4-Day Gomoti River Lodge Safari 2026

Your day begins at dawn with a gentle wake-up call at your lodge, followed by a light pre-departure breakfast. As the sun warms the delta, you depart on your morning game drive into the iconic NG34/35 area, renowned for its diverse habitats. Along the way, your guide shares insights into the local flora, fauna, and conservation efforts.

You travel toward South Gate, passing through dense vegetation between NG34 and NG35—a stretch offering excellent opportunities to spot wildlife moving between feeding and resting areas. At South Gate, park entry formalities are completed before continuing along the historic “old cutline road” to Khwai through expansive mopane forests. While not a high-density game area, this region often presents sightings of elephants, buffalo, and rarer species such as eland, sable, and occasionally roan antelope.

Mid-morning, you pause for a picnic breakfast beneath a tree, soaking in the tranquility of the wilderness. Approaching the village of Khwai, you glimpse traditional local life before arriving at Khwai Molapo to check in and settle into your accommodation. The afternoon is at leisure, with time to relax, enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool, and a light lunch.

• Images

Credit: Anthony Cavill-Taylor

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Anthony Cavill-Taylor

Credit: Anthony Cavill-Taylor

Credit: Anthony Cavill-Taylor

Credit: Anthony Cavill-Taylor

Credit: Anthony Cavill-Taylor

Your journey begins with a warm welcome at Maun International Airport, where our team assists with your luggage and provides a briefing on the day’s route. Before departure, your guide offers an engaging overview of the areas you will travel through, highlighting points of interest and sharing insights about Botswana’s landscapes, culture, and wildlife.

As you leave Maun, the modern town with its bustling streets and markets soon gives way to rural outskirts, where ploughed fields, grazing livestock, and scattered settlements offer a glimpse into daily life. Your guide’s commentary enriches the journey with stories and context about the communities you pass.

Your first stop is the village of Shorobe to visit a women’s basket-weaving collective, meeting local artisans and learning about their craft while supporting a remarkable initiative.

Continuing along sandy road through the Mopani belt. . As the road narrows into a rural two-track, you enter the Greater Okavango Delta. The landscape transforms—Mopani woodlands, mixed forests, open savanna, and waterways unfold, with wildlife becoming part of the classic Okavango experience.

Upon arrival at camp, you are welcomed with a refreshing drink and a property tour, with staff assisting with luggage and check-in for a smooth transition from travel to relaxation.

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Shorobe Credit: Anthony Cavill-Taylor

Tar ends and wilderness begins Credit: Anthony Cavill-Taylor

Full-day game drives offer an immersive safari experience, combining morning and afternoon excursions with a picnic breakfast and lunch in the bush. Departing early, shortly after guests have enjoyed a morning brew with biscuits and snacks, the safari vehicles—specially adapted with canvas roofs and open sides—provide unobstructed views of the bush. All drives are led by qualified local guides, experts in the region and its ecosystems.

Guests explore the NG35 concession and beyond, taking advantage of the cooler morning temperatures and soft light. The drive traverses a mosaic of habitats—from open grasslands and mopane woodlands to riverine forests, seasonal floodplains, and permanent water—supporting an incredible variety of wildlife. Early hours are ideal for observing predators such as lions, leopards, and wild dogs, with regular stops for coffee breaks and wildlife viewing.

A picnic breakfast in the bush allows guests to relax before continuing the day’s exploration, covering a larger area than typical half-day drives. After a midday pause, guests enjoy a picnic lunch before the afternoon drive, often spotting elephants and other wildlife near water. The drive provides fresh perspectives of the bush and concludes with a return to camp in the late afternoon.

• Images

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

After enjoying a high tea with sweet and savory treats, juices, or tea and coffee, afternoon game drives commence, led by our local, qualified guides. The safari vehicles are open-sided with canvas roofs, providing excellent visibility and a close connection to the bush.

Guests travel into the NG35 concession, exploring a rich mosaic of habitats—from open grasslands and mopane woodlands to riverine forests, seasonal floodplains, and permanent watercourses. This diversity of vegetation and water sources supports an equally impressive variety of wildlife, making the area one of the very best for game viewing.
Afternoons offer a completely different perspective of the wilderness, with more wildlife gathering at water sources. In the late afternoon, guests are treated to the golden light of the Okavango Delta as temperatures begin to cool and wildlife activity intensifies once more. The drive traverses the concession’s varied habitats, providing opportunities to spot both plains game and predators.

As the sun begins to set, drives often pause for classic bush sundowners, allowing guests to soak in the breathtaking scenery over the floodplains. As darkness falls, nocturnal species begin to emerge, adding an exciting new dimension to the safari experience.

• Images

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Jack Uellendahl Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Jack Uellendahl Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Morning game drives depart early, shortly after guests have enjoyed a fresh morning brew along with biscuits and light snacks. The safari vehicles—specially adapted with canvas roofs and otherwise open sides—provide unobstructed views of the bush, perfect for spotting wildlife. All drives are led by qualified local guides, experts with deep knowledge of the region and its ecosystems.

Guests travel into the NG35 concession, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and soft morning light. They explore a mosaic of habitats—from open grasslands and mopane woodlands to riverine forests, seasonal floodplains, and permanent watercourses. This diversity of vegetation and water brings an impressive variety of wildlife, making the area one of the very best for game viewing.

The early hours are particularly special for observing predators such as lions, leopards, and wild dogs as they begin their hunts, while elephants, buffalo, and other herbivores gather at waterholes. Knowledgeable guides ensure guests can enjoy extended time at wildlife encounters, witnessing the bush come alive in the morning.
Regular stops are incorporated throughout the drive, including a morning coffee break and wildlife viewing pauses. As the day warms, the drive returns to the lodge for breakfast and some well-deserved downtime before afternoon activities.

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Game drive Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Guide explaining Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Elephants Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Hippo Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Zebra Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Lioness & cub Credit: Jack Uellendahl

The full-day Moremi Game Reserve safari has become one of our signature experiences, offering an immersive journey into one of Africa’s most iconic wilderness areas. The day begins early with tea, coffee, and light snacks before departing at first light, game driving all the way toward South Gate. Along the way, guests experience a diverse range of vegetation, setting the tone for the day’s varied wildlife encounters.

At South Gate, there is a comfort stop followed by a relaxed picnic breakfast before continuing deeper into the southwestern regions of Moremi. Areas such as Xini and the Black Pools are renowned for their rich mix of habitats, permanent water sources, and exceptional wildlife diversity, often resulting in outstanding game sightings.

Around midday, the drive pauses beneath the shade of a large tree for a leisurely picnic lunch in the heart of the bush. Thereafter, the safari continues with further game viewing as you explore this remarkable landscape.

The day concludes with a scenic return to camp in the late afternoon, rounding off a truly memorable full-day safari in the Moremi Game Reserve.

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Full Day Moremi Game drive Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Lions Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Hippo Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Cheetah Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Boating in Xakanaxa is an exceptional experience and forms part of a full-day safari into the Moremi Game Reserve, combining both land and water exploration of the Okavango Delta.

The day begins early with tea, coffee, and a light snack before setting off on a morning game drive toward South Gate. After a comfort stop—and possibly a picnic breakfast—you continue into the Xakanaxa region, known for its rich wildlife and scenic waterways.

Here, the experience shifts from land to water with a one-and-a-half to two-hour boat excursion through the permanent channels of the Okavango Delta. Glide through narrow reed-lined waterways, open lagoons, wider channels, and around lush islands, offering a completely different perspective of this unique ecosystem. The boating experience provides excellent opportunities to see aquatic birds, hippos, crocodiles, and other wildlife that thrive in this water-based environment.

Following the boat excursion, you enjoy a picnic lunch before beginning your journey back. The return drive offers further chances for wildlife sightings, rounding off what is truly an unforgettable and diverse safari day.

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Boating at Xakanaxa Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Elephant Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Xakanaxa Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Water Lily Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Birds Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Night Drives

A lesser-known fact is that over 30% of the wildlife in the region is strictly nocturnal—species rarely seen during the day. Night drives offer an entirely different perspective on the bush, revealing creatures that remain hidden in daylight. These include various owl species, bush babies—a small nocturnal primate—and lesser cat species such as wildcats and servals. Animal behavior at night is also fascinatingly different, offering unique insights into hunting, social interactions, and other activities rarely observed during daylight.

Night drives typically depart after dinner and last around two hours. Led by our expert guides, guests explore the wilderness with the aid of powerful spotlights, allowing for close observation of nocturnal wildlife. This immersive experience provides an unforgettable glimpse into the secretive lives of predators, small mammals, and other creatures that only emerge after dark.

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Leopard Night Drive Credit: Christophe Courteau

Owl Credit: Christophe Courteau

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Credit: Christophe Courteau

Birding at Gomoti River Lodge is a richly rewarding experience, both within the lodge’s grounds and while out on expertly guided game drives. Set along the seasonal Gomoti River in the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta, the lodge is surrounded by a mosaic of habitats—from seasonal wetlands and lily-dotted lagoons to dense riverine forests and open woodlands—each providing a haven for a remarkable variety of birdlife. In camp, early mornings are filled with the melodic calls of white-browed robin-chats and the drumming of woodpeckers, while African paradise flycatchers flit through the trees and malachite kingfishers perch at the water’s edge. The diversity of species observable without even leaving camp is astounding, making it a birdwatcher’s sanctuary.

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Pygmy Goose Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Heron Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Ibis Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Heron Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Raptor Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Bee- Eater Credit: Jack Uellendahl

At Gomoti River Lodge , sundowners are more than just a ritual—they are a celebration of the African day’s end, embraced in true Botswana style. As the golden hour begins to stretch across the sky, guests are whisked away to carefully chosen vantage points—perhaps a quiet bend along the river or a sandy rise with uninterrupted views of the Okavango floodplains. There, with a chilled drink in hand and the sounds of the bush around you, the magic of the wilderness comes alive.

It’s a moment to pause and take in the theatre of nature—the deepening colours, the silhouettes of elephants in the distance, and the calls of night creatures beginning their shift. Whether it’s a classic gin and tonic or a local favourite, every sip tastes richer against the backdrop of a fiery African sunset.

At Losika, sundowners are thoughtfully curated: comfortable seating, lanterns glowing softly as darkness falls, and your guide sharing stories of the land. It’s not just a drink; it’s a memory being made—an unforgettable close to a day on safari.

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Sundowners Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Sundowners Credit: Jack Uellendahl

The mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe once used by indigenous communities of the Okavango Delta to navigate shallow floodplains and winding channels, remains one of the most iconic and intimate ways to explore this unique ecosystem. Although modern excursions are conducted in safe, eco-friendly fiberglass replicas, the essence of the experience remains unchanged—peaceful, immersive, and deeply connected to nature.

Gliding silently just centimeters above the water’s surface, guests are gently poled through crystal-clear channels by skilled local guides. This tranquil journey offers a remarkable perspective of the Delta, allowing you to observe painted reed frogs clinging to reeds, colourful dragonflies dancing above the water, and a rich variety of birdlife at close range. With a bit of luck, you may also encounter larger wildlife such as antelope, elephants, or hippos along the water’s edge, all experienced without the sound of an engine to disturb the moment.

Mokoro excursions are typically scheduled in the early morning or late afternoon, when temperatures are cooler and wildlife activity is at its best. Please note that excursions are dependent on seasonal water levels and are only available when conditions allow. When in season, this timeless activity is widely regarded as a quintessential Okavango Delta experience—capturing the serenity, beauty, and magic of this extraordinary wilderness.

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Mokoro - 1 Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Mokoro -2 Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Mokoro -3 Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Reed Frog Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Shorobe Village Experience

Our journey includes a meaningful stop at Shorobe Village, renowned for its vibrant women's cooperative, where skilled artisans craft exquisite woven baskets using age-old traditional techniques passed down through generations. This is a wonderful opportunity to admire their craftsmanship — and perhaps take home a beautiful, authentic keepsake.

While in the village, your guide — a proud local from the region — will share insights into rural life in the Okavango Delta, offering a personal perspective on the traditions, challenges, and rhythms of daily life in this unique part of Botswana. This visit is not just about sightseeing; it's a chance to connect, learn, and engage with the culture in a respectful and enriching way.

To deepen the experience, we’ve also thoughtfully incorporated elements of local cuisine into our menus, adding a delicious and authentic taste of Botswana to your safari. And of course, no visit would be complete without a bit of song — many of our staff love to sing, and their joyful harmonies often become a treasured memory for our guests.

Cultural interaction is not just an add-on; it’s an essential part of the journey, and we’re proud to share it with you.

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Shorobe Baskets - 1 Credit: Jack Uellendahl

Shorobe Baskets - 2 Credit: Jack Uellendahl