Moremi Game Reserve is the one part of the Okavango Delta that is formally protected, and the Botswana Tourism Organisation describes it as covering about 3,900 square kilometres where land and Delta meet. It holds all the significant herbivores and carnivores of the region, over 400 bird species and, following reintroductions, black and white rhino, which makes it a Big Five destination. This full-day trip from Maun is the easiest way to see it if you are not staying inside the reserve. You leave early, drive north through the buffer villages and bush to the reserve gate, then spend the day on game drives through a mosaic of habitats: seasonal and perennial floodplains, woodland and lagoons. The trip has a rating of 4.9 from 31 reviews on Viator, one of the stronger records among Maun day trips. It is a long day, roughly twelve hours, and the roads can be sandy and bumpy, so it is a rewarding but tiring excursion, best taken in the dry months when animals gather near permanent water.
Why Moremi stands out: unlike a purely dry Kalahari reserve, it has water in the mix, so you can see elephants wading, hippos in lagoons, red lechwe on floodplains and fish eagles overhead in a single drive. Predators including lion, leopard and wild dog live here, and the dry months bring the best odds because animals concentrate near water. Sightings are never promised, and the guides will say so.
Planning the day: the trip departs early and returns in the evening, with a break for lunch. Bring a hat, sun protection, binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, layers for chilly early mornings in winter, and plenty of water. Dust is common, so keep electronics covered. Check what is included, because park entry fees, lunch and drinks vary between operators. If you have the time and budget, a night or two inside the reserve gives more time with the animals at dawn and dusk, when they are most active.
When to go: June to October gives the best game viewing, and the flood peaks around June to August in the wider Delta. From November to March the reserve is green, hot and humid, with storms that can make tracks muddy and some areas inaccessible, though birdlife is superb and there are newborn animals. Day trips from Maun are possible year-round, but conditions on the ground change the route. Combine this with a mokoro day trip for a Delta double.
What to expect
The experience
A full-day guided game drive in Moremi Game Reserve in a 4x4, departing from Maun early in the morning and returning in the evening.
Best time
June to October for concentrated wildlife near water; early morning and late afternoon for the most animal activity.
How long
About twelve hours including the drive from Maun.
Tips
Bring binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, sun protection, layers and plenty of water. Check whether park fees and lunch are included.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Wildlife lovers who want Big Five habitat in a single day from Maun.
- Families
- A long, bumpy day; best for older children who enjoy game drives.
- Couples
- A shared early start and a day of sightings, ideally paired with a quiet mokoro trip.
- Pair with
- A mokoro day trip, or a night at a Maun lodge before and after.
- Time needed
- One long day.
Good questions
Is Moremi part of the Okavango Delta?+
Yes, it is the only officially protected part of the Delta, covering about 3,900 square kilometres. It sits in the central and eastern Delta.
Will I see the Big Five?+
The reserve has all five, including reintroduced black and white rhino, but sightings are never guaranteed. Lion, elephant and buffalo are the most likely.
How long is the drive from Maun?+
It is a long approach on sandy tracks, so the day is typically around twelve hours. Expect an early start.
Are park fees included?+
This varies by operator, so check the inclusions on the booking page before you pay.
What is the best season?+
The dry months from June to October give the best game viewing. The green season is beautiful but muddier and hotter.
