BEST 5 ACTIVITIES IN KHAMA RHINO

Best 5 Activities In Khama Rhino Sanctuary

The best 5 activities to do in Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Botswana are; Rhino tracking, Wildlife safari walks, Birding, Educational purposes and Arts and Craft works. Khama Rhino sanctuary is a community based wildlife project in Botswana and the Rhino shelter was established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhinoceros, restore the historic wildlife populations and provide economic benefits to the local Botswana community through tourism and the sustainable use of natural resources in Botswana.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary Covers approximately 8585 hectares of Kalahari Sandveld, the sanctuary provides prime habitat for white and black rhinos as well as over 30 other animal species such as giraffes, elands, red hartebeests, gemsboks, zebras, wildebeests, springboks, impalas, antelopes, waterbucks, kudus, cheetahs, jackals, hyenas, leopards, ostriches, foxes, duikers and more than 230 species of birds such as the  helmeted Guinea fowl and the lappet-faced vulture.

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. The residents wished to re-establish it to its earlier state. In 1993 the Ngwato Land Board allocated the land around Serwe Pan to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust. The main conservation project undertaken by Khama Rhino Sanctuary is the rhino^[3] breeding program. To date, the sanctuary has relocated 16 rhinos to different places within the country from a founder population of four animals.

The long term goal of the Sanctuary is to let the rhinos safely breed within its borders and re-introduce them into their natural wild habitats. The rhinos within the sanctuary are secured by anti-poaching patrols carried out by the rangers and the Botswana Defense Force.

1. Rhino Tracking In Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Rhino tracking is one of the best activities for visitors to engage in while in Khama Rhino Sanctuary. A unique experience where visitors will have numerous opportunities to view one of the most interesting big 5 animals the Rhino being one of them. And in this case, the Rhino is the main animal of interest. Almost extinct as a species, both black and white rhinoceroses can be found roaming in Khama Rhino Sanctuary although there are other animals also in the sanctuary such as the zebras, warthogs, giraffes, kudus, impalas, oryxes among others.

This rhino conservation program was set-up and designed to protect the rhino species from the poachers, an animal once on the brink of extinction. The sanctuary can be explored on a self-drive safari or driven by a driver of a tour company responsible or even tracking by foot depending on the tourists satisfaction and wants while doing the Rhino tracking safari.

A 4×4 open-sided vehicle is recommended by the tourism industry for one who wants to have a safari in the Sanctuary. Its because the vehicle has a strong engine that can enable it move in the sanctuary without fail. Parks and sanctuaries are characterized with muddy roads in case of rain and pot holes. And this therefore explains why a 4×4 open-sided vehicle is needed for a safari.

Well trained game rangers are available as the tourists move to the bush and commence on with the rhino tracking safari. Where in the 4×4 open sided vehicle, or on foot a game ranger is important in case the animals charge on the tourists. They will scare it away maximumly by firing up with a gun bullet to scare it away. This activity the visitors have a free environment to take photos as many as they wish as long as they do it in the safer zone as requested by the game ranger.

2. Wildlife Safari Walks In Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Khama Rhino Sanctuary is also blessed with other animals apart from the big 5 animal, the Rhino. Visitors who visit Khama Rhino Sanctuary also have a chance to spot some of these animals as they walk in the Khama Rhino Sanctuary such as the giraffes, zebras, blue wildebeest, eland, springboks, impalas, gemsbok, steenbok, African wild cats, kudus, duiker, red hartebeest, leopards and ostriches among others and different bird species.

So visitors who do the Rhino tracking also at times divert and have a view on these animals mentioned above as a bonus view to why they visited the sanctuary. Wildlife safaris in Khama Rhino Sanctuary can be done as a foot walk in the sanctuary.  Tourists interested of the safari tours move deep in the sanctuary to track and spot several wildlife in the sanctuary with the accompany of a tour guide and a game ranger.

The tour guide shall explain more of the information a tourist may need to know about the nature and certain animals while the game ranger with a gun shall be available to protect the client from animal attacks. At times the game ranger can still be the tour guide and so carries out two activities at once. However, other rangers move a distance to keep watch just in case animals charge towards the tourists.

3. Birding In Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Birding is also one of the most wonderful activities tourists visit Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Botswana. The sanctuary has 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 Go-away-bird, Crowned Lapwing, African Sacred Ibis, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Crimson-breasted Gonolek, Southern Pied-Babbler, Burchell’s Starling, Red-headed Weaver, Red-eyed Dove among others can be found at Khama Rhino Sanctuary.  Visitors can enjoy birding at the tranquil Bird Hide and watch the sunset ​​over Malema’s Pan while they have a trip in the Khama Rhino Sanctuary.

Birding is an interesting activity and one of the most relaxing activity in the Khama Rhino sanctuary. The birds have several ways to communicate to others and the birders extremely love this. Birds communicate in many ways such as use of head gestures, tail movements, flight patterns, eye blinks, sounds among others. So as they communicate, some birds do the singing and they are pleasant to listen to their songs giving the tourists a good motive and experience as they carry out the birding activity.

4. Educational Studies In Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Khama Rhino Sanctuary also has an education Centre where many young children from all over Botswana come for environmental education to study about the nature and some wildlife in the sanctuary as well enjoying time in the bush, tracking Rhinos, spotting other animals like zebras, impalas, among others and having a study on them with the increase in tourism bringing many benefits to the local area.

Students in Botswana need this environmental study in Khama Rhino Sanctuary to actually achieve knowledge on how to improve tourism in Botswana through several ways like sustainable tourism in Botswana so as the other younger generations also have a chance to find the available tourism attractions in place. The educational centre in Botswana educates the students more in about the sanctuary and more information they need about the sanctuary and tourism in Botswana.

5. Arts & Crafts Works In Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Khama Rhino sanctuary is also another unique place where visitors will come across several art works and craft works that were made locally by the community members around the sanctuary. The arts and craft work are displayed for tourists to buy from the local people. Some of the things displayed include; craft shop selling various local crafts, books, maps and souvenirs among others.

The items displayed by the local people are made of local materials and its the very local people who make them with their own hands. Visitors at times love watching the locals mend the local items with their hands and some visitors ask to be trained on how to make some of the local products.

How To Access Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Car rentals is an excellent way to tour this stunning country and see the incredibly diverse range of Botswana animals and scenery. With some of Botswana’s best parks and reserves a relatively short trip away, trips are often combined with tours to the Okavango Delta, some 370 miles away on the main road between Serowe and Orapa as well as Chobe National Park.

Access by car is possible with a 208 mile/4.5 hour road journey along the A1 tarmac road from the capital Gaborone or a 320 mile/6 hour/ journey from Maun.  A 4×4 vehicle is recommended if planning a self-drive safari in Khama however due to the depth of the sand levels when driving through the sanctuary.

By plane, Francistown Airport (PG Matante International Airport) is the closest to Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Flying to Gaborone and renting a car would be a better option, especially if visitors are thinking of visiting multiple destinations and continuing north. Visitors from the United States can take a flight from Johannesburg, South Africa to KRS by connecting through Francistown International Airport.

For visitors wondering how to get to Botswana, you can fly to Maun (MAU), Gaborone (GAB) or Kasane (BBK) airports and then connect to Khama Rhino Sanctuary by a hired or own 4×4 wheel vehicle. A Botswana visa and certain vaccinations and other identification documents such as identification cards may also be required to enter the country.

When To Visit Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Khama Rhino Sanctuary can be visited all year round. Due to the higher rainfall and muddy sands in winter, a trip anytime from April to November is recommended. Understanding the best time to visit Botswana is useful as this can impact safari prices and availability.

The Rhinos tend to move to other further locations due to the rains and concentrate in one area during the dry season so as they have water for themselves. So visitors here doing rhino tracking in Khama Rhino Sanctuary have a great chance to watch more rhinos because they stay in one concentrated area for water and so a visitors experience of rhino tracking being a good one.

Accommodation In Khama Rhino Sanctuary

There are 22 campsites spread over 2 camps. The central feature of each site is a large tree by Mokongwa camp which provides both character and shade. None of the campsites have any charging points. There is also a fireplace, braai stand with grill and two communal ablution blocks containing toilets, showers with hot water and basins.  Non-citizen prices range from $5 for children to $10 for adults per night.

There are 8 chalets housing from two to eight people each. Bedding & towels, braai facilities, fridge and an electric kettle are provided in all chalets. Basic cooking utensils are not provided, visitors can bring their own. Non-citizen prices range from $66 to $88 per chalet per night.  There are bar and restaurant open for guests and day visitors with a variety of dishes. The sanctuary also has Wi-Fi, a pool and a shop selling crafts, books, maps, wood for a braai as well as ice, cold drinks and basic provisions.

In Conclusion

Mana pools is one of the best African national parks with diversity of wildlife, water bodies,  birds, worthy visiting again again because of the exceptional experience it gives to the visitors. Kubwa five safaris, a tour company in Africa is a trustworthy company where a tourist is assured of best experience achievement while on a trip with them. You can book with Κubwa five safaris in their offices or online. Contact Kubwa Five Safaris for more details.