Khwai Private Reserve
Khwai borders Moremi, so the wildlife is the same. But here, night drives, off-road driving and walking safaris are all permitted, and camp fees go straight to the community.
The Khwai Experience
Khwai Private Reserve sits on the Delta’s north-eastern edge, right on the doorstep of Moremi National Park, and does things a public reserve simply can’t.
Two areas, one region
Covers the community-run Khwai Concession along the Khwai River, and the larger Khwai Private Reserve to its north.
Moremi’s wildlife
Wildlife moves freely between Khwai and Moremi, so game viewing rivals the reserve without the reserve’s restrictions.
Immersive experiences
Night drives, off-road tracking through dense bush, and guided walking safaris on foot, are all openly permitted here.
Two nights, real impact
Two to three nights is ideal, and tourism revenue flows directly to the Khwai community that owns the land.
What Makes Khwai Special?
Game drives off the road, after dark, and owned by the village that lives here.
Freedom on Every Drive
Because Khwai is community and privately managed rather than national park, your guide can leave the road to follow a leopard, walk you through the bush, and head out after dark when the nocturnal shift clocks on: honey badgers, civets, servals, and lions doing what lions actually do at night.
The Village at the Heart of it
The Khwai Concession is run by the Khwai Development Trust on behalf of the village at its heart, so lodge fees and levies fund the community directly. Your safari here is not adjacent to conservation; it is the funding model.
When is the Best Time to Visit Khwai?
Khwai offers a different experience depending on the month. The best time to visit depends less on the calendar and more on the experience you’re looking for.
Dry Season
June to October, when the Khwai River becomes the only reliable water for miles and the game viewing along its banks gets almost unsporting.
Green Season
November to April brings migratory birds, dramatic light and better rates, with wildlife more dispersed but still very present thanks to the permanent river.
Where is Khwai Private Reserve and what regions does it pair well with?
Khwai sits on the Delta’s north-eastern edge, bordering Moremi Game Reserve directly to the south, with Linyanti and Chobe National Park within easy reach to the northeast. The Khwai River anchors the reserve, with Maun the usual gateway in and out.
Most guests stay two to three nights in Khwai, then pair it with Moremi, Linyanti or Chobe, connected by a short light aircraft hop.
How Do You Get to Khwai
Khwai is one of the easiest parts of the Okavango Delta to get to, and one of the easiest to move on from, which is exactly why it works so well as part of a longer trip.
By air from Maun
A 15 minute light aircraft flight from Maun to Khwai’s own airstrip, the quickest and most common way in.
A short drive to camp
From the airstrip, a short game drive brings you into camp, often with sightings before you’ve even settled in.
Onward, with ease
Khwai connects seamlessly to other Delta airstrips and to Linyanti, making it an easy middle chapter in a longer trip.
Khwai or Moremi?
The wildlife is effectively shared; the rulebook is not.
Choose Khwai for...
Night drives, off-road sightings, walking safaris on foot, and a stay that funds the community directly.
Choose Moremi for...
Sheer wildlife density and daytime game drives, at a slightly gentler price than Khwai’s private-reserve rates.
Or, do both!
Several of our favourite itineraries pair two nights in each, since the border between them is a river the animals cross daily.
Where to Stay in Khwai
Khwai Leadwood, from African Bush Camps, sits under the trees on the edge of the Khwai River inside the community concession, small, warm and superbly guided. In the Khwai Private Reserve to the north, a handful of camps offer the same freedoms across a vast private landscape with even fewer vehicles. Tell us your dates and budget and we will match you honestly.
What Does a Khwai Safari Cost?
Khwai spans a broader price range than most Delta regions, running from accessible tented camps to premium lodges. Here’s what to budget for.
Nightly rates
All-inclusive rates run roughly from the high hundreds to around $2,000 per person per night, depending on camp.
Community levies
Levies fund the concession directly and apply on top of nightly rates, a small but meaningful difference.
Better value
One of the better value routes into the Delta ecosystem, spanning a wider range than most other regions.
Khwai Private Reserve FAQs
Where is Khwai?
On the north-eastern edge of the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana, immediately across the Khwai River from Moremi Game Reserve. Flying time from Maun is around 15 minutes. The name covers both the community-run Khwai Concession around Khwai village and the Khwai Private Reserve stretching north of it.
Is Khwai part of the Okavango Delta?
Yes. Khwai sits along the northeastern edge of the Okavango Delta, between Moremi Game Reserve and private concession areas. It combines permanent water, floodplains and woodland, making it excellent for both wildlife and scenery.
Can you do night drives in Khwai?
Yes, night drives are possible in many Khwai concession areas. This gives you the chance to see nocturnal wildlife that you would rarely encounter on a daytime game drive.
What animals can you see in Khwai?
Khwai offers excellent year-round wildlife viewing. Elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs, buffalo, hippos and plains game are all regularly seen, with particularly strong predator sightings.
How many nights should you spend in Khwai?
We recommend three nights in Khwai. This gives you time for game drives, night drives and, when water levels allow, mokoro excursions.
Is Khwai good for a first safari?
Yes, Khwai is an excellent first safari destination. It combines strong wildlife viewing with a good variety of activities and works particularly well as part of a wider Botswana itinerary.
More Botswana Safari Areas to Visit
Each area brings something new to your safari: different landscapes, different wildlife and different ways to experience them. See where else you could go.
Ready to Experience Khwai?
Tell us when you would like to travel and what matters most. We’ll shape a Khwai itinerary around the season, your budget and the way you like to safari.