Moremi Game Reserve

Moremi Game Reserve

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Moremi Game Reserve is part of the Okavango Delta NP, probably the most accessible one. You can enter from either North Gate (Khwai, close to Mababe) or South Gate (via Shorobe from Maun). The map we purchased was the Shell Map of the Moremi Game Reserve, and we found it really useful, together with Tracks4Africa. Another possibility is Tinkers Moremi Game Reserve Tourist Map, but they did not have it.

We spent 3 nights camping at Khwai Safari Grounds, on the amazing Mbudi river. Driving in Moremi was easier than Savuti, but keep in mind you can still have sand and water crossings. Ask the gate personnel for guidelines, in our case the park ranger told us to avoid taking alternative routes because the water crossings in these routes are filled with mud, and that is how you can get stuck. In effect, we passed twice the 3 same water crossings on the main road and we had no problems, whereas other tourists we met took an alternative path and got stuck in mud.

After our drive from Maun through the transit road (in really bad condition), we spent the afternoon in the Khwai Concession, which is great. In Khwai, you can find a small shop with some commodities. The following morning we did a Mokoro ride, which I highly suggest. In Moremi, just like in Chobe, I would suggest you reserve at least one game drive.

The first afternoon we stayed in the Khwai plains until Dombo Hippo Pools, whereas the second day we drove to Third Bridge, passing through Xakanaxa. It is in this route that we had to pass the 3 water crossings.

The last day we drove from North Gate to South Gate and then to Maun; different routes are available, with the shortest one being 29 km and 1 hour long. The alternative is reaching Xakanaxa and descending, otherwise passing through Fourth, Third, Second and First Bridge (the longest option). While we were there, Second Bridge could not be used, so before deciding which route to take, ask at the park entrance.

If you plan in advance you can try to find a spot in the campsites inside the parks, being Khwai Camp SIte, Xakanaxa camping site, Third Bridge camp site, and South Gate camp site. Other accomodation inside the parks are available, but they are lodges and therefore more expensive. An alternative is staying in the Khwai concession like we did, but of course you will not be able to be at Third Bridge at 6 am!

Probably, the best way to do Moremi is to connect it with Savuti; if the starting point is Savuti, I would enter Moremi through North Gate, spend one night at Khwai campsite, do a Mokoro ride in the morning and ride through the concession in the afternoon. I would spend another night at the campsite to wake up early, have a game drive and drive around, then make my way to Third Bridge, where I would camp my third night. The following morning I would wake up early to drive at dawn, and make my way back to South Gate, where I would camp another night before going to Maun (after driving around Black Pools).

If the starting point is Maun, I would reach South Gate camping site at lunch and drive around, sleep there, then make my way to Xakanaxa passing through Third Bridge, sleep there, then reaching Khwai, sleep there one first night to have a game drive in the morning and a mokoro ride in the afternoon, and sleep a second night to start early the ascent to Savuti.

Keep in mind that there are no gas stations between Maun and Mabele.

Price for foreigners:

120 BWP/adult/day

Children (<17 years old) 60 BWP/day

50 BWP/vehicle/day