Okavango Delta Maun to Moremi Circuit
Sand, floods, and wild Africa unfenced.
The Okavango Delta doesn’t care about your schedule. This circuit out of Maun into Moremi Game Reserve — one of Africa’s premier wildlife areas — runs roughly 400km of deep sand, flooded causeways, and mopane woodland two-track that will test every bit of your vehicle’s prep and your own patience. South Gate is the primary entry point; from there the track loops north through Xakanaxa Camp area to Third Bridge, one of the most famous bush campsites on the continent — a rickety wooden bridge over a hippo channel where elephants walk through camp at night. The Khwai River crossing near the northern boundary is seasonal and can be axle-deep to door-handle deep depending on the flood cycle. Timing is everything here — the annual Okavango flood pulse out of Angola dictates what’s crossable and what isn’t.
Moderate to Difficult rating depending on season, but don’t let that fool you. Deep Kalahari sand, unbridged water crossings, and no cell service make self-sufficiency non-negotiable. Two spare tyres minimum, a full complement of recovery gear, and a good sand anchor. Entry fees and campsite bookings for Moremi go through Botswana’s DWNP — book camps months ahead, especially Third Bridge. Dry season June through October gives the best game viewing and most manageable tracks. Green season November through April is for experienced desert-flood navigators only. What you earn: the raw, unfiltered Okavango — Africa without the fences.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 248 mi / 400 km |
| Duration | 4-6 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3200 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with dual spares and full recovery kit |
| Nearest town | Maun, Botswana |
| Land manager | Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | DWNP Botswana – Moremi Game Reserve |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser 200 handle this route without modifications?
A stock LC200 with good all-terrain tires can manage the route, but you need dual spares minimum — sand tracks and hidden stumps eat tires. A snorkel is strongly recommended given the depth and unpredictability of water crossings, and a high-lift jack plus full recovery kit (traction boards, kinetic rope) are non-negotiable out here.
What happens to the trail during the wet season and when does flooding peak?
November through April is wet season and large sections become impassable — flood levels in the delta can rise meters above dry-season tracks. Flood waters from Angola actually peak in Moremi around June-July, which paradoxically overlaps with the best driving window; crossing depths and track conditions change week to week, so check current conditions with operators in Maun before departure.
What permits do you need and where do you get them?
You need an entry permit for Moremi Game Reserve, issued by the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) — pay at the South Gate or North Gate entrance. As of recent years, fees run roughly 120-150 BWP per person per day plus a vehicle fee; confirm current rates at dwnp.gov.bw before you go because fees have changed.
What's the hardest section of the circuit and what makes it genuinely dangerous?
The tracks between Third Bridge and Xakanaxa are the most punishing — deep sand, submerged roots, and water crossings where hippos are present and crossing depth is unknown until you're in it. Vehicles get swallowed in soft sand mid-crossing and a solo rig here is a serious problem; running with at least one other vehicle is not paranoia, it's just sense.
Is there anywhere to refuel or resupply between Maun and the end of the circuit?
No — there is zero fuel or resupply inside Moremi. Maun is your last fuel stop before departure and you need to calculate your full 400km range plus a significant safety buffer for the extra fuel burned in deep sand. Most experienced rigs running this route carry jerry cans for a minimum of 500km total range.
Trail track
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