​Overview – Moremi GR

Anthony Ham
Expert
By Anthony Ham

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the Botswana & Namibia guide.

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Botswana & Namibia Lonely Planet guide.

Anthony is the author of the Botswana & Namibia Lonely Planet guide.

Moremi Game Reserve, in the Okavango Delta, is one of Africa’s best wildlife-viewing destinations. Aside from the wetlands, it consists of a dry peninsula, which is excellent for classic game-drive safaris and offers more wildlife sightings than the mokoro (dugout canoe) trips. All the Big Five are present.

 
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Best Time To Go July to October (Best wildlife viewing)
High Season July to October (Higher rates apply but not busy)
Size 5,000km² / 1,931mi²
Altitude 935-976m / 3,068-3,202ft
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Pros & Cons

  • Excellent wildlife viewing with the Big Five present
  • Great birding destination, particularly for waterbirds
  • Game drives and mokoro trips are available
  • A large choice of small, exclusive camps
  • Mobile camping safaris are possible in part of Moremi
  • Lodges are very expensive
  • Many areas become inaccessible from December to March

Moremi GR Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Wildlife

Moremi Game Reserve offers exceptional wildlife viewing. Rhino has been successfully reintroduced here, but sightings are still a bit hit-and-miss. The reserve is a major stronghold for wild dog. Most animals are very relaxed, which ensures quality sightings. Aside from the flagship species, there are large concentrations of red lechwe, impala, blue wildebeest and Burchell's zebra.

Scenery

Moremi has the best of both worlds within the Delta. There are big areas of wetlands with papyrus-lined channels and floating water lilies, perfect for mokoro safaris; and there are big tracts of land used for 4x4 safaris. The area is a mosaic of lagoons and islands, with all kinds of habitats, from grassland to thorn scrub and mopane woodland.

Weather & Climate

Moremi has a Dry season (April to October) that’s bookended by the reserve’s coolest and hottest temperatures. The mercury drops to an average afternoon low of 26°C/79°F in July, then soars to a high of 34°C/93°F in October. There’s little variation in the average temperature during the Wet season (November to March), which remains fairly hot at 31°C/88°F. The rainy months are characterized more by brief showers than unrelenting downpours.

Best Time To Visit

The Dry season (April to October) is ideal for wildlife watching and exploring. Temperatures are mostly mild, there are plenty of animals on the peninsula, and the Okavango’s water levels are perfect for mokoro (dugout canoe) trips. You won’t see the best of the birdlife, though, which visits in the Wet season (November to March). Prices are also steeper in the drier months, as this is Botswana’s high season.

Want To Visit Moremi GR?

Moremi GR Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Anthony Ham  –  
Australia AU

Anthony is a photographer and writer for travel magazines and Lonely Planet, including the guides to Kenya and Botswana & Namibia.

The Okavango’s Park
5/5

Moremi Game Reserve is the delta’s most accessible corner and one of the most rewarding wildlife areas in Africa. It’s possible to see the Big Five here, although the recently reintroduced rhino is present only in small numbers and very...

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All 12 Expert Reviews
Latest User Review
Bernice  –  
South Africa ZA
Reviewed: Jan 9, 2023
Could be managed better
3/5

Been visiting for over 30years and standard of accommodation, staff professionalism and efficiency, road infrastructure, game counts drastically changed not for the better. Went to Addo this January 2023 and faith in game reserve management...

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