Things to Do in Moremi Game Reserve

Moremi Game Reserve stands as one of Africa's most pristine wilderness areas, covering nearly 5,000 square kilometers of the eastern Okavango Delta in Botswana. This extraordinary reserve combines permanent water channels, seasonal floodplains, dry savanna, and mopane woodlands, creating diverse ecosystems that support an incredible array of wildlife. As the first reserve in Africa to be established by local residents rather than colonial governments, Moremi represents a remarkable conservation success story. The reserve is renowned for its exceptional game viewing opportunities, particularly its large populations of predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and the endangered African wild dogs. The waterways teem with hippos and crocodiles, while the floodplains attract massive herds of buffalo, elephants, and various antelope species. Bird enthusiasts will find over 400 species recorded here, making it one of Africa's premier birding destinations with everything from majestic fish eagles to colorful bee-eaters and rare wattled cranes.

Dining in Moremi centers around safari lodge restaurants and camp meals, as no independent restaurants exist within this pristine wilderness reserve. Most accommodations offer all-inclusive packages featuring hearty bush cuisine, traditional braai (barbecue) dinners under starlit skies, and packed lunches for full-day excursions. Lodge chefs typically prepare international dishes with local ingredients, fresh bread baked daily, and special dietary requirements upon request. Self-catering visitors must bring all food supplies from Maun, as no shops operate within the reserve - comprehensive provisioning and proper food storage to prevent wildlife encounters are essential for camping expeditions.

The dry season from May to October offers the best overall game viewing as animals concentrate around permanent water sources and vegetation is less dense, improving visibility. This period features pleasant daytime temperatures (20-25°C), cool nights, and minimal rainfall, though it's also peak tourist season with higher prices. The wet season from November to April brings lush landscapes, excellent birding with migratory species, and dramatic afternoon thunderstorms, but some areas become inaccessible due to flooding. For photography enthusiasts, April-May and September-October provide ideal conditions with good weather, active wildlife, and fewer crowds, while November-March is perfect for birders despite higher temperatures and humidity.