By Vicky · Published Aug. 11th, 2022 · Updated Dec. 10th, 2022
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Goo-Moremi Gorge is a pretty canyon with waterfalls you can walk up in southeast Botswana and several good accommodation options nearby.
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How to get to Goo-Moremi Gorge
Goo-Moremi Gorge is in southwest Botswana, east of Palapye. It’s just over 1 hours drive and 70 km from Palapye, or 1.5 hours and 100 km from Martin’s Drift (Groblersbrug) Border Post.
Palapye to Goo-Moremi Gorge
To get to the gorge from Palapye, head north on the A1. Turn right after 21 km, and after another 26 km head right again, to head south. 8 km down this road there’s a signpost for ‘Moremi’. Follow this to the right and 10 km later you’ll be in the town of Moremi.
Martin’s Drift to the Gorge
The drive from Martin’s Drift Border Post is tar until the turnoff to Lesenepole from the main road, which is slightly easy to miss. It’s then a good gravel track for 11 km until the tar returns in Lesenepole. If you do miss the turn-off for the gravel road, you can continue on the tar and the next left and left again down to Moremi.
Moremi is the end of the tar. In the village turn right (west) onto a good gravel track, signed for the gorge. 1.5 km later head left across a bridge over a sandy river channel. The track bends left and to the entrance and reception to Goo-Moremi.
Goo-Moremi Gorge Map
Tips
- In the rainy season (Dec-Mar) water levels in the gorge are occasionally too high for hiking, but the accommodation remains open.
- Make sure you have decent walking shoes for the gorge.
- The Tracks4Africa Botswana Map* is very useful in Botswana.
- Find the best books to read while in Botswana.
- We stopped at Goo-Moremi Gorge near the end of our two-month Botswanan road trip which you can read more about in my book*.
Goo-Moremi Gorge is one of the only places in Botswana for walking. The main activity here is the guided walk up the gorge, though there are also a few other paths you can explore by yourself. You can read more about our time in this park in the travel adventure book I wrote, No Footprints in the Night: On Safari in Botswana*.
There are no shops or fuel near Goo-Moremi, but they do sell firewood and there is a restaurant and bar. Stock up beforehand in Palapye or South Africa. The restaurant/bar area has lots of outdoor seating with lovely views south to the hills, especially scenic at sunset. There’s also a small pool.
Park Entrance Fees
Entrance fees are P55 per vehicle. You then also have to pay to go on the guided hike, which is between P80 and P120 depending on which walk you choose.
Goo-Moremi Gorge Contact Details
It can sometimes be difficult to get hold of the resort to make a booking. Contact details are given below.
Facebook Page
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Phone: +267-71-247-225 or +267-74-907-585
Walks in the Resort
Goo-Moremi Gorge Walk
This is the most popular walk in the park and you must go on a guided tour. It starts from a car park 3.5km (about 10 minutes drive) from the campsite and 1.5 km (5 minutes drive) from the lodge and chalet area along a sandy track. In the car park are guides waiting for you. There’s also an ablution block and some seats in the shade along with large baobab trees.
Most people hike the regular trail, which is a 1.5 to 2-hour hike up to the Cape Vulture colony in a cliff and past several waterfalls. It’s just over 2 km in total. There’s a much longer, 5-hour hike which continues further into the gorge. This only takes place on weekdays and must be booked at least a day in advance.
Guided walks in the gorge take place from 7:30 am to 3 pm every day. There are some slightly tricky sections, so wear walking/hiking shoes and hiking clothes. It’s fairly shady in the gorge and surprisingly green, quite a bit cooler than outside, but you must bring your own water. On the way your guide will explain some of the geology and trees on the way as well as the spiritual significance of the area.
While walking you’ll pass some small waterfalls before reaching a larger, more spectacular waterfall. Above this waterfall is a large cliff hosting breeding Cape Vultures. There are a few places on the way where you have to scramble slightly and you might have to use your hands. There are metal cables in place to help you and it’s not that serious.
Other Walks from the Campsite
From the campsite, you can hike the Senwedi Trail by yourself through forest and grassy areas. You can ask the staff about this trail and should find at least one signboard describing it. The walk starts just south of the entrance gate by the campsite, with the trail leading off east from the road.
The walk from the campsite along Senwedi Trail to the lodge and restaurant area is about 1. 7 km each way. You can continue along this trail all the way to the start of the Gorge Walk, another 1.5 km further each way. You then must wait at the car park for a guide.
Botswana Overlanding Book
I captured our many adventures in a travel book, check it out on Amazon*.
South Africa was kicking us out so we had to make a plan. ‘What about Botswana?’ A few days before we overstayed our visas, we hit the road in our trusty Defender and sped north from Cape Town.
Accommodation in Goo-Moremi Gorge
Check-in is from 1 pm and check-out before 10 am. If you think you’ll arrive after 16:30, make prior arrangements with the staff so someone will be at the gate to let you in. The campsite is charged per person, while the chalets and luxury tents have a fixed fee per chalet/tent plus an additional per person fee. See rates below.
Goo-Moremi Gorge Campsite
The campsite is near the reception gate. The campsites are large and have great facilities. The five sites all have their own outdoor toilets and showers, and a large barbecue and washing-up area. There’s also water and bright lights at each campsite. No electricity, but solar heating warms the showers. Each site can accommodate 8 people. Camping is P160 per person (P70 for children 6-15). You can also rent a 2-person pre-set-up tent for P550 per night for the tent.
Goo-Moremi Gorge Chalets
There are 6 self-catering fully-equipped ensuite chalets here. Three have two bedrooms, three have one. There are outdoor solar-heated showers and solar-powered electricity. They also have a patio and outdoor braai area. Rates are P1155/P1575 per night for the two-person/four-person chalets, plus P270 per person per night.
Goo-Moremi Gorge Luxury Tented Camp
There are 8 fairly new air-conditioned luxury tents by the restaurants. These are not self-catering so you must eat at the restaurant. A luxury tent is P1680, the presidential tent is P2100 per night, both including breakfast, plus P270 per person per night.
I hope you enjoyed our guide to Goo-Moremi Gorge in Botswana. If so, check out other parts of the country in our Guide to Botswana.
Guidebooks & Maps to Explore More of Botswana
The Lonely Planet Guidebook* covers all of Botswana, but not in much detail. The Bradt Guide* has a wealth of information and is great for planning a safari around northern Botswana, but doesn’t cover southern Botswana. The Tracks4Africa Map* is an essential item for driving around the country and its national parks. For more information, see our Best Botswana Guidebooks article.
Goo-Moremi Gorge was our final stop in Botswana near the end of our two-month road trip. Find out more by reading the travel book I wrote, No Footprints in the Night: On Safari in Botswana*.
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