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Ian Sewell CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Moremi Game Reserve

Reservation

On the eastern edge of Botswana's Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve offers classic safari circuits, seasonal waterways for mokoro trips and rich birdlife across floodplains and mopane woodland.

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In this guide

Moremi Game Reserve essentials

Address: Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta region, Botswana
Website: moremi.org
Admission: Park fees and concession entry required; non-citizen rates apply (varies by season and camp - typically set by Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks)
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About Moremi Game Reserve

Moremi Game Reserve is a protected wildlife area in the eastern sector of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. It was established in 1963 to conserve wildlife and wetland habitats within the delta.

The reserve encompasses a mix of permanent waterways, seasonal floodplains and drier woodland, creating diverse habitats for elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, African wild dog and many waterbirds. Safari visitors use a combination of guided game drives, walking safaris and boat or mokoro (dugout canoe) trips to access different habitats.

Created by the government of Botswana with local participation in 1963, Moremi was set aside to protect a representative portion of the Okavango’s wildlife and wetland systems. Since its creation it has become a core conservation and tourism area within the delta.

Situated in northeastern Botswana inside the Okavango Delta system, Moremi is accessed from regional gateways such as the town of Maun and by charter flights or road transfers to reserve entry points.

  • Establishment and size: Created as a protected reserve in 1963; it covers roughly 5,000 square kilometres within the eastern Okavango Delta.
  • Best time to visit: Dry-season months generally offer the best land-based wildlife viewing while the annual flood season favors water-based safaris by canoe or boat.

What to See#

  • Chief’s Island: An area of higher ground and waterways within the reserve that concentrates wildlife, often a focus for safari camps and guided drives.
  • Xakanaxa and floodplain areas: A permanent-channel and floodplain area known for seasonal water levels and good wildlife viewing from lodges and camps located nearby.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Moremi Game Reserve

May-October is prime for big-game sightings; November-April is best for birdwatching and water-based safaris, though accessibility varies.

Dry season (best for game viewing)
May-Oct · 10-25°C (50-77°F)
Water recedes into channels and wildlife concentrates, making sightings easier.
Wet season (birdlife and waterways)
Nov-Apr · 20-32°C (68-90°F)
Lush vegetation and excellent birding; boat and mokoro trips are at their best but some roads become impassable.

Weather & Climate near Moremi Game Reserve

Climate

Moremi Game Reserve's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in November) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 8°C to 34°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 55 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
SeptemberMayJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
43°
Warmest Month
2°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 20° - 32° 26° 115 mm partly cloudy 59% 2.3 m/s 2.9 extreme 13.0h
February Very Good 20° - 32° 26° 100 mm partly cloudy 62% 2.2 m/s 2.8 extreme 12.6h
March Excellent 19° - 32° 25° 62 mm partly cloudy 59% 2.4 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.1h
April Ideal 16° - 31° 23° 20 mm mostly sunny 48% 2.6 m/s 2.0 extreme 11.5h
May Ideal 12° - 29° 20° 2 mm clear 36% 2.4 m/s 1.6 very high 11.1h
June Ideal 9° - 26° 17° 1 mm clear 36% 2.5 m/s 1.2 high 10.8h
July Ideal 8° - 26° 17° 0 mm clear 33% 2.7 m/s 1.3 high 11.0h
August Ideal 11° - 29° 20° 1 mm clear 26% 2.9 m/s 1.6 very high 11.3h
September Ideal 15° - 32° 24° 4 mm clear 22% 3.2 m/s 1.9 very high 11.9h
October Ideal 19° - 34° 26° 22 mm mostly sunny 25% 3.4 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.4h
November Excellent 20° - 33° 27° 47 mm partly cloudy 39% 3.0 m/s 2.6 extreme 12.9h
December Very Good 20° - 32° 26° 85 mm partly cloudy 53% 2.6 m/s 2.7 extreme 13.2h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Moremi Game Reserve

Moremi is accessed from Maun or Maun Airport. Most visitors arrive by charter flight to private camps or via 4x4 road transfers from Maun. Logistics are usually handled by camps or tour operators; some areas are reachable only by seasonal tracks and water channels.

Tips for Visiting Moremi Game Reserve

  • Book camps and permits months in advance, especially for October-March when private camps fill quickly.
  • Travel with a licensed guide and vehicle - Moremi's landscape and wildlife quotas are actively managed and guides know where to find animals without disturbing them.
  • Pack binoculars and a good guidebook; boat and mokoro safaris reveal species that drive safaris often miss.