Stretching over 40 square kilometres in the Kalahari Sandveld in Botswana, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a community-based wildlife project. It provides an important habitat for black and white rhino, as well as over 30 other animal species and over 230 species of birds. Visitors can look forward to a variety of wonderful conservation-based activities including walking safaris guided game drives, and more. Aside from rhino, other commonly spotted wildlife include wildebeest, brown hyenas, impalas, ostriches, and leopards. Don't miss the Serwe Pan - a large grass-covered expanse dotted with a collection of natural water holes that make it the perfect spot to catch a glimpse of an array of game.
Set in the heart of the dry savanna of northeastern Botswana, the Makgadikgadi Pan is the world's largest network of salt pans stretching over 3900 square kilometres and formed on the bed of the ancient Makgadikgadi Lake that began evaporating aeons ago. Visiting Makgadikgadi is a unique salt desert experience: in the dry season, this vast expanse of sun-baked salt glistens in the light, and when the rains come, the pan is home to a cornucopia of flamingos and other waterbirds, as well as one of Africa's largest zebra populations, whose annual migration is a wonder to behold. Visitors can immerse themselves in the stark beauty of this incredible landscape, spot a host of wildlife and enjoy a number of activities, including horse riding safaris, game drives, and excellent birdwatching. Other highlights include: quad biking across the vast expanse of dry salt pans or jumping in a helicopter and viewing countless flamingo flocks creating a magnificent pink spectacle dotting the landscape.
North-eastern Botwana’s Boteti River, within the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, lies on the grounds of an ancient lake, within a region where some of the first ‘homo sapiens’ (humans) lived. This area is an essential part of the massive annual migration - visitors can look forward to seeing enormous herds of oryx, wildebeests, impalas, zebras, and springbok as well as elephants and hippopotamuses along the riverbank. The river also provides prime bird-watching opportunities, with large flocks of flamingos and numerous other species calling it home. Besides the usual nature reserve activities, try taking a small chartered plane for the best views of the herds; go quad biking across salt flats and sleep there under the stars, or take a cultural tour to see ancient tribal sites.
Adjoining the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park on its northern border, the Nxai Pans were once salt lakes. Today, the Nxai Pan National Park preserves this precious area, which is rich in biodiversity and is now characterised by grasslands dotted with trees and small pans that fill in the rainy season. The striking, famous Baines Baobabs, first drawn by the renowned explorer in the 1860s are a must-see, and there are several activities to look forward to. Take a 4WD sunset or sunrise game drive, or a birdwatching tour. The Nxai Pan is a breeding ground for wildebeest, gemsbok, zebra, and eland, and an impressive list of other animals can be seen quite easily too including lions, ostriches, giraffes, cheetahs, jackals, bat-eared fox, and even the elusive nocturnal porcupine.
Situated 180 kilometres north of Francistown, the small village of Nata is a popular stopover between Maun and Kasane along the ‘game drive route’ (there is often a chance to catch a glimpse of wildlife along the way). The unique surrounding landscapes feature white sand, tall termite mounds, and Mokolwane palm trees. The Nata Sanctuary is a particular highlight for avid bird watchers, where lucky visitors can be rewarded with large flocks of Flamingos and Pelicans, which breed here each year. The town is also a perfect base for exploring the legendary and spectacular Makgadikgadi Pans, where quad biking and four-wheel-drive tours can be enjoyed.
Straddling the Limpopo, Motloutse and Shashe rivers, in the easternmost corner of Botswana, the Northern Tuli Game Reserve is one of Southern Africa’s largest privately-owned natural reserves. This impressive expanse of protected wilderness features some extraordinarily scenic landscapes characterised by bushland, riverine forests, and marshland dotted with dramatic sandstone cliffs and uniquely shaped basalt rock formations. Visitors can look forward to spotting a diverse range of African wildlife while driving, hiking, cycling, horse riding, or even hot air ballooning around the reserve. Commonly spotted wildlife species include: elephant, lion, wildebeest, cheetah, zebra, leopard, hyena, impala, warthog, kudu, waterbuck, steenbok, large herds of eland, and a remarkable variety of bird species.
