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Botswana's Game Reserves
The government has set aside 17% of Botswana Game Reserves in recognition of the importance of protecting these wilderness areas. With some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa Botswana has become one of the most popular destinations for tourists seeking wildlife in their natural habitat. Below are reviews of some of the reserves I have been to as well as general information and rules which you are advised to read.
- General Information and Rules
- Moremi Game Reserve
- Chobe National Park
- Central Kalahari Game Reserve
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
- Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
- Nxai Pan National Park
- Khama Rhino Sanctuary
- General Information and Rules
Within the national parks and game reserves there are no facilities or amenities other than ablution blocks and braai stands, at
some campsites, therefore all visitors are advised to be totally self-sufficient.
Although the national road networks between main centres are tarred
and good condition, many of the access tracks that lead to the parks
and reserves, and many of the tracks within the protected areas, are
rough and sandy, making a 4x4 vehicle essential and traveling with a
second vehicle where possible is advisable. Always carry a container
of water, extra fuel and basic spares when traveling within these areas.
Camping is only permitted in designated campsites. Please ensure that
you leave behind no sign of your stay. Sleeping outside without a protective
shelter is extremely dangerous as none of the campsites are fenced.
Always fasten your tent flaps at night to avoid unwelcome visits by
scorpions and snakes. When camping in areas where monkeys, baboons and
hyena are present, remember to secure your foodstuffs in your vehicle.
Baboons and monkeys have become very brazen and will snatch foodstuffs
from a camp table or out of vehicles if the camper's attention is diverted.
As a general rule each individual campsite may accommodate a maximum of six persons and two vehicles.
Be aware that in the north of Botswana there are malaria carrying mosquitos and you are advised to take the necessary precautions against
this disease. For more information provided by the Department of Tourism on this and other health risks click
here.
Access to the parks and reserves has been limited in order to ensure that visitors have an enjoyable experience and can feel the wilderness
atmosphere. Because of this, advance bookings for campsites are essential.
Always stay on the established tracks in order to avoid the ugly scars left by off-road driving. Stay below the 40 kph speed limit for the
safety of wildlife and yourselves, and to keep down dust.
Remember all wild animals are dangerous, even those that frequent the campsites. Please do not feed them as this leads to them becoming
aggressive and often results in them having to be shot.
Please conserve firewood by using your own gas cooker and only have a fire at night for social purposes.
Please help to keep these wild areas clean and litter free, so that everyone can enjoy their pristine beauty.
Further Information
For organised self-drive safaris throughout Botswana contact:
DriveBotswana
P.O Box 10937
Palapye
Tel: (+267) 4923416
www.drivebotswana.com
- Moremi Game Reserve
General
Arguably Botswana's most beautiful reserve, Moremi Game Reserve is situated in the eastern section of the Okavango Delta and as a result has a
biodiversity second to none in Botswana. More than half of the reserve is inaccessible to vehicles as it consists of lagoons, marshes and seasonal
channels. The Eastern section of the Reserve combines mopane woodland, flooded pans and open floodplains and is one of the finest wildlife
destinations in Africa. Moremi's roads especially in the Khwai and Xakanaxa areas are often flooded when the Delta waters rise so it is advisable
to check before you travel to ensure these areas of the reserve are accessible.
Location
The southern entrance gate (Maqwee gate) is located 100km north of Maun (40km of which is tar to Shorobe, the rest is a gravel road with deep sandy
patches). The Reserve is also accessible from Chobe via Khwai in the north of the Reserve.
Wildlife
As one of the best wildlife reserves in the whole of Africa this Reserve is a must for any tourist on safari in Botswana. There are three main areas
for game viewing, namely the Khwai river floodplain, Xakanaxa and Third Bridge. Of these my personal favourite is Khwai with vast open floodplains
and mopane forests. Lion, Leopard, African Wild Dog and Cheetah are frequently encountered whilst Elephants are common throughout the reserve as are
Giraffe and Zebra as well as numerous antelope. Please note that crocodiles are found in all the flowing channels in the Reserve and swimming is
prohibited.
Camping
The Reserve has 4 campsites at Maqwee Gate, Khwai, Xakanaxa and Third Bridge. All of them have basic ablution blocks with the occasional braai stand
and table. Khwai campsite is situated on the banks of the Khwai river making it one of the most pleasant campsites in Botswana.
There are standpipes at all of the campsites however the water is not suitable for drinking unless it is chemically treated and boiled.
- Chobe National Park
General
The second largest National Park in Botswana is well-known for its
Elephant population numbering upwards of 60,000. With one of the highest
concentrations of game in Southern Africa this national park is one
of the most popular especially along the easily accessed Chobe riverfront
in the northeast.
Location
Situated in the northeast of Botswana bordering Moremi Game Reserve
(to the southwest) this National Park is best accessed through Kasane
village in the northeastern tip of Botswana. The Chobe river flows
along the northern boundary of Chobe - separating Botswana from the
Caprivi strip in Namibia. Chobe is also accessible from Moremi or
Maun via Savuti in the southwest. There is a tarred road between Kasane
and Ngoma that cuts through the northern section of Chobe connecting
Botswana with Namibia.
Wildlife
Almost all of Botswana's mammals can be seen in this vast National
Park. There are four main areas each with its own unique habitat and
biodiversity. Savuti in the southwest with its open grassland, rocky
outcrops and surrounding woodland provides ideal habitat for a wide
variety of game including Elephant, Zebra, Giraffe, Lion, Leopard
and Cheetah - indeed Savuti is well-known for its excellent sightings
of predators. Linyanti with its forested river frontage and the Chobe
river front in the north are also popular destinations - with the
latter being famous for its Buffalo hunting Lions and huge Elephant
herds.
Camping
There are 3 campsites in the National Park - at Linyanti, Ihaha (along the Chobe riverfront) and Savuti each with its own character. The ablution
block at Savuti is impressive - being modern and well looked after. Hyena frequent the campsites at night and care must be taken not to leave any
food in the tents.
There are standpipes at all of the campsites however the water is not suitable for drinking unless it is chemically treated and boiled.
- Central Kalahari Game Reserve
General
This is the largest game reserve in Botswana and at almost 53,000 sq km (equivalent to Burundi and Rwanda combined) is the second biggest in
the world.
Renowned for its vast and unspoilt tracts of land this reserve is the place to go if you are seeking to get away from the hustle and bustle
of civilisation.
Location
Situated in the centre of Botswana the reserve can be accessed either from the east near Rakops, the west near Ghanzi or in the south through
Khutse Game Reserve.
The reserve is split into two areas - the northern part of the reserve which is the most frequently visited part and the remote
southern section of the reserve where visitors are scarce. Because of this it is only advisable to travel south of the Deception Valley area if you
are in a convoy of more than two vehicles and have sufficient supplies if you get stranded.
Wildlife
Despite the lack of some of the larger mammals such as Elephant, Hippo and Buffalo this reserve nevertheless can be equally as rewarding as the
more popular game reserves. The Kalahari is renowned for its impressive black-maned lions and the habitat of wide open pans makes this reserve one
of the best places for seeing Cheetah in Botswana.
Camping
The CKGR has a number of campsites each pleasantly situated though remember that there are no facilities provided as civilisation is kept to
a bare minimum. In my opinion some of the best campsites are Sunday Pan 2 & 3, the Kori campsites and the campsites at Piper's Pan though the
latter are a good 100km from the more frequented Deception Valley area of the Reserve.
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
General
In 1999 an agreement was made to manage South Africa's Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Botswana's Gemsbok National Park as a single ecological unit.
Subsequently, in 2000, these two National Parks were combined to create the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) - Southern Africa's first trans-border
conservation area or peace park.
Location
The KTP is located in the south west of Botswana and straddles the border with South Africa. Almost 75% of this 38,000 sq km Park is located in Botswana
however the vast majority of the Botswana side is inaccessible to tourists.
There are three entrance gates into the Park - Twee Rivieren (Two Rivers) in the south, Kaa in the north and Mabuasehube in the east. A border post is
located at Twee Rivieren for visitors wishing to enter through Botswana and exit through South Africa or vice versa.
Wildlife
Although similar to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve the habitat is harsher with spectacular sand dunes comprising much of this vast area. The wildlife
is concentrated along the Nossob & Auob valleys as well as around the calcrete pans of Mabuasehube.
Despite the harsh conditions this area has good concentrations of wildlife, with 60 mammals and over 300 birds, and is well known for its
predators, particularly its black-maned lions. Desert antelope such as Gemsbok, Springbok, Eland and Wildebeest are commonly seen as well as Kudu, Steenbok
and even Giraffe. Unlike the Central Kalahari both Spotted and Brown Hyena occur here and Wild dog are occasionally seen.
Camping
The Botswana side of the KTP is more remote (only accessible with 4x4s) with the campsites having only basic facilities if any at all. There are campsites
at each of the large pans in Mabuasehube - Khiding, Lesholoago, Mabuasehube, Bosobogolo, Mpayathutlwa and Monamodi - as well as along the eastern side of the Nossob
valley at Polentswa, Rooiputs and Two Rivers.
On the South African side the roads are accessible by saloon cars and, in keeping with that, the campsites at the rest camps - Twee Rivieren, Nossob and
Mata Mata - are fenced and have facilities such as shops and fuel. There are chalets available here as well as at the wilderness camps at Grootkolk,
Kieliekrankie, Urikaruus, Gharagab and Bitterpan.
- Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
General
The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park was set up to protect the fragile environment around the Salt Pans which extend into the southern section of the
Park. The village of Khumaga is located on the northern border of the Park and this has resulted in an ongoing conflict between livestock and Lions
which often leave the Park to hunt the easy-to-catch livestock. A controversial fence has recently been built to prevent the Lions from leaving the Park.
Location
Bordering the Boteti River in the north and covering the northern tip Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in the south this Park, whilst not having as high a
concentration of game as other areas, is well worth exploring. The vast expanse of the Makgadikgadi Pans is a sight to behold with salt-baked sands
stretching as far as the eye can see. The southern section of the Park is mostly flat grassland with sparse shrub however the northern section along
the Boteti river is wooded with lush vegetation.
Wildlife
The Makgadikgadi Pans, when in flood during the summer, attract vast flocks of Flamingos and Pelicans as well as other waterbirds however, during the
dry season this section of the Park is less rewarding. The currently dry Boteti river, to the north, has a number of Hippo pools which attract game such
as Wildebeest, Zebra and the inevitable Lions. The Zebra migration from Phuduhudu to the Khumaga area of the Park is one of the highlights of this area
with large herds of Zebra filling the air with their calls.
Camping
There are two campsites in the Park. The Njuca hills (little more than mounds but any rise in the ground is significant in this flat landscape) in the south
has two campsites with a bush toilet as the only facility. Khumaga campsite in the north has 5 campstands and is pleasantly situated overlooking the
Boteti river bed. There is no water available at Njuca hills and the Khumaga water has a strong sulphur smell and is unsuitable for drinking.
- Nxai Pan National Park
General
This National Park has recently been extended to incorporate the area surrounding Baine's Baobabs (pictured) which were made famous by Thomas Baine's
painting in the late 1800's. The main focal point of the Park is Nxai Pan a large grass covered pan.
Location
Situated on the opposite side of the Nata - Maun road to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park the entrance gate is 28km from the main road though it
was through deep sand and took over 2hrs. The government had graded the road last time we were there and this significantly reduced the time it
took to get to the entrance gate.
Wildlife
The Pan attracts a number of plains game such as Gemsbok and Springbok and the surrounding bushveld provides habitat for Giraffe, Kudu and Impala.
This is the only place in Botswana where Springbok and Impala occur together naturally. The Pan provides perfect habitat for Cheetah and the waterhole
on the Pan provides the focal point for interactions between Lions and their prey. Wild Dog can occasionally be seen here and Elephant often come
this far south in the summer months.
Camping
Two campsites are found in the Park one on the south side of Nxai Pan and one at
Baines baobabs. South Camp is situated in a grove of large trees providing ample shade during the hot summer months (see photo) and has basic ablutions, picnic
tables and standpipes. Although water is available it should be boiled and treated before it is drunk.
Baines baobabs campsite has no facilities or water and is situated on Kudiakam pan near to these impressive trees.
- Khama Rhino Sanctuary
General
One of
Botswana's smallest reserves, the 4300 hectare Sanctuary was established
in 1989 with the aim of facilitating the reintroduction of White Rhino
into Botswana after their numbers had been severely depleted by poachers.
The Sanctuary provides perfect habitat for the grazing White Rhino
with 2 large grassveld pans, as well as good habitat for the their
browsing relatives the Black Rhino.
Location
Situated 25km to the north of Serowe
on the Serowe - Orapa road the Rhino Sanctuary is a popular destination
for tourists traveling to the Moremi & Chobe in the North of Botswana.
Wildlife
Apart from being the best place in Botswana to see White Rhino in the wild the Sanctuary is also home to more than 30 species of animals
and more than 230 species of birds making it a good wildlife location in its own right.
Accommodation
The Sanctuary has two camps - Mokongwa Camp has 5 chalets and 13 campsites situated in a very pleasant grove of Mokongwa trees.
The Boma Camp is nearer the pan and has an A-frame chalet as well as 3 smaller squaredavels ideal for backpackers.
Click here to view more information on this site about the KRS.
