Moremi nature reserve. At the beginning of the 60s. of the last century, local residents of the Tawana tribe (tawana) voluntarily gave the land of Moremi (Moremi) under the reserve. Today it is known as one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Africa (5000 sq. km). It occupies a third of the Okavango Delta in its eastern part. The diverse natural environment of the reserve combines acacia thickets, iron tree forests, floodplains and lagoons. There are many species of birds ranging from aquatic to forest dwellers like the terrestrial hornbill. Moremi is the only protected area where they can be observed in natural conditions. Elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, jackals live in the reserve. There are many different species of antelope, including the red Lechwe (lechwe – lychee waterbuck) and the shy waterfowl sitatungu, perfectly adapted to life in the swamps. The most convenient time for observing animals is from July to October, when seasonal reservoirs dry up and all living things concentrate around permanent water sources on the Kwai River (Khwai), at the Third Bridge and in the Khakanah lagoon (Xakanaxa).
How to get there. Most delta lodges can only be reached from Maun by charter aircraft.
Makgadikgadi/Nxai Pan National Park. Makgadikgadi and Nhai Peng were two separate parks until 1993, which then merged into one reserve with an area of 7500 square meters. km. The gates to both parks are located on the highway leading through Maun and Nata. Fuel and food can be bought in the village of Gweta, 45 km west of Makgadikgadi Gate.
Makgadikgadi – a vast open area where small salt lakes during the dry winter turn into huge swampy areas in the rainy season. The salt lakes seen from space are the remnants of a huge lake that dried up thousands of years ago and left crystalline salt sparkling in its depressions. Being in Makgadikgadi is a chance to experience the full scale and expanse of the Kalahari. The entrance gate to the park is located about eight kilometers along a gravel country road after the exit from the main highway. Salt lakes occupy an area of about 10,000 square meters. km. Some of them are simply huge, others resemble small pools surrounded by green fields and palm trees. During the summer rains, the desert is transformed: countless flocks of water birds fly to shallow reservoirs. Huge flocks of flamingos and other water birds, including pelicans, gather on the newly formed lakes, followed by a spectacular wildebeest and zebra migration. The Makgadikgadi area includes many important evidence of the prehistoric past, as well as petrified lakes, where interesting archaeological finds have been found, such as stone tools that are about 300 thousand years old.
Nhai Peng is a grassy plain covered with thorn magnolias of the umbrella family and bands of African forest that change color with the seasons, from lush green during the summer months to golden yellow in autumn. Huge herds of herbivores graze in the grassy valleys in summer alongside their accompanying predators. The Great Baines’ Baobabs site – seven ancient trees – is immortalized in paintings by explorer Thomas Bayes. A separate part of the national park – the Nhai depression – is located 136 km east of Mon. The entrance gate is located 37 km from the main road of Mont-Nat, which must be reached along a sandy path. The Nhai Depression was once part of a large lake that covered central Botswana. During the rainy season, oryx, elephants, wildebeest and zebra come here in search of water during the breeding season. Their cubs learn to run and play among the mischievous springbok antelope. A breathtaking sight when springboks bounce vertically up into the air for no apparent reason, just expressing their joy. The best places for animal watching are around the watering hole, 2 km from the main entrance gate, where there is a large grassy plain under dense shady treetops. Giraffes, kudu, impala and large herds of springboks can be seen here, as well as in the nearby forests. This is one of the few areas where impala and springbok antelopes graze side by side. where there is a large grassy plain under dense shady treetops. Giraffes, kudu, impala and large herds of springboks can be seen here, as well as in the nearby forests. This is one of the few areas where impala and springbok antelopes graze side by side. where there is a large grassy plain under dense shady treetops. Giraffes, kudu, impala and large herds of springboks can be seen here, as well as in the nearby forests. This is one of the few areas where impala and springbok antelopes graze side by side.
How to get there. By air charter from Maun or land transfer over bad road from Maun (approximately three hours).
