The Khwai River marks the northern boundary of Moremi Game Reserve. On the south bank you are in the reserve; on the north bank you are in the Khwai Community Concession, a large area managed by the village of Khwai. The wildlife moves freely between the two, but the rules are different.
On community land, operators can run night drives, guided walks and limited off-road driving to follow predators — none of which is allowed inside Moremi. Combine that with the river’s dry-season elephant herds, resident leopards and frequently denning wild dogs, and Khwai has become one of the most rewarding corners of northern Botswana.
Top things to do: Khwai
Night drives with a spotlight
After dark the bush belongs to different animals: genet, civet, porcupine, honey badger, hyena and hunting lion and leopard. Night drives are one of Khwai’s big advantages over the national park next door.
Mokoro on the Khwai River
The community runs mokoro trips on the quieter backwaters of the river — a gentler, shallower version of the delta experience with excellent birdlife.
A multi-day mobile safari
Several operators base fully serviced mobile camps in Khwai. A five-day Khwai safari from Maun is one of the best-value ways to feel truly remote.
How to get to Khwai
- By road: roughly 3–4 hours from Maun via Shorobe and Mababe, or through Moremi via South Gate and North Gate. 4x4 only.
- By air: Khwai has its own airstrip served by light aircraft from Maun and Kasane.
- From Chobe: Khwai lies on the Maun–Savuti–Kasane route, making it a natural stop on a northern circuit.
Insider tips
- Khwai is at its best in the dry season (July–October), when the river is the only reliable water for miles.
- Community campsites and lodges are limited; book well ahead.
- Always drive with a guide if you want to go off-road or at night — self-drivers must stay on tracks and follow community rules.
- Crossing the North Gate bridge into Moremi requires paying national park fees.
Best tours & safaris: Khwai
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Khwai:
Mobile safari from €2023 From Maun: 5-Day Khwai Okavango Safari with Meals & Drinks
Khwai borders Moremi but is community land, where night drives and guided walks are possible in a way the reserve itself does not allow. This fully serviced mobile safari camps you there for four nights with meals and drinks included — a proper, unhurried safari on the edge of the delta.
- Fully serviced camp in the Khwai community area
- Small group, all meals and drinks
- Khwai allows night drives and walks
Camping safari from €2638 Maun: 6-Day Okavango, Savuti, Chobe & Victoria Falls Tour
The great northern Botswana overland in under a week: from Maun into the delta country, north through the predator territory of Savuti, along the Chobe River and out to Victoria Falls. It solves the logistics of linking the three big sights in one go, which on your own means flights or very long self-drive days.
- Okavango Delta, Savuti and the Chobe riverfront
- Finishes at Victoria Falls
- Camping with a guide and support crew
Game drive from €277 Okavango: Moremi Game Reserve Guided Safari Adventure
The best-rated way to see Moremi without committing to a camping safari. You leave Maun early, drive to the reserve’s South Gate and spend the day on the tracks around the floodplains and mopane woodland, with lunch in the bush. It is a long day — but Moremi is one of the finest game reserves in Africa.
- Full day of game driving in Moremi Game Reserve
- Open 4x4 vehicle with a local guide
- Chance of lion, leopard, elephant and wild dog
