Khama Rhino Sanctuary Serowe Botswana

Email Khama Rhino Sanctuary enquiries and reservations: khama-rhino@madbookings.com

The campsites are served by two communal ablution blocks. The Education Centre also has a campsite. There is dormitory accommodation at the Education Centre as well. Contact our office for details.

Our rustic chalets sleep four people. Each chalet has a toilet and shower en-suite with hot water, bedding and towels are provided. Situated by a Mokongwa tree, you will also find a fireplace, braai stand with grill and tap with birdbath.

The A-frame is a two-storey chalet which sleeps up to six people and is situated at Boma camp on the edge of Serwe Pan. It has a bush toilet, a hot shower and also braai facilities. Bedding and towels are provided.

Entrance Gate
Khama Rhino Sanctuary opens every day at 8:00am and closes at 7:00pm . Special arrangements for arrival outside these hours can be made in advance.

On arrival at the Sanctuary you will find the Reception where all fees are paid and you can book camping, chalets and activities. Information packs are on sale with many details about the Sanctuary, wildlife and with activities for children. Basic binoculars are available to hire and the friendly staff can help answer your questions about the Sanctuary. 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.

Some ideas of what to do at Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Activities:
The Sanctuary's roads are well maintained to make them suitable for self-drive game viewing in four and two-wheel drive bakkies. Buy a copy of the map at the Entrance Gate and follow the signs to find your way round the Sanctuary.
Guided game drives, rhino trails and nature walks can be booked and paid for at the Entrance Gate. Both take about two hours, during which time you will be guided around the Sanctuary by our well trained and very knowledgeable Rangers. Morning drives and trails start at 6:00am , and the afternoon activities start at 4:00pm . Night drives start at 7:00pm . Tourism levy P2.00 per person per day

Bird Hide
A wonderfully peaceful viewing spot. The traditional reed and thatch hide overlooks one of the small pans where water is retained all year round. Stay a while and quietly watch the many birds and animals which come here. Buy our Bird List from reception and see how many of the regulars you can spot.

Where is Khama Rhino Sanctuary?
Khama Rhino Sanctuary is situated on the main road between Serowe and Orapa.
If you are travelling from Serowe, leave town on the road opposite the main mall and turn left at the T-junction with the Orapa road. KRS is about 25km northwards through Paje on the Orapa road.
If you are coming from Palapye, turn north to Orapa before you come to Serowe.
If you are coming from Orapa, follow the road south for about 180km.

What is the Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust? - Our 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 rhinoceros, 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 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, HE 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, four 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 free within the Sanctuary. Later that month the North West Parks Board of South Africa donated and translocated five 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 out. 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 five more rhinos at the Sanctuary. Three rhinos were translocated from Pilanesburg by the North West Parks Board in July. At the same time a male was translocated from the Sanctuary to Jwaneng in southern Botswana . Two babies were born here during the year.

Two babies were born at the Sanctuary during 2000, two in 2001, four in 2003 and two more in 2004, which brings the total number of white rhino in the Sanctuary to 28. We also have two black rhinos.

Confidence in the Trust and its achievements has been expressed by the Southern Africa Rhino Specialist Group who are keen to establish Khama Rhino Sanctuary as a breeding centre for the re-population of white rhino in Botswana . In addition, Botswana 's Department of Wildlife and National Parks has also re-affirmed its commitment to re-introducing black rhino into the country and using the Khama Rhino Sanctuary for this purpose. The Ngwato Land Board recently allocated the Trust another piece of land (5000 hectares), of which the suitability for the reintroduction of black rhino is currently being assessed.

The Sanctuary is home to other wildlife which have settled naturally or been translocated in: 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.

Our Rhino
To date, 14 white rhino have been translocated into the Sanctuary. The first four arrived in February 1993, from northern Botswana . They were kept in very large bomas, built by local volunteers, until the 28km electric perimeter fence was completed in June 1995 when they were released to roam free within the Sanctuary. All the rhino settled well and soon began breeding. With further translocations, some sad deaths, and many happy births (the most recent addition being born in 2004) the total number of white rhino at the Sanctuary is currently 34. We also have two black rhinos. The female is pregnant.

Our Future
Confidence in the Trust and its achievements mean 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, we offer many other facilities as detailed overleaf, and are continually working to meet our objectives. Current projects include pumping water around the Sanctuary from two boreholes, construction of an Education Centre and expansion of our Environmental Education facilities, the development of a research centre and construction of a restaurant.

As a community trust we 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, we are able to continue our work towards preserving Botswana's unique wildlife heritage.

Email Khama Rhino Sanctuary enquiries and reservations: khama-rhino@madbookings.com