Moremi National Park
Moremi National Park stretches 55 000 square kilometers and is one of the most diverse and beautiful nature reserves throughout Africa. It is situated on the eastern Okavango Delta in Botswana. Most of the areas in the park are protected and encompass almost the entire length and width of the park. The park comprises of contrasting areas of wild and lush vegetation and arid areas, as well as a large area of the Mopan Tong.
Since it was founded, the Moremi National Park has had the status of a game reserve. The reserve was named after the chief of the indigenous Bushmen tribe of the Mopane. The organization of the park did not take into account the local Bushmen that were residing in the Moremi National Park. In 1960, the government decided to burn all their settlements down, forcing the Bushmen to emigrate to the other side of the river Khwai.
To this day the villagers have a strong distrust towards the government of Botswana and there is currently talk of relocating the Bushmen once again. Otherwise the village is a tourist place where one can buy a cold drink or a of wicker baskets that has become a trademark of the Bushmen.
Today the Moremi National Park is considered one of the most valuable repositories of wildlife in Africa. The park comprises of Mopane and Acacia forests, valleys and lagoons in which the diversity of flora and fauna is incalculable. Moremi National Park was officially designated as a hunting reserve in April 1965. After several expansions of the protected areas, The Moremi National Park currently covers 20 percent of the Okavango Delta.
One of the attractions in the Moremi National Park is the Hippo Pool, which fully justifies its name. This lake is full of hippos, which can be seen from a special platform. This artaction is located near the ancient village of the Bushmen. The best time to visit the Moremi National Park is during the dry season from July to October, when the water level is constant.
Chief’s Island is probably the best place for visitors to the park. It comprises of several camping sites as well as adventure safaris. Among the best camps in the Moremi National Park is the Mombo Camp - one of the most expensive and most photographed, the Little Mombo, which offers all amenities for tourists, and the romantic and upbeat camp Xigera.
Today the main island is privately owned. The island was once the hunting grounds of the country's wealthiest citizens, and today continues to be considered a "protected area". Fauna in the Moremi National Park is probably the main attraction of this beautiful and fascinating scenery. Among the animals you might see while on a safari are elephants, buffalo, giraffes, lions, leopards, wild dogs, hyenas, jackals and a wide range of antelopes. During the wet season one could see the kingdom of migratory birds.
An interesting place to visit is the Xakanaxa Lagoon, which boasts a wide variety of fish. Here there are several permanent camps. On the northeastern edge of the Moremi National Park is the Khwai River, which is known for its large herds of elephants, which are a wonderful sight. Furthermore, a wide variety of predators and species, that are their prey.
