Moremi Game Reserve

🇧🇼 Botswana

🦁 Lion Pride Roams Moremi's Floodplains
🌍 #13 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #9 in Africa #1 in Wetlands & Mangrove
Southern Africa, Botswana 878 spp. recorded

Moremi Game Reserve sits in Botswana as a protected wetland sanctuary, covering permanent rivers, shallow floodplains, and dense reed beds. This lush aquatic terrain differs from dry surrounding reserves by relying on seasonal floodwaters that submerge grassy floodplains and feed winding channels.

-19.371° S   23.444° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

60–70% · Likely
Southern Giraffe ★

Southern Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa giraffa

60–70% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus ★
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Blacksmith Lapwing
LC

Blacksmith Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus armatus

70–80% · Very likely
Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

70–80% · Very likely
African Jacana
LC

African Jacana

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Actophilornis africanus

60–70% · Likely
Burchell's Glossy-starling
LC

Burchell's Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis australis

60–70% · Likely
African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

60–70% · Likely
Red-billed Francolin
LC

Red-billed Francolin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pternistis adspersus

60–70% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

60–70% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

60–70% · Likely
Lechwe

Lechwe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus leche

50–60% · Likely
Southern Red-billed Hornbill

Southern Red-billed Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tockus rufirostris

50–60% · Likely
Pied Kingfisher
LC

Pied Kingfisher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ceryle rudis

50–60% · Likely
Little Bee-eater
LC

Little Bee-eater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Merops pusillus

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

60–70% · Likely
Southern Giraffe ★

Southern Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa giraffa

60–70% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus ★
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Lechwe

Lechwe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus leche

50–60% · Likely
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

50–60% · Likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

50–60% · Likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

50–60% · Likely
Tsessebe
LC

Tsessebe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Damaliscus lunatus

40–50% · Likely
Leopard
VU Endemic

Leopard

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera pardus

40–50% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

40–50% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

40–50% · Likely
Blue Wildebeest
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

40–50% · Likely
Smith's Bush Squirrel
LC

Smith's Bush Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Paraxerus cepapi

40–50% · Likely
Spotted Hyena
LC

Spotted Hyena

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Crocuta crocuta

40–50% · Likely
Painted Hunting Dog
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Blacksmith Lapwing
LC

Blacksmith Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus armatus

70–80% · Very likely
Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

70–80% · Very likely
African Jacana
LC

African Jacana

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Actophilornis africanus

60–70% · Likely
Burchell's Glossy-starling
LC

Burchell's Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis australis

60–70% · Likely
African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

60–70% · Likely
Red-billed Francolin
LC

Red-billed Francolin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pternistis adspersus

60–70% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

60–70% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

60–70% · Likely
Southern Red-billed Hornbill

Southern Red-billed Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tockus rufirostris

50–60% · Likely
Pied Kingfisher
LC

Pied Kingfisher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ceryle rudis

50–60% · Likely
Little Bee-eater
LC

Little Bee-eater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Merops pusillus

50–60% · Likely
Red-eyed Dove
LC

Red-eyed Dove

☀️🌙 Day & Night Bird

Streptopelia semitorquata

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

40–50% · Likely
Wahlberg’s Striped Skink

Wahlberg’s Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis wahlbergii

30–40% · Possible
Nile Monitor
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

20–30% · Possible
Leopard Tortoise
LC

Leopard Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stigmochelys pardalis

20–30% · With luck
Flap-necked Chameleon
LC

Flap-necked Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Chamaeleo dilepis

10–20% · With luck
Southern African Python
LC

Southern African Python

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Python natalensis

10–20% · With luck
Fischer's Thick-toed Gecko
LC

Fischer's Thick-toed Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Chondrodactylus laevigatus

10–20% · With luck
Rock Monitor
LC

Rock Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus albigularis

5–10% · With luck
Stripe-bellied Sand Snake
LC

Stripe-bellied Sand Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Psammophis subtaeniatus

5–10% · With luck
Helmeted Turtle

Helmeted Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelomedusa subrufa

5–10% · With luck
Puff Adder
LC

Puff Adder

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Bitis arietans

5–10% · With luck
Spotted Bush Snake
LC

Spotted Bush Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Philothamnus semivariegatus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Angolan Reed Frog
LC

Angolan Reed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Hyperolius parallelus

20–30% · Possible
Red-Banded Rubber Frog
LC

Red-Banded Rubber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Phrynomantis bifasciatus

Insufficient data
Grey Foam-nest Treefrog
LC

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis xerampelina

Insufficient data
Edible bullfrog
LC

Edible bullfrog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Pyxicephalus edulis

Insufficient data
Nile Ridged Frog
LC

Nile Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena nilotica

Insufficient data
Giant bullfrog
LC

Giant bullfrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Pyxicephalus adspersus

Insufficient data
Spotted ridged frog
LC

Spotted ridged frog

Amphibian

Ptychadena subpunctata

Insufficient data
Guinea Snout-burrower
LC

Guinea Snout-burrower

Amphibian

Hemisus guineensis

Insufficient data
Mozambique ridged frog
LC

Mozambique ridged frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena mossambica

Insufficient data
Painted Reed Frog
LC

Painted Reed Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hyperolius marmoratus

Insufficient data
Power's Toad
LC

Power's Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Sclerophrys poweri

Insufficient data
African Clawed Frog
LC

African Clawed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Xenopus laevis

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Okavango Delta Floods Peak

JunJulAugNov

The annual floodwaters from Angola transform Moremi into a vibrant wetland, drawing massive herds of lechwe and elephants to graze on newly sprouted grasses, while hippos wallow in flooded pans.

Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

50–60% · Likely
African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
Lechwe

Lechwe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus leche

50–60% · Likely
🦌

Lion Prides on the Prowl

JulOctNov

During the dry season, lions congregate near water sources, forming large prides that hunt cooperatively. Their roars echo across the floodplains at dawn and dusk, a spine-tingling hallmark of Moremi's wild character.

Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

60–70% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

40–50% · Likely
Lechwe

Lechwe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus leche

50–60% · Likely
🦎

Birding Extravaganza: African Hoopoe Flocks

FebMayJulOctNov

Moremi's skies come alive with the striking black-and-white plumage of Upupa africana (African Hoopoe) during seasonal migrations. Their distinctive 'hoo-hoo-hoo' calls fill the air as they forage for insects in open woodlands and floodplains.

Helmeted Turtle

Helmeted Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelomedusa subrufa

5–10% · With luck
Wahlberg’s Striped Skink

Wahlberg’s Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis wahlbergii

30–40% · Possible
African Hoopoe

African Hoopoe

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Upupa africana

30–40% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
African Bush Elephant
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
40–50
Lion
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
Southern Giraffe
30–40
30–40
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
50–60
Common Hippopotamus
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
70–80
50–60
Blacksmith Lapwing
70–80
50–60
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
90–100
Lilac-breasted Roller
80–90
60–70
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
African Jacana
60–70
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
60–70
80–90
Burchell's Glossy-starling
60–70
50–60
80–90
50–60
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
80–90
African Fish-Eagle
60–70
40–50
80–90
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
90–100
Red-billed Francolin
70–80
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
70–80
70–80
Cape Turtle Dove
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
Fork-tailed Drongo
60–70
30–40
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
Lechwe
30–40
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
Southern Red-billed Hornbill
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
70–80
Pied Kingfisher
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
Little Bee-eater
60–70
40–50
70–80
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
40–50
70–80
Animal Events
🦌 Okavango Delta Floods Peak
🦌 Lion Prides on the Prowl
🦎 Birding Extravaganza: African Hoopoe Flocks

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🦁 Lion Pride Roams Moremi's Floodplains

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
581
🐒 Mammals
152
🦎 Reptiles
100
🐸 Amphibians
45
878 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
31 Threatened 9 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
66%
📊
Coverage (239 species at ≥5% of 878 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
27%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 4 mammal)
46% Global avg
59%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
185
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
44
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
49

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Moremi Game Reserve?

The most likely sightings are Blacksmith Lapwing (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Lilac-breasted Roller (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), African Jacana (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Burchell's Glossy-starling (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), African Fish-Eagle (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 878 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Moremi Game Reserve for wildlife?

December has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see African Bush Elephant in Moremi Game Reserve?

Yes — about 65% of wildlife watchers report a African Bush Elephant sighting in Moremi Game Reserve, based on 187 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Lion in Moremi Game Reserve?

Yes — about 61% of wildlife watchers report a Lion sighting in Moremi Game Reserve, based on 161 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Southern Giraffe in Moremi Game Reserve?

Yes — about 61% of wildlife watchers report a Southern Giraffe sighting in Moremi Game Reserve, based on 160 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Common Hippopotamus in Moremi Game Reserve?

Yes — about 58% of wildlife watchers report a Common Hippopotamus sighting in Moremi Game Reserve, based on 142 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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