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Botswana🇧🇼 | national parksMoremi Game ReserveXakanaxa Lagoon, Third Bridge, mopane tracks, Khwai edge | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Moremi Game Reserve
🌟 Highlightnational park ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The decision most travelers face is whether to self-drive and camp inside Moremi Game Reserve or join a guided trip, and your vehicle experience and budget tip it. Sand tracks and water crossings are manageable with a high-clearance 4x4 and a recovery kit, but a breakdown costs days and money. Moremi Game Reserve sits in the north of Botswana, covering the eastern side of the Okavango Delta. The mix of mopane woodland, floodplain and lagoon holds lion, leopard, wild dog, elephant and hippo, and the game drives are excellent. There are no marked hiking trails, because walking is not allowed inside the reserve. Roads are slow, so plan on 4 to 6 hours for what looks like a short transfer. Campsites sell out months ahead, so book early and carry all food and fuel. Expect few crowds outside July to October. It suits self-sufficient travelers who like quiet bush time. It will frustrate anyone wanting walking safaris, easy buses or flexible last-minute plans.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 national park in BotswanaWhy Moremi Game Reserve should be on your travel list

Moremi Game Reserve rewards backpackers who want to drive their own route rather than follow a tour minibus schedule. Self-drive is allowed, so you set the pace at a leopard sighting near Xakanaxa or sit out the afternoon at a hippo pool without a guide checking the clock. Camping inside the reserve puts you in unfenced sites like Third Bridge, where hyena and elephant pass through at night, and a roof-top tent or ground tent costs a fraction of a lodge bed. The terrain changes within a single day, from dry Kalahari sand to Chief’s Island floodplain edges, so you see very different animals without leaving the reserve. Hiring a 4x4 in Maun and sharing costs between three or four people brings the price down sharply, and the roads are quiet compared with Chobe. This is a place for people who … read more 👉
Moremi Game Reserve rewards backpackers who want to drive their own route rather than follow a tour minibus schedule. Self-drive is allowed, so you set the pace at a leopard sighting near Xakanaxa or sit out the afternoon at a hippo pool without a guide checking the clock. Camping inside the reserve puts you in unfenced sites like Third Bridge, where hyena and elephant pass through at night, and a roof-top tent or ground tent costs a fraction of a lodge bed. The terrain changes within a single day, from dry Kalahari sand to Chief’s Island floodplain edges, so you see very different animals without leaving the reserve. Hiring a 4x4 in Maun and sharing costs between three or four people brings the price down sharply, and the roads are quiet compared with Chobe. This is a place for people who enjoy reading tracks, planning fuel and water, and being truly self-reliant.

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

  1. Xakanaxa Lagoon: The reserve’s best-known wildlife area, with open water, papyrus channels and reedbeds. Mokoro and boat outings run from the camp here, and birdlife is dense, including African skimmer and pel’s fishing owl in good years.
  2. Third Bridge: A wooden bridge crossing a deep channel in the heart of the reserve, with a campsite nearby. Lion and leopard patrol the surrounding woodland, and the crossing itself is an adventure in high-water months.
  3. Dombo Hippo Pool: A shallow channel where hippos gather in large numbers, with grunting and splashing that carries across the water. There is a short stop for picnics and viewing from the vehicle.
  4. Mopane woodland drives: Sandy tracks through shady mopane forest where elephant, kudu and sable antelope are regular sightings. Wild dog denning in
… read more 👉
  1. Xakanaxa Lagoon: The reserve’s best-known wildlife area, with open water, papyrus channels and reedbeds. Mokoro and boat outings run from the camp here, and birdlife is dense, including African skimmer and pel’s fishing owl in good years.
  2. Third Bridge: A wooden bridge crossing a deep channel in the heart of the reserve, with a campsite nearby. Lion and leopard patrol the surrounding woodland, and the crossing itself is an adventure in high-water months.
  3. Dombo Hippo Pool: A shallow channel where hippos gather in large numbers, with grunting and splashing that carries across the water. There is a short stop for picnics and viewing from the vehicle.
  4. Mopane woodland drives: Sandy tracks through shady mopane forest where elephant, kudu and sable antelope are regular sightings. Wild dog denning in the area has made it a favorite for specialist photographers.
  5. South Gate to Khwai loop: A long route that crosses the reserve from the southern entrance to the northern boundary, passing floodplain, forest and several bridges. Allow a full day.
  6. Khwai River edge: Along the northern boundary, open grassland and river frontage give some of the best sightings of predators and big herds, and nearby community camps are an affordable base.
  7. Mboma Island: A raised area with mixed woodland and open clearings, good for giraffe, zebra and buffalo, and quieter than the main lagoon tracks.
Moremi Game Reserve is best started at Xakanaxa Lagoon, because its mix of water, birds and predators gives you a quick read on how the reserve works before you commit to the longer tracks.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Moremi Game Reserve

1 Day Okavango Delta Mokoro/Canoe Daytrip

1 Day Okavango Delta Mokoro/Canoe Daytrip

4.8(100) 8h
From €141
per personViator
11 Days and 10 Nights Private Northern Explorer Tour

11 Days and 10 Nights Private Northern Explorer Tour

4.8(40) 264h
From €6,387
per personViator
Botswana Camel Safari Experience

Botswana Camel Safari Experience

4.9(34) 1h
From €54
per personViator
Moremi Full Day Trip From Maun

Moremi Full Day Trip From Maun

4.9(31) 12h
From €291
per personViator
2 Nights Okavango Delta Mokoro WildCamping Tour, all-inclusive

2 Nights Okavango Delta Mokoro WildCamping Tour, all-inclusive

4.8(34) 72h
From €770
per personViator
2 nights 3 days Overnight Mokoro Trail Okavango delta

2 nights 3 days Overnight Mokoro Trail Okavango delta

4.9(17) 72h
From €697
per personViator
Small Group Immersive Cultural Tour in Maun

Small Group Immersive Cultural Tour in Maun

4.9(17) 3h
From €118
per personViator
12Day WILDERNESS TRAIL: Okavango, Moremi & Chobe + Victoria Falls

12Day WILDERNESS TRAIL: Okavango, Moremi & Chobe + Victoria Falls

4.8(17) 288h
From €3,936
per personViator
13 Day WILDERNESS TRAIL: Best Of Northern Botswana -WildCamping + Victoria Falls

13 Day WILDERNESS TRAIL: Best Of Northern Botswana -WildCamping + Victoria Falls

4.8(16) 312h
From €4,818
per personViator
7 Nights / 8 Days Delta Miracle Trip

7 Nights / 8 Days Delta Miracle Trip

4.7(15) 192h
From €4,470
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Dry Season (May to October): Moremi Game Reserve gives its best game viewing from July to October, when pools shrink and animals crowd the Khwai and Okavango channels. Days run 25 to 32°C (77 to 90°F), nights 5 to 10°C (41 to 50°F) in June and July, and daylight lasts about 11 hours.
  • Flood Peak (June to August): Okavango floodwater arrives here from Angola and fills the channels, so mokoro and boat trips are at their best. Camps book out months ahead and rates are at their highest.
  • Hot Build-up (September to November): Afternoons reach 35 to 40°C (95 to 104°F). Elephants and predators are easy to find at water, and crowds thin by November.
  • Green Season (December to March): Thunderstorms turn sand tracks to mud, and some roads and campsites close or need a 4x4 with a winch. Temperatures sit at
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (May to October): Moremi Game Reserve gives its best game viewing from July to October, when pools shrink and animals crowd the Khwai and Okavango channels. Days run 25 to 32°C (77 to 90°F), nights 5 to 10°C (41 to 50°F) in June and July, and daylight lasts about 11 hours.
  • Flood Peak (June to August): Okavango floodwater arrives here from Angola and fills the channels, so mokoro and boat trips are at their best. Camps book out months ahead and rates are at their highest.
  • Hot Build-up (September to November): Afternoons reach 35 to 40°C (95 to 104°F). Elephants and predators are easy to find at water, and crowds thin by November.
  • Green Season (December to March): Thunderstorms turn sand tracks to mud, and some roads and campsites close or need a 4x4 with a winch. Temperatures sit at 28 to 35°C (82 to 95°F), birdlife peaks, and lodge rates drop by 30 to 50 percent.
Book campsites 6 to 12 months ahead for July to September, or choose late October for fewer vehicles.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Inside Moremi Game Reserve you can sleep at public campsites at Third Bridge, Xakanaxa (Khwai side) and South Gate, and all are unfenced, so animals walk through at night. Third Bridge is the wildest, with hippos grunting from the water and lions often heard after dark. Sites have basic ablutions at most spots, but no shops or fuel, so you must carry food, water and fuel for the whole trip. Campsites cost roughly US$50 to 60 per person per night and must be booked through the operators who manage them. Inside the reserve there are also luxury tented camps, which cost US$600 and up per person.
… read more 👉
Inside Moremi Game Reserve you can sleep at public campsites at Third Bridge, Xakanaxa (Khwai side) and South Gate, and all are unfenced, so animals walk through at night. Third Bridge is the wildest, with hippos grunting from the water and lions often heard after dark. Sites have basic ablutions at most spots, but no shops or fuel, so you must carry food, water and fuel for the whole trip. Campsites cost roughly US$50 to 60 per person per night and must be booked through the operators who manage them. Inside the reserve there are also luxury tented camps, which cost US$600 and up per person.

Maun, about 90 km from South Gate (a 2 to 3 hour drive on sand and gravel), is the real backpacker base. Hostels and campsites such as Maun Rest Camp, Sedia Riverside and Old Bridge Backpackers offer dorms from US$15 to 25 and campsites from US$8 to 15. Maun also has the supermarkets, fuel and gear rental. Khwai village, on the northeastern boundary, has community campsites at roughly US$15 to 30 per person, and they suit those who want a cheaper, wilder night just outside the gate.
Best hostels in Botswana


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👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Moremi Game Reserve

A self-drive visit to Moremi Game Reserve typically costs around US$145 to 175 per person per day, with the park fees and campsite bookings making up most of it. Prices below assume camping and sharing a vehicle between two or more people.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Park entrance feeUS$15 to 30Charged per non-resident adult per day, with an extra daily fee for a foreign-registered vehicle. Pay in pula or by card at the gate.
Campsite (high season)US$50 to 60Per person per night at Third Bridge, Xakanaxa or South Gate. Booking is required months ahead for July to October.
Campsite (low season)US$35 to 50Rates are lower from December to March, but access is difficult.
4x4 rental shareUS$30 to 50Fully equipped vehicles from Maun cost roughly US$100 to 160 per day, shared between 2 to 4 people.
… read more 👉
A self-drive visit to Moremi Game Reserve typically costs around US$145 to 175 per person per day, with the park fees and campsite bookings making up most of it. Prices below assume camping and sharing a vehicle between two or more people.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Park entrance feeUS$15 to 30Charged per non-resident adult per day, with an extra daily fee for a foreign-registered vehicle. Pay in pula or by card at the gate.
Campsite (high season)US$50 to 60Per person per night at Third Bridge, Xakanaxa or South Gate. Booking is required months ahead for July to October.
Campsite (low season)US$35 to 50Rates are lower from December to March, but access is difficult.
4x4 rental shareUS$30 to 50Fully equipped vehicles from Maun cost roughly US$100 to 160 per day, shared between 2 to 4 people.
FuelUS$10 to 15Fill up in Maun, as there is no fuel inside the reserve. Sandy tracks raise consumption.
Food and suppliesUS$10 to 20Stock up at Maun supermarkets, since there are no shops inside. Bring your own water.
Total Daily BudgetUS$145 to 175Based on high-season camping and a shared 4x4.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsExploring Moremi Game Reserve: trails, terrain, and views

Moremi Game Reserve has no designated, named hiking trails, because walking inside the reserve is prohibited for safety. Exploration is by vehicle on sand tracks, by boat in the lagoons, and by mokoro in some areas. Most visitors follow a few set routes, and each is a different kind of day.
  • South Gate to Third Bridge: Roughly 40 to 50 kilometers of deep sand and mopane woodland, taking about 2 to 3 hours of slow driving. Difficulty is moderate for 4x4 drivers, with water crossings in high-water months.
  • Third Bridge to Xakanaxa: A track of about 30 to 40 kilometers through floodplain and woodland,
… read more 👉
Moremi Game Reserve has no designated, named hiking trails, because walking inside the reserve is prohibited for safety. Exploration is by vehicle on sand tracks, by boat in the lagoons, and by mokoro in some areas. Most visitors follow a few set routes, and each is a different kind of day.
  • South Gate to Third Bridge: Roughly 40 to 50 kilometers of deep sand and mopane woodland, taking about 2 to 3 hours of slow driving. Difficulty is moderate for 4x4 drivers, with water crossings in high-water months.
  • Third Bridge to Xakanaxa: A track of about 30 to 40 kilometers through floodplain and woodland, around 2 hours. Hippo, elephant and buffalo are frequent, and sections can be waterlogged.
  • Xakanaxa loops: Short drives of 1 to 3 hours along lagoon edges and reeds. Easy, and good for birds and lions.
  • North Gate to Khwai: A route of about 30 kilometers along open grass and riverbank, 1.5 to 2 hours. Terrain is flat but dusty and can be churned up by traffic.
  • Boat or mokoro outings: Short guided trips of 2 to 3 hours from Xakanaxa camp. Calm water, with hippo and crocodile requiring a guide.
Terrain alternates between dry sand ridges and seasonal floodplain, and the tracks are narrow, so drive slowly and let oncoming vehicles pass. Predators are active around dawn and dusk, and elephants regularly cross tracks. Keep to marked roads and never leave the vehicle outside designated areas.
Public transport does not reach the reserve. Most travelers drive from Maun, either self-drive in a high-clearance 4x4 or on a mobile camping safari. Entry is paid at the gate, and vehicles pay separately, so carry the correct card or cash. Crowds are light compared with other parks, though camps fill from July to October, so book well ahead.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Moremi Game Reserve

Moremi Game Reserve is straightforward if you treat the wildlife with routine respect. Camps are unfenced, so keep food locked in your vehicle, zip your tent and never walk around after dark without a torch, since elephants, hyenas and hippos pass through camp. Walking outside camp is not permitted in the reserve, so you explore in a vehicle and stay inside it near animals. Keep your distance from elephants, back away quietly if one shows irritation, and never block an animal’s path. Sand tracks are the real hazard. Deep sand and flooded sections can bog a vehicle, so you need a high-clearance 4x4, reduced tire pressure, recovery gear and a second spare. Water crossings, like those at Third Bridge, should be walked and checked first. Phone signal is absent, so carry a satellite messenger, … read more 👉
Moremi Game Reserve is straightforward if you treat the wildlife with routine respect. Camps are unfenced, so keep food locked in your vehicle, zip your tent and never walk around after dark without a torch, since elephants, hyenas and hippos pass through camp. Walking outside camp is not permitted in the reserve, so you explore in a vehicle and stay inside it near animals. Keep your distance from elephants, back away quietly if one shows irritation, and never block an animal’s path. Sand tracks are the real hazard. Deep sand and flooded sections can bog a vehicle, so you need a high-clearance 4x4, reduced tire pressure, recovery gear and a second spare. Water crossings, like those at Third Bridge, should be walked and checked first. Phone signal is absent, so carry a satellite messenger, a paper map and at least 5 liters of water per person a day. Malaria is present, so start prophylaxis, use repellent at dusk and sleep under a net.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Moremi Game Reserve

Plan 3 to 4 days for Moremi Game Reserve if you want to see more than one habitat. Spend a night each at South Gate or Xakanaxa and Third Bridge, with a possible extra night at Khwai. Two days is enough for a quick loop from Maun, but the sandy tracks mean you cover only about 100 km a day.
Visiting Moremi Game Reserve without a car is possible only on a guided trip. Self-drive needs a high-clearance 4x4, and there is no public transport to the gates. Operators in Maun run 3 to 5 day mobile camping safaris from roughly US$200 to 350 per person per day, and fly-in options exist for those with bigger budgets.
Yes, Moremi Game Reserve charges a daily entrance fee of roughly US$15 to 30 per non-resident adult, plus a vehicle fee. You also need a pre-booked campsite to enter, as day access without a booking is limited. Book months ahead for July to October, and keep your receipts and park permit for gate checks at South Gate and North Gate.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Botswanan national parks near Moremi Game Reserve

Explore more nearby:

  • Okavango Delta—Mokoro channels, island walks, Chief's Island, scenic flights
  • Linyanti Wildlife Reserve—Private concessions, wild dog dens, channel crossings, night drives| 132 km away
  • Chobe National Park—Dry-season elephants, river cruises, Savuti channel, Linyanti wetlands| 153 km away

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We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Moremi Game Reserve works best when paired with the Khwai community area on one side and Savuti or Chobe on the other, giving you floodplain, forest and river in a single loop. I would book campsites first and plan the rest of the route around them. Bring more fuel and water than the map suggests.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Botswana. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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