Travel to Okavango Moremi Central

the epicentral sector of the Okavango Delta

At 1980 square kilometres, Moremi Central is the beating heart of the Okavango Delta.

This is a prime safari area containing some extremely pretty landscapes and offering very strong wildlife viewing year round, with an exceptional reputation for predator sightings, especially lions, leopards, hyenas and wild-dogs.

Unlike the majority of the surrounding private concession areas, this is a part of the Moremi National Park, centred on the substantial Chief’s Island which is completely surrounded by the floodwaters of the Okavango Delta.

The northwest tip of the island (around Mombo Camp) has exceptional grazing conditions, being where the floodwaters deposit their nutrients.

The area is restricted to just 68 guests in four small camps, around 29 square kilometres per person, which is an extremely low guest density.

A major downside of being located inside the national park is that the camps are not allowed to offer walking safari, night vehicle safari and, in some cases, motorboat safari and mokoro canoe safari.

When it comes to trip shapes and durations in Botswana, most visitors combine 2, 3 or 4 lodges by light aircraft over 6-12 nights, one or two of which will usually be here in Okavango Delta, combined with the Linyanti Waterfront and/or Makgadikgadi areas.

These trips are often done in combination with further nights at the Victoria Falls and/or down in the Cape.

The usual stay duration in Moremi Central tends to be limited to just 2-3 nights, since the range of activities is reduced compared with the surrounding concessions.

Seasonality

The Moremi Central area can be visited year round, but there are considerable seasonal variations.

The Jul-Sep dry season is the classic time to visit the Okavango Delta and is generally considered to be the best time for wildlife viewing, as animals are drawn to the water from surrounding areas. Temperatures can drop towards freezing at night, particularly during Jul-Aug, but the days are perfect for safari. There are also very few insects around. The flood in this central part of the delta should be strong at this time, turning large parts of the area into a gorgeous water-world, but receding fast into September. This is very much the high season in terms of prices and visitor numbers.

Oct-Dec is the hot wet season when temperatures and humidities can become uncomfortably high, particularly during Oct-Nov, in advance of the rains. With the floods having receded in most areas, the wildlife tends to become very concentrated around the few remaining water sources, making for very strong wildlife viewing. Boating activities may become less widely available except at those camps with access to permanent deepwater channels. If rainfall arrives, it is usually in the form of short showers and has little effect on safari. Some animals may disperse, but sightings remain strong. The majority of camps are significantly discounted during this period.

Jan-Apr is the main green season, when the area experiences the majority of its rainfall and temperatures and humidities have dropped. At this time the landscapes are green and beautiful with lots of babies around, providing a great contrast to the harshness of the dry season. Dec-Feb threatens the greatest chance of prolonged cloud and rain. As the seasonal waterholes become replenished, some animals disperse from the area in search of better grazing, but sightings remain strong. The majority of camps are significantly discounted throughout this season.

Getting there

Access to Okavango Moremi Central is by light aircraft from Maun and Kasane or other camp airstrips. Each camp is served by its own local airstrip.

subject to strict park regulations, unlike private concessions