Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Whether you camp in one of the well-maintained campgrounds near clean ablution blocks, or stay in one of our comfortable well equipped chalets with en-suite showers and toilets, you are assured of enjoying your stay at Khama Rhino Sanctuary.

The camping and chalet facilities at Mokongwa Camp are a short drive from the Entrance Gate and are accessible without a four-wheel drive vehicle. The chalets are popular so it is best to book well in advance. They are perfect for those who prefer self-catering accommodation. The rustic chalets sleep four people. Each chalet has a toilet and shower en-suite with hot water. Bedding and towels are also provided. Situated by a Mokongwa tree, you will also find a fireplace, braai stand with grid and a tap and birdbath. Basic cooking equipment and crockery is provided, but no stove or refrigerator is provided.

There are 13 campsites, including sites for large groups. The central feature of each site is a large Mokongwa tree which provides both character and shade. There is also a fireplace, braai stand with grill, and tap with birdbath. The campsites are served by two communal ablution blocks. Staff housing at the Boma Camp has been converted to provide further accommodation facilities. The A-frame is a two-storey chalet which sleeps up to six people, whilst the three square-davels each sleep two people, with braai area and ablutions, and are thus ideal for backpackers.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary opens daily at 8:00am and closes at 19:00pm. Special arrangements for arrival outside these hours must be made in advance. On arrival at the Sanctuary or, as many people refer to it, a Botswana National Park, you will find friendly staff to help answer your questions about the Khama Rhino Sanctuary and other Botswana National Parks. Wood for fires and braais can be bought here, as well as ice, cold drinks and basic provisions. There is also a craft shop selling various local crafts, books, maps, souvenirs and postcards.

ACTIVITIES: Khama Rhino Sanctuary's roads are well maintained, compared to other Botswana National Parks, making them suitable for self-drive game viewing in four and two-wheel drive vehicles.

Guided game drives, rhino trails and nature walks can be booked and are surpervised by well-trained and very knowledgeable Rangers. Morning drives and night drives are available.

KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY STORY:

In 1989 a group of Serowe residents conceived the idea of a wildlife reserve near Serowe. Serwe Pan, then a cattle post, had been a traditional hunting area teeming with wildlife and the residents wished to re-establish it to its earlier splendour. In 1993 the Ngwato Land Board allocated the land around Serwe Pan to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust. The site was chosen due to its excellent habitat for rhino's, central location and proximity to a Botswana Defence Force (BDF) base, which provides the Sanctuary with 24hr protection.

Covering approximately 4,300 hectares of Kalahari sandveld, the Sanctuary is centred around Serwe Pan - a large grass-covered depression with several natural water holes. Serwe Pan provides the prime habitat for white rhinoceros and other grazing animals, whilst the denser vegetation in the southern area of the Sanctuary is favoured by browsing animals such as giraffe. The Sanctuary is a community trust governed by a Board of Trustees who are elected from the local communities of Serowe, Paje and Mabeleapodi. The President of Botswana, Lt Gen S.K.I. Khama, Paramount Chief of the Bamangwato, is Patron of the Trust.

The Sanctuary lies 25km north of historic Serowe on the Serowe\Orapa road. Serowe, one of the largest traditional villages in Africa, is the birth place of Botswana's first President, the late Sir Seretse Khama. Paje and Mabeleapodi are two small picturesque villages within 15 kilometres of the Sanctuary.

To date, 14 white rhinos and 2 black rhinos have been translocated into the Sanctuary. In February 1993, 4 rhinos were translocated from northern Botswana. This was accomplished by the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks with the help of the Natal Parks Board. The rhinos were placed in very large bomas which were built by volunteers from the local communities. One of these rhino was seriously wounded by poachers bullets just prior to capture and died within a month of translocation. Another rhino died in October 1994 despite the best veterinary care. Another young bull was brought to the Sanctuary bomas in May 1994. A 28km electric fence, sponsored by Debswana and De Beers, was completed in June 1995. All the rhinos were then released from their bomas to roam freely within the Sanctuary.

Later that month the North West Parks Board of South Africa donated and translocated 5 more white rhino to the Sanctuary. These were all released from the bomas shortly after their arrival. All the rhino settled well and soon began breeding. More calves were born in the Sanctuary during 1997, although one has since died due to rough 'horning' by the dominant male. After friction developed between the two mature males it was decided to move the younger one. He was exchanged for a young female from Kruger National Park in March 1998. While she was acclimatising in the bomas, the dominant male became interested in her. He cornered her in the boma and killed her.

1999 saw 5 more rhinos at the Sanctuary. In July 3 rhinos were translocated from Pilanesburg by the North West Parks Board. At the same time a male was translocated from the Sanctuary to Jwaneng in southern Botswana . During that year, 2 more babies were born here. During 2000, 2 babies were born at the Sanctuary, another 2 in 2001, 4 in 2003 and 2 more in 2004, which presently brings the total number of white rhino in the Sanctuary to 28.  They also have 2 black rhinos.

The Ngwato Land Board recently allocated another piece of land (5000 hectares) to the Trust , of which the suitability for the re-introduction of black rhino is currently being assessed. The Sanctuary is home to other wildlife which have settled naturally or been translocated: zebra, blue wildebeest, giraffe, eland, springbok, impala, gemsbok, kudu, steenbok, duiker, red hartebeest, waterbuck, warthog, leopard, ostrich, African wild cat, caracal, small spotted genet, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, brown hyena. Over 230 bird species have also been identified here including Abdim's stork and bearded woodpecker.

Due to future contributions, Khama is able to continue working towards preserving Botswana's unique wildlife heritage.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Botswana is a proud example of what communities can do to uplift themselves and to protect nature. At Temba we proudly support initiatives such as Khama Rhino Sanctaury. Temba Safari prefers to stay in places such as Khama Rhino Sanctuary and we include it in our tailormade Botswana packages.

You can use Khama Rhino Sanctuary as your base to explore the central part of Botswana. Francistown, Botswana's second city, is two hours drive from Khama Rhino Sanctuary near Serowe. Woodlands Stop over near Francistown in Botswana is our preferred accommodation in and around Francistown. Woodlands is also known as Woodlands 4x4 but the camp is accessible with any vehicle hired from Temba Car Hire. Temba often overnights at Woodlands and Khama Rhino Sanctuary on one of our Youth tours the Kalahari Vasbyt.

From Khama Rhino Sanctuary you can reach Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, in 4 hours. In Maun you can select you accommodation from MAUN ACCOMMODATION such as Thamlakane River Lodge and you can hire a Land Cruiser 4X4 from Temba Car Hire Maun branch. This 4x4 vehicle is the best to explore the Okavango Delta, Moremi and Savute areas. In addition we supply excellent accommodation in Moremi and Savute which is within a day from Khama Rhino Sanctuary.

From Khama Rhino Sanctuary you can drive directly north over the Makgadigadi Pans. You can select accommodation from Gweta lodge and hotels or you can stay at Nata in the new Nata Lodge only about 5 hours drive from Khama Rhino Sanctuary.

Within 8 hours drive from Khama Rhino Sanctuary is Kasane and Chobe National Park where you can book accommodation such as the luxurious Chobe Safari Lodge, the very affordable Toro Lodge and camping and self-catering accommodation at SENYATI SAFARI LODGE. From here you can cross the border to Zimbabwe where you can book your accommodation at VICTORIA FALLS ZIMBABWE. You can reach Victoria Falls within a day from Khama Rhino Sanctuary.

Shakawe in the north west of Botswana is about as far from Khama Rhino Sanctuary which you can reach in a day. Here you can stay at Drotsky Cabins on the western panhandle of the Okavango Delta and enjoy the abundance of birdlife and excellent fishing. It will take you 9 hours from Khama Rhino Sanctuary to Drotsky Cabins.

From Shakawe you can cross the border into Namibia and spend a few days in the Caprivi. At CAPRIVI ACCOMMODATION you can select excellent accommodation such as Mazambala Island Lodge, Ngepi Camp and Kwando Camp. The Capri Strip is known for its abundance of water and wetlands. Allow two days to drive from Khama Rhino Sanctuary to the Caprivi.

Perhaps you would like to travel via the Central Kalahari Game Reserve to Kang and Ghanzi on the western side of Botswana. The sand can be very loose and you will need a good 4x4 vehicle in order to do so. In Kang the best accommodation is Kang Ultra Stop along the Trans Kgalagadi Highway between Johannesburg and Windhoek in Kang, Botswana. In Ghanzi you can select accommodation from Ghanzi accommodation. For those who came via the Central Kalahari Game Reserve Thakadu Camp will most likely be the place to overnight, although some people would prefer the luxury of the Kalahari Arms Hotel. Allow 3 days if you travel via the Kalahari from Khama Rhino Sanctuary, but with the main road via Maun you can reach Ghanzi in less than a day from Khama Rhino Sanctuary.

You can travel from Khama Rhino Sanctuary to the capital city of Botswana within 4 hours. The road from Khama Rhino Sanctuary to Gaborone is in excellent condition but the traffic might be heavy. Temba offers a variety of accommodation in and around Gaborone. The Mokolodi Nature Reserve is also a community project, such as Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Mokolodi Lodge Gaborone offers self-catering accommodation on the Mokolodi Nature Reserve just 12 km from Gaborone. If you are on business in Gaborone we strongly recommened the Cresta Lodge Gaborone a luxury but affordable hotel in the CBD of Gaborone Botswana. The Big Five Lodge is cheaper but 10 minutes from Gaborone central business area.

Links to Places in Namibia where you can stay:

Sossusvlei Lodge is a luxury lodge at Sesriem near Sossusvlei in Namibia. It is the best lodge in the Sossusvlei Area.
Sossusvlei Desert Lodge offers luxury self-catering accommodation at Sesriem near Sossusvlei in Namibia.
Grunau Lodge Namibia between Keetmanshoop and Noordoewer offers a selection of accommodation.
Grunau Country House bed and breakfast accommodaion in the old Grunau Hotel in Grunua in between Noordoewer and Keetmanshoop in Namibia
Orange River Lodge self-catering accommodation in Noordoewer near the South African border.
Temba Etosha Lodge Temba Etosha Lodge offers self-catering and fully inclusive accommodation near Okaukuejo and the Etosha National Park in Namibia.

Links to accommodation in South Africa:

Upington accomodation online. Temba offer a selection of the best accommodation based on value for money in Upington in the Kalahari
The Kalahari Sun River Lodge is a boutique hotel in Upington.
Upington Country Lodge offers excellent self-catering accommodation in Upington.
The Kalahari Monate Lodge offers self-catering and camping 10 km from Upington on the Spitskop Nature Reserve.

In the Eastern Cape in South Africa we recommend:

Umtata Savoy Hotel in Mthatha or Umtata, the former capital of the Transkei and gateway to the Wildcoast.
Umngazi River Lodge is your luxury family destination near Port St Johns on the Wildcoast.
N'taba River Lodge offers self-catering accommodation and luxury hotel rooms at Port St Johns on the Wildcoast of South Africa.
Kob Inn Hotel is the the perfect Wildcoast hide away and family resort.
Hole-in-the-Wall Hotel offers basic hotel and self-catering accommodation at Hole-in-the-Wall at the Wildcoast.
Mazeppa Bay Hotel is a resort hotel on the Wildcoast of the Eastern Cape South Africa.

In Kwazulu Natal Temba recommends;

Amazian Mountain River Lodge near Underberg in the Drakensberg mountains. All rooms are equipped with a Spa and all rooms are suitable as honeymoon suites.


In the Karoo in the Northern Cape we recommend:
Merino Inn Motel The Merino Inn is just outside Colesberg on the N1. This is a beautiful three star hotel and the perfect stopover between Gauteng and the Western or Eastern Cape.
Gables Inn Colesberg offers self-catering accommodation in Colesberg.
Hanover Inn offers affordable and very basic accommodation in Hanover, South Africa.
Hanover Lodge offers Bed and Breakfast accommodation in the former Hanover Hotel in South Africa. Hanover lodge provides dinner on an a la carte menu.
Britstown Kambro Lodge offers self-catering accommodation 20 km north of Britstown on a Karoo farm in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa
Britstown Transkaroo Lodge Britstown Transkaroo Lodge is in the main street of Britstown and the best hotel accommodation in Britstown.

Temba recommends the following accommodation in the Freestate province of South Africa.
Sangiro Lodge Bloemfontein is near the Shell Ultra City at Bloemfontein. Sangiro Lodge is at the exit from the N1 to Bloemfontein.
Bains Game Lodge Bloemfontein Bains Game Lodge offers self-catering and hotel accommodation next to the N1 at Nelson Mandela exit to Bloemfontein
Hakuna Matata Guesthouse in Koffiefontein in the Freestate province of South Africa.