Botswana Safari

Moremi Game Reserve is really the heart of Botswanan wildlife viewing as it forms the centre and eastern reaches of the Okavango Delta. As well as the surrounding private concessions this is one of the best areas for game viewing, but, as it is a Game Reserve, it is open to the general public (self-drives, etc) and therefore in areas such as Xakanaka it can get rather busy on wildlife sightings. Chief's Island however, which is also part of Moremi, has limited access as it only has Mombo Camp and Chief's Camp for accommodation purposes and therefore these form part of the most expensive and exclusive places to stay in Botswana.

The terrain of Moremi Game Reserve varies greatly from one area to the next, taking in floodplains, flat grasslands and deep water channels making it one of the most diverse environments on the African continent. For this reason an abundance of wildlife can be seen and most itineraries encompass at least one lodge or camp in this area. This diversity lends itself to excellent wildlife safaris with the possibility of seeing the Big Five (rhino have just been re-introduced). Other highlights include buffalo and elephants, a variety of antelope including impala, kudu, red lechwe, eland and sable. For the predators, Moremi Reserve is heaven and there are plentiful populations of lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena and even a healthy population of wild dogs (Botswana has one of the best populations of Wild Dogs in Africa).

As this is a Reserve, night drives are not allowed and neither is driving off the road which is one of the obvious disadvantages of the Reserve; the private concessions however have more freedom permitting night drives and off-road driving which does maximise your game viewing possibilities.

Best Time to Visit Moremi Reserve:

A number of camps and lodges close down through the worst of the wet season (January - March); there is usually water in Moremi for most of the year however it is the levels that affect the access. The best time for your wildlife safari is during the dry months of June through to November when water is not so readily available. The shoulder seasons are the better times for birdwatchers as this is when the migrant birds are around and the vegetation is lush, thick and green.

It is definitely worth considering visiting Botswana in the shoulder months of May - June and November - December as the wildlife viewing is still very good and you will be able to benefit from shoulder season prices.

To find out more or make an enquiry, please email sales@worldbigcatsafaris.com