Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
With the recent reintroduction of the rhinos, Moremi is now home to the Big Five
(lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos), and notably the largest population of red
lechwe
in the whole of Africa. The reserve also protects one of the largest remaining pop-
ulations of endangered African wild dogs. Birding in Moremi is also incredibly varied and
rich, and it's arguably the best place in Africa to view the rare and secretive Pel's fishing
owl.
Entry fees to the reserve should be paid for in advance at the DWNP office in Maun, al-
though they can be paid at the gate if you have no other choice. Self-drivers will,
however, only be allowed entry to the reserve if they have a confirmed reservation at one
of the four public campsites.
If you're coming from Maun, the reserve entrance is located at South (Maqwee) Gate,
about 99km north of Maun via Shorobe. From Kasane and the east, a track links Chobe
National Park with the other gate at North (Khwai) Gate.
The village of Khwai has a couple of shops that sell basic supplies. Otherwise, petrol
and supplies are only available in Kasane and Maun.
THE CARNIVORE CHAIN OF COMMAND
By far the largest African carnivore, the lion sits pretty much unchallenged at the top of the pecking order and is
usually able to kill anything it can get hold of, including other predators. Adult lions usually only worry about
other lions, though large hyena clans occasionally kill injured or adolescent lions, and they're certainly able to
drive small prides from their kills.
Hyenas also trail after other predators in the hopes of getting a free meal. At Moremi, it's fairly common to see
spotted hyena clans trailing African wild dogs on the hunt. Again, strength in numbers is a key factor: a few hyen-
as can lord over an entire pack of wild dogs, though a single hyena is easily harassed into retreating. Coincident-
ally, both hyena clans and wild-dog packs dominate leopards, but individuals do so at their peril as leopards will
occasionally bring down a lone hyena or wild dog.
At the very bottom of the hierarchy is the world's fastest land predator, the cheetah. By sacrificing brute force
for incredible speed, cheetahs are simply unable to overpower other predators. Nor can they afford the risk of in-
jury and invariably give way to other super-predators, regardless of numbers.
Sights
Chief's Island
ISLAND
