Xakanxa Lagoon

In the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve, at the tip of the Mopane Tongue, mopane forests meet a patchwork of deep waterways and shallow flooded depressions.  The environment is beautiful and filled with wildlife.  Leopard and cheetah sightings are common and the density of antelope (ungulate) is overwhelming.  Birding is also amazing – herons, egrets, storks, waders, harriers, buzzards, etc.

Third Bridge

Within driving distance from Xakanaxa, Third Bridge is positioned on an island with pockets of bush and open plains.  There are campsites for mobile safaris and a plethora of wildlife.  On the boundary of the land and water areas of Moremi Game Reserve, mobile safaris can easily organize boat trips, and/or overnight sleep excursions on the islands.

South Gate

South Gate is a campsite that is popularly used by mobile safaris and is located at the southern entrance to Moremi Game Reserve.  Located just outside the Moremi Game Reserve, that area is home to acacia trees that attract large concentrations of game, including herds of giraffe.

If you’re planning a Moremi Game Reserve Safari don’t hesitate to contact us to find the hottest deals in Botswana!