The Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a community-based wildlife initiative located in Botswana. Established in 1992, the Rhino shelter aims to aid in the conservation of the dwindling rhinoceros population, restore historical wildlife numbers, and offer economic advantages to the local community through tourism and the sustainable management of natural resources in Botswana.
Khama Rhino Sanctuary spans approximately 8,585 hectares of Kalahari Sandveld, offering an ideal habitat for both white and black rhinos, alongside over 30 other animal species. These include giraffes, elands, red hartebeests, gemsboks, zebras, wildebeests, springboks, impalas, antelopes, waterbucks, kudus, cheetahs, jackals, hyenas, leopards, ostriches, foxes, duikers, and more than 230 bird species, such as the helmeted Guinea fowl and the lappet-faced vulture.
In 1989, a group of residents from Serowe came up with the idea of establishing a wildlife reserve close to Serowe. Serwe Pan, once a cattle post, was a traditional hunting ground abundant with wildlife. The residents aimed to restore it to its former condition. In 1993, the Ngwato Land Board designated the land surrounding Serwe Pan to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust. The primary conservation initiative carried out by Khama Rhino Sanctuary is the rhino breeding program. So far, the sanctuary has moved 16 rhinos to various locations within the country, starting from an initial population of four animals.
Things to Do at Khama Rhino Sanctuary
In the Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Botswana, you can engage in various activities such as rhino tracking, wildlife safari walks, birding, educational pursuits, and arts and crafts.
Tracking Rhinos in Khama
Tracking rhinos is an exceptional activity for visitors to participate in at Khama Rhino Sanctuary. An exceptional opportunity for visitors to observe one of the most fascinating big 5 animals, with the Rhino being a standout among them. In this instance, the Rhino stands out as the primary animal of focus. Both black and white rhinoceroses, nearly extinct as a species, can be seen roaming in Khama Rhino Sanctuary. The sanctuary is also home to various other animals, including zebras, warthogs, giraffes, kudus, impalas, and oryxes, among others.
This rhino conservation program was established to safeguard the rhino species from poachers, an animal that was once on the verge of extinction. The sanctuary offers the option of exploration through a self-drive safari, a guided tour with a driver from a tour company, or even on foot, catering to the preferences and desires of tourists during the Rhino tracking safari.
The tourism industry recommends a 4×4 open-sided vehicle for those looking to experience a safari in the Sanctuary. The vehicle is equipped with a powerful engine that allows it to navigate the sanctuary effortlessly. Parks and sanctuaries feature muddy roads during rain and are often marked by potholes. This clarifies the necessity of a 4×4 open-sided vehicle for a safari experience.
Skilled game rangers are on hand as tourists venture into the bush to begin their rhino tracking safari. In the 4×4 open-sided vehicle or on foot, a game ranger plays a crucial role in the event that animals charge at the tourists. They will drive it away completely by firing a gunshot to frighten it off. In this activity, visitors are provided with a free environment to take as many photos as they desire, provided they do so within the safer zone as requested by the game rangers.
Educational Studies In Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Khama Rhino Sanctuary features an education Centre that attracts many young children from across Botswana for environmental education. Here, they learn about nature and wildlife within the sanctuary while enjoying time in the bush, tracking rhinos, and spotting other animals such as zebras and impalas. This initiative, alongside the rise in tourism, brings numerous benefits to the local area.
Students in Botswana require this environmental study at Khama Rhino Sanctuary to gain insights on enhancing tourism in the country through various methods, such as sustainable tourism. This will ensure that future generations also have the opportunity to discover the tourism attractions available in the area. The educational centre in Botswana provides students with comprehensive knowledge about the sanctuary and essential information regarding tourism in Botswana.
Art and Craft Creations at Khama Rhino Sanctuary
The Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a distinctive destination where visitors can discover various artworks and crafts created by local community members surrounding the sanctuary. The local people showcase their arts and crafts for tourists to purchase. Among the displayed items are a craft shop offering a variety of local crafts, books, maps, and souvenirs, among others.
The items showcased by the local community are crafted from local materials, and it is the very local artisans who create them by hand. Visitors often enjoy observing the locals as they skillfully repair local items by hand, and some even request to learn how to create various local products themselves.
Birdwatching in Khama
Birding is among the most delightful activities that attract tourists to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Botswana. The sanctuary is home to over 230 species of birds, including Abdim’s stork, the bearded woodpecker, Helmeted Guinea fowl, Kori Bustard, Lappet-faced Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Black-fronted Bulbul, Red-billed Oxpecker, Egyptian Goose, Crested Francolin, Ring-necked Dove, Gray Co-away-bird, Crowned Lapwing, African Sacred Ibis, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Crimson-breasted Gonolek, Southern Pied-Babbler, Burchell’s Starling, Red-headed Weaver, and Red-eyed Dove, among others found at Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Visitors can experience birding at the serene Bird Hide and witness the sunset over Malema’s Pan during their journey in the Khama Rhino Sanctuary.
Birding is a captivating pursuit and one of the most soothing activities at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. The birds possess various methods of communication, which birders greatly appreciate. Birds convey messages through various means, including head gestures, tail movements, flight patterns, eye blinks, and sounds, among others. As they communicate, certain birds sing beautifully, providing a delightful auditory experience for tourists engaged in birding activities.
Wildlife Safari Walks
Khama Rhino Sanctuary is home to a variety of animals in addition to the iconic big five, including the Rhino. Visitors to Khama Rhino Sanctuary have the opportunity to encounter a variety of wildlife as they explore the area. Among the animals that can be spotted are giraffes, zebras, blue wildebeest, eland, springboks, impalas, gemsbok, steenbok, African wild cats, kudus, duiker, red hartebeest, leopards, ostriches, and numerous bird species.
Visitors engaging in Rhino tracking occasionally have the opportunity to see the aforementioned animals, adding an extra highlight to their sanctuary experience. Wildlife safaris at Khama Rhino Sanctuary can be experienced through guided walks within the sanctuary. Tourists interested in safari tours venture deep into the sanctuary to track and spot various wildlife, accompanied by a tour guide and a game ranger.
The tour guide will provide additional information that tourists may find useful regarding the local nature and various animals, while the game ranger, equipped with a firearm, will be present to ensure the safety of clients from potential animal attacks. Sometimes, the game ranger also serves as the tour guide, effectively managing two roles simultaneously. Nevertheless, additional rangers maintain a distance to monitor the situation, prepared for any potential animal charges towards the tourists.
The Ideal Time to Explore Khama Rhino Sanctuary
The Khama Rhino Sanctuary is open for visits throughout the entire year. It is advisable to plan a trip between April and November, considering the increased rainfall and muddy sands during the winter months. Knowing the optimal time to visit Botswana is beneficial, as it can influence safari prices and availability.
The Rhinos typically migrate to more distant locations in response to the rains and gather in a single area during the dry season to ensure they have access to water. Visitors engaging in rhino tracking at Khama Rhino Sanctuary have an excellent opportunity to observe a greater number of rhinos, as these animals tend to gather in a concentrated area near water, enhancing the overall experience of tracking them.
Accommodation In Khama Rhino Sanctuary
There are 22 campsites distributed across 2 camps. A prominent aspect of each site is a substantial tree near Mokongwa camp, offering both charm and shade. There are no charging points available at any of the campsites. A fireplace, braai stand with grill, and two communal ablution blocks are available, featuring toilets, showers with hot water, and basins. The prices for non-citizens vary, with children costing $5 and adults $10 per night.
Eight chalets accommodate between two and eight individuals each. All chalets are equipped with bedding and towels, braai facilities, a fridge, and an electric kettle. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own basic cooking utensils, as they are not provided. The prices for non-citizens vary between $66 and $88 for each chalet per night. There is a bar and restaurant open for guests and day visitors, offering a variety of dishes. The sanctuary features Wi-Fi, a pool, and a shop that offers crafts, books, maps, wood for a braai, as well as ice, cold drinks, and basic supplies.
Accessing Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Renting a car is a fantastic option for exploring this beautiful country and experiencing the remarkable variety of Botswana’s wildlife and landscapes. Some of Botswana’s finest parks and reserves are just a short journey away, making it common to combine trips with tours to the Okavango Delta, located approximately 370 miles along the main road between Serowe and Orapa, as well as Chobe National Park.
Access by car is achievable with a 208 mile/4.5 hour road trip along the Al tarmac road from the capital Gaborone or a 320 mile/6 hour journey from Maun. For a self-drive safari in Khama, it is advisable to use a 4×4 vehicle, given the depth of the sand levels encountered while navigating through the sanctuary.
Francistown Airport (PG Matante International Airport) is the nearest airport to Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Traveling to Gaborone and renting a car would be a more advantageous choice, particularly for those planning to explore various destinations and head north. Travelers from the United States can fly from Johannesburg, South Africa to KRS with a connection at Francistown International Airport.
Visitors looking to reach Botswana can fly into Maun (MAU), Gaborone (GAB), or Kasane (BBK) airports and then travel to Khama Rhino Sanctuary using a hired or personal 4×4 vehicle. To enter the country, a Botswana visa, specific vaccinations, and additional identification documents like identification cards may be necessary.
