• What distinguishes the Okavango Delta from Moremi?

To begin with, the Okavango Delta is where the Moremi Game Reserve is located. In other words, it encompasses the majority of its eastern part. In 1963, Moremi became the first protected reserve in the Okavango Delta when it was chosen as a game reserve rather than a national park in order to preserve the rights of the indigenous Bushmen and Batswana people, who are indigenous to the area.

The addition of Chief’s Island, a royal hunting field, to the reserve in the 1970s expanded its area by 70 x 15 kilometers (44 x 10 miles) and made it a wildlife protected area.

When mostly dry, the Okavango Delta’s reeded canals span about 15,000 km² (more than 9000 miles²), but during high water season, they can expand out to 22,000 km² (more than 13,000 miles²). During Botswana’s dry winter months, the low-water season runs from November to April, whereas the high-water season runs from June to October. Although this is a general rule based on past years, the water levels are entirely dependent on the yearly precipitation that enters through the Cubango and Cuito rivers from the high Angolan highlands.

When the strong flow slows, the Okavango Delta, which is home to many unusual and fascinating species such as African mangosteen, acacia, sycamore figs, sausage trees, raintrees, and mokolwane palms, appears as a palm-shaped bloom of green. Not to mention the animals, such as the Nile crocodile, giraffe, elephant, buffalo, hippopotamus, lechwe, topi, blue wildebeest, lion, cheetah, leopard, brown hyena, spotted hyena, greater kudu, and sable antelope, to mention a few.

• When is the ideal time of year to travel to the Okavango Region and the Moremi?

You may still have an unforgettable trip whether you choose to travel during peak season, when your chances of seeing wildlife are better and water levels are higher, or during off-peak times, when you can avoid the crowds and enjoy cheaper prices. Everything relies on the kind of experience you want.

The high-water season, which runs from June to August, is the best time to go if you prefer to concentrate on water-based activities like boating or slow mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) trips. Due to Botswana’s dry winters and beautiful weather, this time of year is believed to be the most popular. In addition, because there are so many water sources here, animals tend to gather in this area.

Although the weather starts to warm up in September and October, the water levels can still be rather high, and wildlife still finds this location appealing. Because of its location, this can be considered the ideal time to explore Moremi Game Reserve.

However, the benefit of traveling during a time when few people choose to travel is also present during the off-peak months of November through April. After the rains, the land turns a rich green and becomes a birder’s paradise, but the water has dried up and the animals are more scattered. Consult your travel advisor since some lodges tend to close their doors at this time of year because they are inaccessible due to the summer rains.

• Is there anything specific to the area that I should anticipate seeing?

Well, you might see a lechwe if you are lucky! The Okavango Delta region is home to this elegant antelope, which is native to Africa and found in marshy environments with a lot of water.

The environment of the Moremi and Okavango region is home to a wide variety of fish and wildlife, including the well-known Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and the endangered rhino). The Africa wild dog, sable antelope, greater kudu, giraffe, cheetah, brown hyena, spotted hyena, warthog, plains zebra, hippo, blue wildebeest, and giraffe are also seen. The news that there are more than 400 bird species in the region will excite birdwatchers. It is advised to stay inside your boat because this location is also known for its big crocodiles.

Despite all of this, it is already unusual to see the largest inland delta in the world, which is also a World Heritage Site. Bucket List: Verify!

• Is it safe to travel to this part of Botswana?

You need not be concerned about your safety when on a planned safari because Botswana is a fairly safe and politically stable country! Your travel advisor will never send you to where they believe you could be in danger. When it comes to safari safety, it is wise to pay attention to and abide by your guide’s directions when you are on a game drive.

The only danger you need be concerned about prior to visiting Botswana is the possibility of contracting malaria. To put it plainly, malaria is a disease that is spread by an infected mosquito’s bite. If a bloodthirsty, almost invisible insect was not bothersome enough, the possibility of getting malaria while on vacation is the icing on the cake.

Therefore, before you go, we strongly advise that you discuss your personal circumstances and health issues with your local physician or travel clinic. Anti-malarial drugs can be as simple and non-invasive as taking a daily vitamin supplement; your doctor will be better able to advise you on the best course of action.

When traveling with children, the risk of malaria does increase, but the parents ultimately bear the responsibility. See the next question for additional details about traveling with kids!

• Is it possible to take children to the Moremi and Okavango Region?

It is usually a great experience to travel with your family, and visiting Botswana is definitely feasible! Parents are the ones who know their kids the best, so they know what works for their family in terms of how adventurous the vacation can be and how distant you can be. Despite this, there are a number of lodges that welcome kids, most of which only let kids who are six years old or older—some even go as far as twelve. When organizing your vacation, ask your travel advisor to confirm their ages.

This is because of where some of these resorts are located. A light aircraft flight and a 4×4 vehicle drive are the only ways to reach many of the safari lodges in Moremi and the Okavango region. The majority of the lodges lack any fencing at all, allowing the animals to freely roam around the campgrounds. Additionally, some have water surrounding them, which can raise concerns for parents. You will have a fantastic family vacation as long as you are aware of what to anticipate.

Many of the best lodges included under the Relais & Châteaux hotel brand are those that welcome families with little children and have excellent children’s programs. To just a few, these lodges are located within the Moremi Game Reserve and include Camp Okavango, Shinde, Vumbura, Joa, Abu, Jacana, and Chief’s Camp. Is the Okavango and Moremi Region a suitable location for a romantic vacation?

Absolutely! In addition to being located in the center of one of the world’s most stunning nations, the Moremi and Okavango Delta ought to be on the bucket list of any honeymooner, anniversary traveler, and romantic adventurer. It appears to miraculously “move” couples closer because of its mysterious tectonic plates. Additionally, it is the ideal photo opportunity for the ideal proposal—not to give anyone ideas, mind you.

The adage “the most spectacular moments can never be explained, only felt” is frequently used, and it is certainly true when discussing romantic vacations in the Okavango Delta’s breathtaking scenery. This place is for all types of lovers, whether you are dining on your own deck with a view of the waterways as the sun sets over the marshland in front of you or exploring a meandering reeded waterway with your favorite beverage in search of the next wildlife surprise!

Imagine enjoying an African oil massage while birds serenade you into a trance, sleeping outside under a moonless sky, or having stars fill the atmosphere above you as you soar over the plains below. • Can I see the Okavango Delta from the air? Everyone needs to dine, so why not do it by candlelight while taking in the scenery with the sun, moon, and stars as your backdrop?

Light planes are the only way to reach the majority of lodges in the Moremi and Okavango region. From there, it is a quick drive to the lodge. Flying over the Okavango Delta is an adventure in and of itself. being high enough to see the expansive plains below, where verdant stretches of land blend into towering reeds that border the winding rivers for which this area is so well-known. If you are lucky, you might see some wildlife below. The powerful African elephant is very visible.

You can fly into Maun International Airport or Kasane Airport, depending on the sequence of your Botswana itinerary. Maun is a convenient way to get into the Delta. From there, visitors can drive themselves or take a road transfer to resorts on the fringes of the area, or they can board a light aircraft and take to the sky.

Professional pilots in smaller aircraft fly between the lodges and the closest commercial airports.

Note to heavy packers: Since these flights only permit soft-sided luggage or duffel bags that do not weigh more than 15 kg (33 lbs) per person, you may want to reevaluate what you carry. The short and sweet flights are aptly named “lodge hops,” as they end in less than an hour, which is ideal for taking pictures and possibly taking a quick nap.