Moremi Game Reserve

Moremi Game Reserve is renowned for its rich and diverse wildlife, making it a prime destination for safari enthusiasts. The diverse habitats of Moremi, from woodlands and floodplains to lagoons and rivers, create a unique environment that supports this incredible variety of wildlife. Whether you’re on a game drive, a walking safari, or a mokoro trip, you’re sure to encounter some of Africa’s most iconic animals.

Wildlife

Here is a comprehensive look at the wildlife you can expect to find in Moremi:

Moremi Game Reserve is proudly a Big 5 destination, meaning you have the opportunity to spot:

• Lion: Healthy prides of lion are found throughout the reserve. The lions here have even adapted to the aquatic environment, and it is not uncommon to see them traversing through water.
• Leopard: These notoriously shy and elusive big cats are present in good numbers, particularly in the more wooded areas. Spotting a leopard is often a highlight for many safari-goers.
• Elephant: Botswana is home to the largest elephant population in Africa, and Moremi plays a crucial role in their range. Visitors can expect to see large herds, especially around water sources.
• Buffalo: Vast herds of African buffalo are a common sight, often congregating near water.
• Rhinoceros (Black and White): After successful reintroduction programmes, both black and white rhinoceros are now present in Moremi, making it one of the few places where the Big Five can be seen. Sightings are still rare and highly protected, but the reintroduction is a testament to conservation efforts.

Other Notable Predators that can be found in the reserve include:

• African Wild Dog (Painted Dog): Moremi is widely regarded as one of the best places in Africa to see the endangered African wild dog. The reserve supports a healthy and active population andwitnessing a pack on the hunt or at play is an incredibly rewarding experience.
• Cheetah: While more elusive than lions and leopards, cheetahs are present in the open plains areas of the reserve.
• Spotted Hyena: These intelligent and powerful carnivores are common, often seen at dusk or dawn, and their distinctive calls are a classic sound of the African bush.
• Other smaller predators: Keep an eye out for jackals (black-backed and side-striped), caracals, servals, and various mongoose species.

Plains Game and Other Mammals:

Moremi’s diverse habitats support an abundance of herbivores, including:

• Giraffe: Often seen Browse on the acacia trees.
• Zebra: Large herds of plains zebra are a common sight.
• Wildebeest (Blue Wildebeest): Another staple of the African plains.
• Antelope Species: Moremi is home to a fantastic variety of antelope, including: Impala (the most common antelope, often seen in large herds), Red Lechwe (asemi-aquatic antelope that thrives in the floodplains and marshy areas), Kudu (large antelope with impressive spiral horns), Waterbuck (often found near water sources), Tsessebe (known for their dark, iridescent coats and distinctive horns) and many other smaller antelope species.
• Hippopotamus: Abundant in the permanent waterways and lagoons, their distinctive grunts are a constant sound in the delta.
• Crocodiles: Large Nile crocodiles are frequently seen in the rivers and lagoons.
• Warthog: Always entertaining with their tails held high as they trot through the bush.
• Baboons and Vervet Monkeys: Common and often found around the edges of the permanent water or within forested areas.

Birdlife:

Moremi is a birder’s paradise, boasting over 500 recorded bird species, a remarkable number for a reserve of its size. The mix of water and land habitats attracts a wide variety of both water and woodland birds, as well as many migratory species during the wet season. Highlights include:

• Water Birds: African Fish Eagle (its call is iconic!), various storks (including the Saddle-billed Stork and Marabou Stork), herons, egrets, kingfishers, and the rare Slaty Egret and Wattled Crane.
• Raptors: A good variety of eagles, vultures, and falcons.
• Woodland Birds: Colourful rollers, bee-eaters, hornbills (like the Southern Ground Hornbill), and many smaller bushveld species.
• Pel’s Fishing Owl: A highly sought-after and elusive nocturnal bird that specialises in fishing.

The seasonal changes in Moremi, particularly the flooding of the Okavango Delta, influence animal movements. During the dry season (July to October), animals tend to concentrate more around the permanent water sources within the delta, making game viewing particularly rewarding.

A safari in Moremi Game Reserve offers an exceptionally rich and diverse wildlife experience, providing truly unforgettable encounters in one of Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas.

Activities

Moremi Game Reserve, with its unique blend of dry land and watery delta environments, offers an exceptional range of safari activities that provide truly diverse and immersive experiences. This ensures that visitors can engage with the wilderness in multiple fascinating ways.

Here are the primary activities available when visiting Moremi Game Reserve:

• Guided 4×4 Game Drives: This is the cornerstone of any safari in Moremi. Most lodges and mobile safari operators conduct game drives in open 4×4 vehicles, typically in the early mornings and late afternoons/evenings when wildlife is most active. These drives allow for deep penetration into the reserve, covering a wide variety of habitats from floodplains to woodlands, increasing the chances of encountering the full spectrum of Moremi’s wildlife, including the Big Five, wild dogs, and cheetah. Guides are highly knowledgeable about animal behaviour, tracking, and the local ecosystem, greatly enhancing the viewing experience.
• Self-Drive Safaris: For independent travellers, Moremi also permits self-driving within designated areas. This offers flexibility and a sense of adventure, though it is recommended to be experienced in bush driving and to have a reliable 4×4 vehicle.
• Mokoro Excursions (Traditional Canoe Trips): A quintessential Okavango Delta experience! A mokoro is a traditional dugout canoe, expertly poled through the shallow waterways by a local guide (known as a “poler”). These silent, slow-paced excursions offer a completely different perspective of the delta. Gliding through lily-filled lagoons and narrow channels, visitors can spot water birds, reed frogs, small fish, and often get incredibly close to hippos and crocodiles from a safe distance. It is also an excellent way to see the elusive Sitatunga antelope, which is perfectly adapted to the watery environment. The tranquillity of a mokoro trip is truly unparalleled.
• Guided Bush Walks: While not permitted in all areas of the reserve (especially within the national park sections for safety reasons related to predators), many concessions bordering Moremi, particularly the Khwai Community Area, offer guided walking safaris. Accompanied by armed and highly trained professional guides, these walks allow for an intimate exploration of the smaller details of the bush that might be missed from a vehicle. Participants can learn about tracks, signs, insects, birds, and medicinal plants. It is a fantastic way to engage with the environment using all senses, offering a profound appreciation for the ecosystem.
• Bird Watching: Moremi is a world-renowned birding destination. With over 500 bird species, enthusiasts will be delighted. Both land-based and water-based activities offer superb birding opportunities. Specialised birding safaris, often during the wet season (November to April) when migratory birds arrive and resident species are in breeding plumage, are popular. Key sightings include the African Fish Eagle, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Slaty Egret, and various colourful bee-eaters and rollers.
• Mobile Safaris (with overnight camping): Many safari experiences in Moremi are based around mobile camping safaris, which involve setting up temporary camps in exclusive wilderness sites within the reserve. These offer an authentic “back to nature” experience, complete with campfires and the sounds of the African night. They often combine land-based game drives with water-based activities.

It is important to note that the specific activities offered can vary depending on the lodge or tour operator chosen, as some camps specialise in water-based activities due to their location within the permanent delta, while others focus more on land-based game viewing. Many top-tier lodges, however, provide a balance of both to give a comprehensive Moremi experience.