Moremi Game Reserve: Botswana’s Community-Founded Wilderness
Established in 1963 by the Batawana people, Moremi was the first reserve in Africa created by the very community that calls it home ā today one of Botswana’s richest, most biodiverse wildlife destinations.
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What Is Moremi Game Reserve ā And Why Its Origin Story Matters
Moremi Game Reserve sits in the eastern Okavango Delta, covering nearly 5,000kmĀ² of Botswana’s most biodiverse wilderness. What makes it genuinely different from most protected areas in Africa is its origin: in 1963, the Batawana people established Moremi themselves, concerned about preserving their ancestral lands from encroaching hunting ā making it the first reserve on the continent founded by local residents rather than a colonial or government authority. It was named to honor Chief Moremi III.
That founding spirit still shapes the reserve today ā a place where conservation and community were never separate ideas.
At a Glance:
Two Reserves in One: The Dry Side and the Delta Side
Moremi’s real distinctiveness lies in how much variety it packs into one reserve. The eastern side ā around Khwai and the Mopane Tongue ā is drier ground, offering reliable game drives year-round, even when the delta side runs low on water. The delta side ā around Xakanaxa and Moremi Tongue ā is a maze of permanent lagoons, reed beds, and waterways, where mokoro (dugout canoe) trips and motorised boating open up a completely different way of experiencing the reserve.
Few places in Botswana let you combine a classic dry-land game drive and a genuine delta water experience within the same protected area.
The Wildlife
Moremi is regarded as one of Africa’s most biodiverse reserves, with habitat ranging from wetlands and lagoons to grassland and hardwood forest. It’s one of the best places in Botswana to see African wild dog, alongside healthy populations of lion, leopard, cheetah, and elephant. Hippos and crocodiles are common in the waterways, and the elusive sitatunga antelope ā a shy, semi-aquatic species ā is found in the reed beds.
Birdlife is exceptional, especially between November and April when migratory species arrive ā the wattled crane among the highlights found in Moremi’s wetlands.
Best Time to Visit
MayāOctober (dry season): The strongest window for game viewing, as wildlife concentrates around permanent water. August through October is widely regarded as peak time for big-cat encounters.
NovemberāApril (wet/green season): Lush scenery, excellent birdwatching, and quieter, more affordable travel ā though some delta-side areas can become difficult to access, and certain camps close between January and March.
Getting There
Like the wider Okavango Delta, most journeys to Moremi start in Maun, Botswana’s main safari gateway. From there, options include light aircraft charter directly to lodge airstrips, or road access via the drier eastern side near Khwai ā a route considered relatively self-drive friendly compared to the delta side, which is far more difficult to navigate independently, especially in the wet season.
Khwai: The Neighbour Worth Knowing About
Just outside Moremi’s boundary sits the Khwai Community Area ā a private concession bordering the reserve, popular for exactly the activities not permitted inside Moremi itself, like walking safaris and night drives. Many travellers combine time in both areas, since Khwai offers a different, more flexible style of safari right next door to the reserve.
Our 6-Night Botswana Tented Safari includes time in Khwai ā a genuinely excellent complement to a Moremi visit, though it’s worth knowing this specific itinerary doesn’t enter Moremi Game Reserve itself.
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Related Guides
- The Okavango Delta Guide Moremi sits within this same delta system
- Chobe National Park
- Botswana Safari Guide
What makes Moremi Game Reserve different from other Botswana parks?
It was the first reserve in Africa established by its own local community ā the Batawana people, in 1963 ā rather than by a colonial or government authority. It’s also unusual in combining two genuinely different landscapes, dry eastern ground and delta wetland, within one reserve.
When is the best time to visit Moremi?
May through October for the strongest game viewing, with August to October considered peak time for predator sightings. November through April is best for birdwatching, though some areas become harder to access during the wettest months.
Is Moremi good for self-driving?
The eastern side, around Khwai, is relatively self-drive friendly. The delta side is far more difficult to navigate independently and isn’t generally recommended without a guide, especially in the wet season.
What’s the difference between Moremi and Khwai?
Khwai is a private community concession bordering Moremi, not part of the reserve itself. It’s popular for activities not permitted inside Moremi, like walking safaris and night drives, and is often combined with a Moremi visit.