Too much rain
 

Hope no one is going to Moremi. This is going to put a damper on somebody's safari.

Moremi Game Reserve
Road conditions and restrictions on entry and usage

Due to the above average rainfalls being experienced generally accross
Ngamiland at the moment and the resultant high waterlevels on all the
floodplains within the Moremi Game Reserve in particular, the DWNP
feels
that it is necessary to take steps to minimise the damage to roads and
tracks.

These steps include:


*
The closure of the reserve to all self drive tourists until the
situation normalises.
*
The restriction of access by registred mobile operators to those
groups with existing bookings. Such groups to be allowed access with
standard 4x4 vehicles (i.e.) vehicles up to 3,500 kg) only, no heavy
vehicles will be allowed as these cause unnecessary damage to the roads
and tracks and place undue stresses on the pole bridges in the reserve.
*
The lodge operators in the reserve may continue to fly in their
clients, but the use of game drive vehicles should be limited as far as
possible and the alternative use of boat trips encouraged.
*
Deliveries of bulk supplies to the lodges should take cagnizance
of the restrictions on heavy vehicles.
*
All mobile and lodge operators should inform their guide staff
that extended driving on roads and tracks in the floodplain area's
which
are inundatd at present, should be avoided at all costs. (there is in
any case very little game to be seen on the inundated areas, as most
game has dispersed into the higher lying woodlands where food and water
resources are now freely available).
*
Local operators should note that the following routes in Moremi
Game Reserve are closed for any use:
+
from Dombo Hippo Pools to the T-junction on the
Maqwee-Xakanaxa road
+
all inundated roads and tracks on both the Khwai
east
and west floodplains
+
all inundated roads in the fourth bridge area and on
the Xini floodplain. Mobile operators should make use of the old MGR 14
site
*
The pole bridges at 3rd Bridge, 4th Bridge and Khwai are closed
for use.

This situation will be re-assessed regularly over the next few weeks
and
any alterations to these restrictions will be advised through this
office.

It is not practical to alter restrictions and use patterns with each
minor change in conditions between rainfalls and therefore the
foregoing
is a compromise. Please bear with us while the rains persist, these
restrictions may cause some short term inconvenience but are for all
our
benefits in the long run.

Thanks for the info.

Luckily I am not leaving before the middle of May and won't be visiting the Moremi Game Reserve.

Although it will affect gameviewing in May because water resources will still be plenty that time of year.

Greetings,

Johan

Thanks for the information. Can you share your source if it is available to the average person?

You mentioned Moremi in particular. Do you have info on other parts of the delta or other parts of Botswana?

This information is for members of HATAB in Botswana, so is not readily available to the public. This was pulled out of an email for another party who has made plans to go to Moremi. This should cover most of the Okavango that we would normally visit. In otherwords, water levels are high. I would assume most of the concession holders would also follow these general guidelines as good practice in order to preserve their exclusive concessions.

Wow!!! When we were there in December, it rained virtually every single day......i guess the rains have continued. Luckily, i will only be going back towards the end of August.

When do the rains, normally end? End March? or sometime in April?

I know parts of East Africa are under drought, but too much rain is just as bad.....

Thanks for the info. I'm concerned. My dad is taking me on the trip of a lifetime.

Capetown 3 nights (Welgelegen)
Vic Falls 2 nights (Royal Livingstone)
Safaris! :
Botswanna 2 nights (Chobe Chilwero)
2 nights (Nxabega)
2 nights (Sandibe)

We are so looking forward to Botswana. Ought we change parts of our trip - if we even could?

I've barely had any time to research things between working and my family. He planned everything with an agent.

We arrive Capetown on April 2.

karen

Hi Karen
In the okavango, you will fly between camps. I sent you some google earth images of the camps and also the tracks in Moremi that are mentioned. It is access between camps via tracks that is the problem unless you are flying, taking a boat, or driving Bigfoot. Although I haven't been to the camps, can't see a good reason to change. Its all part of the seasons and flooding is part of it. This year more than others.

Hi..........We are booked for March 27-April-3......... Visiting Stanley's, Chiefs Camp in Moremi......We feel this is normal for this time of year We believe if you have good trackers and guides that seek out animals in the woodlands it is very exciting.....Botswana is very beautiful this time of the year. I do appreciate your comments....

The key thing to know is that it is the mobile safaris that will be affected the most. People who are leaving on those camping safaris going into Moremi and Kwai River(near North Gate).

The permanent camps are not the issue here.

Thanks for the clarification! I feel much better now. I do hope we'll have good opportunities for sightings.

Karen

Karen,

Be sure to report back on that trip of a lifetime.

"The key thing to know is that it is the mobile safaris that will be affected the most."

My itinerary isn't until June. Should I still contact the TA and ask if they are/or will make changes? Thank you!

First, check with the operator, and ask if they are planning any changes to your itinerary due to the possibililty of continued flooding.

So now that I settled down and am looking forward to our trip, it seems our plans have changed. I don't think my dad changed them without telling me. I haven't had a chance yet to look into the new places.

We both just want to get to see lots of game. Birds aren't of interest. An opportuntiy for water activites would be nice, but not paramount. We are looking for a posh experience, too.

Original plans:
Capetown 3 nights (Welgelegen)
Vic Falls 2 nights (Royal Livingstone)
Safaris! :
Botswanna 2 nights (Chobe Chilwero)
2 nights (Nxabega)
2 nights (Sandibe)

Itinerary I received in the mail today:
Capetown 3 nights (Welgelegen)
Vic Falls 1 nights (The River Club)
Safaris! :
Botswanna 3 nights (Duba Plains)
2 nights (Nxabega)
1 nights (Baines Camp)
and Moremi Wildlife Reserve - elephant activity (hmmm?)

What do you think??
Should I post this itinery to another thread?

Karen