Moremi Game Reserve Bush Track — Xakanaxa to Third Bridge via the Okavango Delta Flood Plain
Sand, floods, and elephant right-of-way.
Moremi Game Reserve occupies the eastern portion of the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana, and the tracks connecting Xakanaxa Camp to Third Bridge are as close to proper expedition driving as you’ll find inside a wildlife reserve. The route is unmaintained, seasonally flooded, and shared with hippos, elephants, and buffalo who have no interest in yielding. Third Bridge itself — a hand-poled pontoon crossing over a papyrus channel — is an experience that will stay with you. Between those two points you’ll navigate deep Kalahari sand, submerged track sections during high-water (typically May through August), and singletrack through dense mopane woodland where the vegetation brushes both mirrors simultaneously.
This is serious bush driving. A stock rental SUV will get you into trouble you cannot recover from alone. You need a purpose-built 4WD with a snorkel, recovery boards, a hi-lift jack, tow straps, and ideally a second vehicle. Sand tyres or aggressive all-terrains are mandatory — road tyres are a liability. High-water season floods sections completely; the route is most reliably open July through October post-peak flood. Park fees apply at Moremi and must be paid at the South Gate or Khwai entry. Fuel and supplies from Maun, 100 kilometres to the southwest, before entry — there is nothing inside. What you earn is unfenced wilderness driving with big-five sightings measured in minutes, not hours.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 47 mi / 76 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3100 ft |
| Best season | July-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Snorkeled high-clearance 4WD with recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Maun, Botswana |
| Land manager | Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), Botswana |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | Botswana DWNP Botswana Tourism — Moremi |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
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Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum vehicle setup to drive Xakanaxa to Third Bridge?
You need a snorkeled, high-clearance 4WD — non-negotiable. The water crossings can swallow a standard Land Cruiser roof if you hit them at the wrong flood stage, and deep sand sections will strand anything without aggressive all-terrains and a full recovery kit including high-lift jack, traction boards, and a snatch block.
When is this route actually passable, and what happens in the wet season?
July through October is the reliable window — flood waters are receding and tracks are at their most defined. During the wet season (November–April), much of the route is fully inundated and impassable; even in the shoulder months, crossing depths are unpredictable and change day to day.
Do you need a permit to drive through Moremi, and where do you get it?
Yes — a park entry permit is required, issued by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP). Pay at the gate (Xakanaxa or South Gate) in cash; rates are per person and per vehicle per day, and fees have increased significantly in recent years, so check current pricing at dwnp.gov.bw before you leave Maun.
What's the hardest section of this route and what should I actually expect?
The flood plain crossings between Xakanaxa and Third Bridge are the crux — you'll wade through standing water of unknown depth with soft mud underneath, often with no way to see the track ahead. Elephant and hippo encounters mid-crossing are real, not dramatic; you do not have right-of-way and you cannot reverse quickly in chest-deep water.
How far is the nearest fuel from the trail, and can I resupply anywhere along the route?
Maun is your last reliable fuel stop before entering the reserve — roughly 100km from Xakanaxa gate — and there is zero resupply inside Moremi. Carry minimum 50% extra fuel beyond your calculated range, plus all food and water for the full 2-3 days; there are no services, no cell signal, and no one coming quickly if you run dry.
Trail track
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