1-Day Moremi Game Reserve Safari from Maun with Xini Lagoon

1 Day Round trip from Maun Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Early-start full-day Moremi safari from Maun, timed for prime wildlife activity
02 Game drives through productive southwestern areas including Xini Lagoon and Black Pools
03 Excellent chances to spot elephants, Cape buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, tsessebe, and red lechwe
04 Look out for predators like lions and leopards, with the possibility of endangered African wild dogs
05 Scenic picnic lunch break inside the reserve at a designated safe stop

Set off before dawn from Maun for a full-day safari into the spectacular Moremi Game Reserve, one of the Okavango Delta's most wildlife-rich areas. After crossing the Buffalo Fence and entering at South Gate (Maqwee), spend the day exploring a rewarding mix of floodplains, lagoons, and mopane woodland, especially around Xini Lagoon and the Black Pools. Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch at an authorized stop, then continue game driving through changing waterways and open plains as you track elephants, buffalo, hippos, and predators before returning to Maun in the early evening.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Shared

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Maun, Moremi game reserve, Okavango Delta

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Full-Day Moremi Safari via Xini Lagoon and Black Pools

Daily Itinerary Timeline

05:30 AM - Departure from Maun: Start early to avoid traffic and reach the gate while predators are still active.
06:30 AM - Cross the Buffalo Fence: This veterinary checkpoint separates livestock from the wilderness, and wildlife sightings often begin right here.
07:30 AM - Arrive at South Gate (Maqwee): Stretch your legs, enjoy a quick bush coffee or tea, and complete the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) entry formalities.
08:00 AM - 12:30 PM - Morning Game Drive: Focus on the highly productive southwestern sections, such as Xini Lagoon and Black Pools, which offer rich combinations of floodplains and mopane woodlands.
12:30 PM - 02:00 PM - Scenic Picnic Lunch: Relax at an authorized, safe park stretch point or designated campsite and enjoy a packed lunch.
02:00 PM - 04:30 PM - Afternoon Game Drive: Slowly loop back toward the gate, tracking elephants, hippos, or lounging predators along changing water pathways.
05:00 PM - Exit Park & Return Drive: Head back past the Buffalo Fence toward Maun.
06:30 PM - 07:00 PM - Arrival in Maun: Drop-off at your lodge in time for dinner and sunset drinks.

What Wildlife to Expect

Because Moremi blends permanent Okavango Delta waterways with dry savannas, the biodiversity is exceptional. During a single day trip, you have a strong chance of seeing:

The Giants: Large herds of African elephants and Cape buffalo.
The Predators: Lion prides and leopards resting in the mopane branches, with a lucky chance of spotting endangered African wild dogs.
Plains Game: Giraffes, zebras, blue wildebeests, tsessebes, and water-adapted red lechwes.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Maun 3 cities · 1 Day

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Hotel Transfers: Early morning pickup and late afternoon drop-off at your lodge or accommodation in Maun.
Park Entry Fees: All official Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) concession and conservation fees for Moremi.
Transportation: A specialized open-top or open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle designed for wildlife viewing and photography.
Guide Services: An experienced, licensed professional safari guide/driver who tracks wildlife and explains local ecology.
Meals & Refreshments: Usually a breakfast-to-go or bush breakfast, a picnic lunch inside the reserve, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and bottled water.

What's Not Included

Travel Insurance: Comprehensive medical, evacuation, or trip cancellation insurance.
Alcoholic Drinks: Beer, wine, or spirits (unless specifically stated in a higher-end package).
Gratuities: Tips for your safari guide and driver.
Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, personal toiletries, laundry, or extra snacks or beverages.
Extra Transit: Flights to Maun, airport-to-hotel transfers, or accommodation in Maun the night before or after.

Know before you go

Because Moremi is located roughly 100 kilometres northeast of Maun, a successful day trip requires an exceptionally early start to maximize game viewing before the midday heat slows down wildlife activity.
The drive to the closest park entrance (South Gate) takes under two hours.
While the first stretch from Maun is tarred, the road changes to a rough, unpaved sand track after the village of Shorobe, making a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle absolutely mandatory.

Logistics