Bird watching at Khwai River Lodge

This camp is set on the banks of the Khwai river which during the dry months of the year is the only source of permanent water in the whole area. This area is most famous for its raptor populations - Martiale Agles, Secretary Birds, Bateleurs and a whole host of little Raptors comprise the main feature of this area. There are wonderful water birds to be found along the Khwai river and this river is fairly open and makes for easy birding, birds to look out for are Purple Gallinule, Saddle Billed Stork, Black Stork, Kingfishers, Slatey Egret and a whole host of little Waders.

Surrounding woodland comprises mainly of Mopane and there are a number of birds to look out for here; a big special for the area is the Arnot's Chat and Hartlub's Babblers. A trip up to Xaxanka ("kakanika") is also a worthwhile trip as this takes you up onto part of the permanent swamp. Khwai boasts over 300 species and is well worth the trip, recommended stay at this camp is two nights. Khwai is also our flagship camp in so far as game is concerned; you are guaranteed to see almost all of your large mammal species and it is a first class destination to try and find that elusive leopard.

A three night stay at Khwai River Lodge is recommended to take in all the beauty and wildlife in the area.

1964 saw the start of the reserve with nine game guards, three Land Rovers and a five ton lorry. In the beginning tourism was slow, with gate receipts for 1966 totalling P785 (this is now the price that two adults with one vehicle will pay per night to stay in a Moremi public campsite).

The early 1970's, however, saw a rapid increase in tourism with 4,500 visitors in 1971. In the late 1970's the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) became responsible for management and the government for administration, enabling the government to take a share of gate revenues. The reserve was initially extended in 1976 to include Chief's Island and again in 1992 increasing the reserve from 3875 to 4871 sq. km.

Although the reserve is the only statutorily protected part of the Okavango Delta, it is surrounded by a buffer zone of land, which is carefully controlled in terms of wildlife management. The reserve itself is also unfenced therefore allowing free movement of animals within the Delta according to seasonal migrations. Moremi now extends east and northwards to join Chobe National Park, ensuring a continuous area of protected land all the way to Kasane.