Okavango Delta Bush Track
The Delta plays by its own rules.
The Okavango Delta isn’t a track you look up on a map and follow — it’s a route you negotiate with the land, and that negotiation changes every season as the annual flood pulse pushes in from Angola. The standard overland approach runs from Maun into the Moremi Game Reserve, picking up the North Gate and pushing into Chief’s Island territory via Xakanaxa and Khwai. Water crossings are the defining feature here: shallow channels that look tame can have soft, sucking black cotton soil bottoms that’ll bury a Land Cruiser to its axles in seconds if you read them wrong. Elephant encounters on the track are routine, not a highlight — slow down and give way every time.
Moremi is the access point and park entry fees apply for all nationalities. Self-drive is permitted but you need a high-clearance, well-equipped 4WD — a Land Cruiser 76 series or equivalent is the benchmark. Bring a winch, MaxTrax, a snatch block, and assume you’ll use them. Fuel from Maun is your last reliable source. The annual flood peaks between June and August, which is simultaneously the best game-viewing season and the most technical driving period. Designated campsites exist at Xakanaxa and Third Bridge — book through Botswana Tourism. No dispersed wild camping inside Moremi.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 112 mi / 180 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3280 ft |
| Best season | June-August |
| Minimum vehicle | Expedition 4WD with winch and recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Maun, Botswana |
| Land manager | Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Botswana |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | Botswana Tourism — Moremi Game Reserve |
| 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
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum vehicle setup to attempt this route?
A fully kitted expedition 4WD — high clearance, locking diffs, a winch rated to at least 9,000 lbs, and full recovery gear (traction boards, hi-lift, snatch block). A stock SUV or light 4x4 will get you killed or stranded. This is not a trail to test an unproven rig.
When is the Okavango Delta actually passable for vehicles?
June through August is the window — dry season keeps water levels manageable and tracks firm enough to drive. Outside that window, flood waters and saturated ground make most of this route impassable by vehicle, and some sections disappear entirely.
Do you need permits to drive through here, and where do you get them?
Yes. You need entry permits for Moremi Game Reserve, issued by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks — sort these out in Maun before you leave. Fees apply per vehicle and per person per day; driving in without permits risks heavy fines and ejection from the reserve.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually be ready for?
The channel crossings are where rigs get swallowed — water depth is unpredictable, bottoms are soft, and hippos are not optional hazards. Wade every crossing on foot first, know your diff-lock procedure cold, and keep momentum without being reckless. Recovery from a deep-water bog in big game country is a bad day on every level.
Is there any place to resupply fuel or water along the 180km route?
None. Maun is your last fuel stop — carry enough diesel for the full 180km plus a 30% buffer for sand driving, which burns fuel hard. Potable water does not exist on route; bring all drinking water from Maun and treat any sourced water from the Delta before using it.
Trail track
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