Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve

Useful Information

History

The Moremi Game Reserve was officially proclaimed on 15 March 1963 and named after Chief Moremi III of the Batswana people. The reserve is considered one of the first in Africa formed by indigenous residents. It was not Chief Moremi III who started it, but his widow, who was concerned about degradation due to unsustainable hunting and cattle encroachment. Initially, the reserve only included what is known as “the Mopane Tongue,” but in the 1970s it was expanded to include Chief Moremi's royal hunting grounds. Only a game reserve was proclaimed—not a national park—which allowed residents to continue living in the area.

Ngamiland, the area around Moremi, was initially occupied by the Basarwa or Bushmen. In the 18th century, the WaYeyi, a Bantu-speaking people, moved there from north-western Botswana and north-eastern Namibia. The Basarwa were led there by a local fisherman and hunter named Hankuzi, who married a WaYeyi woman, fostering a peaceful bond between the Bushmen and the WaYeyi. The Basarwa taught new fishing techniques, and the WaYeyi brought canoe-building know-how to Ngamiland. When the influential Batswana arrived in the 19th century, the WaYeyi voluntarily became serfs of the Batswana, attaching to powerful households.

Wildlife

The waters of the Okavango Delta draw masses of wildlife, making Moremi both a seasonal and permanent home to diverse species. Huge elephant and buffalo herds dominate the landscape, with the endangered black and white rhinoceros found only on Chief's Island. The reserve is one of the few places hosting both brown and spotted hyena. Plains game species like giraffe, Burchell's zebra, and blue wildebeest are abundant, alongside beautiful antelope such as sitatunga, lechwe, greater kudu, and sable antelope. Healthy populations of endangered African wild dog reside here, while cheetah also inhabit the area, though they are elusive, often avoiding larger predators like lion and leopard.

Birdlife is prolific, with over 400 species recorded, including Pel's fishing owl and the lilac-breasted roller. The black-backed jackal is a frequent scavenger, its call echoing at night. During the wet season (Nov–Mar), newborns and migrant birds add vibrancy, while the dry season (Apr–Oct) concentrates animals around permanent water sources, enhancing game viewing. This rich biodiversity, set within a pristine wetland ecosystem, makes Moremi one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations.

Vegetation & Terrain

This conservation area has received many accolades for its protection efforts. In addition to being the first African reserve established by residents concerned for their ancestral heritage, it is also the only officially protected area in the Okavango Delta. The reserve covers almost a third of the hallowed Okavango and boasts one of the continent's richest and most diverse ecosystems. Seasonally or perennially wet, it encompasses waterways, pools, lagoons, pans, riverine vegetation, acacia and mopane forests, and grasslands.

The mopane forests are a major vegetation attraction. The trees can grow to impressive size and dwarf the understory. Moremi is known for its rivers—the Khwai and Jao and their tributaries—which vein into the plains and sustain many life forms. Negotiations are underway to include the park in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, which will ultimately span five countries.

Activities

Moremi has been described as one of the most beautiful reserves in the world and has won numerous travel and tourism awards. The diverse landscape and ecology offer so much to see that the daily expeditions into various areas are highly sought after. The waterways outside the reserve are best explored by boat, and various water-based activities are available, including traditional mokoro outings (canoe-like, hollowed-out tree trunks). Some areas are squarely in the wetlands and only offer water-based activities. Game drives are available in the drier regions and may include night drives and guided walks (contingent on water levels).

Landscape and wildlife photographers and cinematographers will find endless picture-perfect moments. Watch for the Big Five, endangered African wild dogs, and countless birds that thrive in these wetlands. Swimming in rivers and tributaries is not allowed; this is the domain of crocodiles and hippos. Some camps have swimming pools where visitors can cool off. Fishing is also offered at select camps.