Khwai Concession
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Botswana

Khwai Concession

Botswana

Experience Khwai Concession

The Khwai Community Concession stretches along the northern boundary of Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta region. Unlike national parks, this private concession allows a wider range of activities — most notably night drives, off-road driving, and walking safaris — making it one of the most comprehensive and flexible safari destinations in Botswana.

The landscape transitions beautifully from the floodplains and channels of the Okavango system through mixed mopane woodland to open savanna. The Khwai River, a seasonal channel fed by the delta's waters, runs through the concession and acts as a year-round magnet for wildlife. During the dry season, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and a remarkable diversity of game concentrate along its banks.

Wildlife in the Khwai area is prolific and well-habituated to vehicles. The concession is particularly famous for its leopard sightings — arguably some of the best in Botswana — as well as lion, hyena, and wild dog activity. The combination of accessible woodland and open floodplain supports extraordinary predator diversity. Night drives, permitted here year-round, reveal a nocturnal world rarely seen in national parks: civets, servals, springhares, genets, and the occasional leopard on the hunt.

The Khwai village itself sits on the concession boundary, and community-based tourism ensures that the local San and Hambukushu communities benefit directly from conservation. Cultural village visits offer a window into traditions and livelihoods that have coexisted with the wildlife of the Okavango for centuries.

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Popular Safaris in Khwai Concession

8-Day Victoria Falls, Chobe & Okavango Delta Explorer
8 Days

8-Day Victoria Falls, Chobe & Okavango Delta Explorer

From

$3,346.00

Things to Do

Walking Safaris in the Khwai Concession & Okavango Delta

Walking Safaris in the Khwai Concession & Okavango Delta

2-4 Hours$95.00
Details

Where to Stay

Nokanyana Camp
5

Tented Camp

Nokanyana Camp

Explore Property

Iconic Highlights

1

• Night drives offering exceptional leopard, civet, and nocturnal wildlife encounters

2

• Superb, year-round leopard sightings — among the best in Botswana

3

• Walking safaris through pristine woodland and floodplain environments

4

• Off-road driving for flexible, deep-into-bush game viewing

5

• Community-managed tourism directly benefiting the Khwai village

6

• Excellent dry-season wildlife concentrations along the Khwai River

Wildlife & Nature

Lion

Elephant

Leopard

Buffalo

Cheetah

Giraffe

Zebra

Wildebeest

Hippo

Wild Dogs

Climate & When to Visit

Best Time to Visit

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Monthly Averages

MonthTemp HighTemp LowRainfall
Apr29°C--°C-- mm
Aug25°C--°C-- mm
Dec32°C--°C-- mm
Feb33°C--°C-- mm
Jan32°C--°C-- mm
Jul22°C--°C-- mm
Jun22°C--°C-- mm
Mar31°C--°C-- mm
May26°C--°C-- mm
Nov31°C--°C-- mm
Oct32°C--°C-- mm
Sep29°C--°C-- mm

Travel Requirements

  1. Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond travel dates
  2. Visa-free entry for most nationalities; check requirements for your country
  3. Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if travelling from endemic countries
  4. Park entry fees payable in USD or Botswana Pula at park gates

      5.    Valid passport with at least 6 months validity

      6.    Park entry fees required — payable at South Gate or North Gate

      7.    4WD vehicle essential for self-drive; roads flood during the wet season

      8.    Booking permits required for camping at Third Bridge and Xakanaxa

  1. Valid passport with minimum 6 months validity beyond travel dates
  2. Travel insurance strongly recommended; medevac cover essential for remote camps

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Khwai different from Moremi Game Reserve?
Khwai Concession borders Moremi but operates as a private community concession, allowing activities restricted inside the national park. Night drives, off-road vehicle tracking, and unlimited-distance walking safaris are all available. The wildlife is equally prolific — the concession shares the same ecosystem — but with greater activity flexibility and far fewer vehicles than the park.
How do I reach the Khwai Concession?
Most visitors fly into the Khwai airstrip on a light aircraft charter from Maun (approximately 30 minutes). Self-drive is possible via the main Maun–Moremi road and then into the concession, but requires a capable 4WD, good navigation skills, and typically 4–5 hours of driving from Maun. Transfers are arranged by lodges.
What accommodation is available in Khwai?
The Khwai Concession offers everything from luxury tented camps (like Khwai River Lodge and Khwai Tented Camp) to more rustic budget camping at the Khwai community campsite. The community campsite, near the village, is one of the most affordable and authentic overnight options in the Okavango region.
Are night drives available in Khwai?
Yes — night drives are one of the key reasons travellers choose Khwai over Moremi. Night drives operate year-round with experienced guides and spotlights, revealing a nocturnal cast of characters including leopards, civets, servals, springhares, genets, owls, and occasionally aardvarks or pangolins.

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Dest Type

Conservation Areas

Status

Entry Permits Required

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