Khama Rhino Sanctuary | Serowe

The Khama Rhino Sanctuary near Serowe feels like one of Botswana’s most grounded conservation success stories, a place where wide Kalahari grasslands and acacia thickets shelter some of the country’s most protected wildlife. The sanctuary was founded in the early 1990s when poaching threatened both black and white rhinos across the region, and today it stands as a calm, semi-wild refuge where these animals can thrive in safety. Arriving at the main gate, you often notice the dry scent of sand and camelthorn bark drifting through the air, along with the quiet hum of wind brushing over the open plains.

A landscape shaped for conservation
The sanctuary stretches across broad pans, gently rolling dunes, and shaded woodlands. Serwe Pan, its central open basin, becomes the heart of wildlife viewing. Early in the morning, the pan usually lies still with a pale shimmer, and then-almost suddenly-you catch the silhouettes of rhinos grazing in the cool air. Their slow, deliberate movements carry a sense of ancient rhythm, and occasionally a calf stays close to its mother, its small horns still barely formed.

Rhino viewing in a natural setting
White rhinos are the stars here, often seen feeding peacefully on short grass near the edge of the pan. Black rhinos are more elusive, moving deeper into dense thickets where they browse on leaves and branches. Drivers sometimes pause quietly on sandy tracks, waiting for a rhino to emerge from the brush. You notice the crunch of dry acacia pods under the vehicle’s tires, the dust rising in soft spirals, and then the unmistakable shape of a rhino stepping into the light.

Wildlife beyond the rhinos
Although rhinos define the sanctuary, the wider ecosystem supports a healthy mix of other species. Herds of wildebeest and impala cross the open plains with a restless energy. Giraffes linger near tall trees, peeling bark in slow, gentle motions. In the late afternoon, small troops of baboons settle near waterholes, their chatter echoing across the pan. Birdlife is abundant too-lilac-breasted rollers flick bright color against the sky, while kori bustards stride across the grass with calm authority. On quiet evenings, you might hear a distant jackal call, sharp and lingering.

A visitor experience shaped by stillness and space
The sanctuary’s roads are unhurried, mostly sandy tracks that encourage slow driving and careful observation. Picnic spots tucked beneath large acacias offer shaded breaks, where visitors often sit with a breeze carrying the warm scent of dry grass. The modest campsite and chalets create a simple, natural stay-nights there often bring the soft crackle of the fire and the occasional rustle from animals passing nearby. The sky opens wide, filled with stars that stretch across the horizon in a bright, steady sweep.

Community-led conservation at the core
One of the sanctuary’s defining qualities is its community ownership. Local residents helped create it and remain closely involved, giving the entire place a sense of shared guardianship. Rangers speak with quiet pride about successful breeding seasons or new calves spotted during patrols. Their presence reminds visitors that this is not only a wildlife refuge but also a living example of how a community can protect its own natural heritage.

The Khama Rhino Sanctuary leaves a calm, lasting impression-wide spaces, gentle wildlife encounters, and the steady feeling of being in a place where protection and wilderness coexist with genuine purpose.