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 birthplace of Botswana's first President, the late Sir Seretse Khama. Paje and Mabeleapodi are two small picturesque villages within fifteen 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 had been 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.

The Future Confidence in the Trust and its achievements means that the Sanctuary continues to be recognised as a breeding centre for the re-population of white rhino in Botswana, as well as a home for the eventual re-introduction of black rhino into this country. In addition to protection of the wildlife, many other facilities are on offer, and are continually working to meet objectives. Current projects include pumping water around the Sanctuary from two boreholes, construction of an Education Centre and expansion of Environmental Education facilities, the development of a research centre and construction of a restaurant. As a community trust Khama are reliant on donor funding. In the past these have come from government, private business, other non-governmental organisations and members of the public, both from Botswana and abroad. Thanks to such generous contributions, Khama is able to continue working towards preserving Botswana's unique wildlife heritage.