Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Moremi Game Reserve, established in 1963, is one of Botswana’s most famous protected areas and a critical component of the Okavango Delta ecosystem. Covering approximately 1,639 square kilometers, it encompasses a mixture of dense mopane woodland, acacia forests, floodplains, and permanent waterways. The reserve lies on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta, where the seasonal floods bring life to the region and support a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Moremi was one of the first reserves in Africa to be set aside with the collaboration of local indigenous communities to ensure wildlife protection alongside traditional land use.
This reserve is particularly celebrated for its abundant populations of African elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs, hippos, and buffaloes, together with over 400 species of birds. Its landscape is varied, including the Moremi Peninsula, mopane forests, and the Khwai River. Visitors come primarily for guided game drives, mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions through the floodplains, bird watching, and photography safaris. Notable landmarks include Chiefs Island – recognized as a premier game-viewing area – and the Command Okavango Delta wetlands.
Moremi’s appeal lies in its accessibility combined with a genuine wilderness experience; it is less crowded than some other Okavango regions and offers a high chance to encounter the elusive African wild dog and big cats. Tourist infrastructure mainly consists of upscale lodges and camps, with few formal hiking trails, as the reserve emphasizes guided vehicle and boat safaris. Conservation efforts in Moremi prioritize habitat protection and the maintenance of natural flood regimes integral to sustaining its wildlife populations.
