Extra informatie (Engelstalig) / information
De informatie op deze pagina komt van het boek ' The Shell Tourist Travel and Field Guide of Botwana '.
Vierde editie 2006 (engelstalig) ISBN 0-620-34976-X.
The information on this page are from the book ' The Shell Tourist Travel and Field Guide of Botwana ' .
Fourth edition 2006. ISBN 0-620-34976-X
The Khama Rhino Sanctuary is situated on the main tourist road between Serowe ( 25km north) and Orapa.(180km south-east)
recommended stop-over with a few chance to see a White Rhino in the wild in Botswana. Apart from White Rhino's there are
28 other animal species to be seen as well 230 bird species.
The sanctuary covers approximately 4300 hectares of Kalahary sandveld. It is centred around the Serwe Pan - a large
grass-covered depression with several natural water holes. The site was chosen due to its suitable habitat for rhino and
is central location and proximity to a Botswana Defence Force (BDF) base. Wich provides the sanctuary with 24 hour
protection against poaching.
History and people
Khama Rhino Sanctuary is run by a commuity trust and is reliant upon donor funding. The idea of a wildlife reserve in the
Serowe area was conseived by several local residents in 1989, and the Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust was officially
established in 1992. As a community trust, it is governed by a board of trustees from the local communities of Serowe,
Peje and Mabeteapudi. Lieutenant General Ian Seretse Khama, Paramount chief of the Bamangwato and vice president of the
country , is patron of the trust. Confidence in the trust and its achievements have been expressed by the Soutern Africa
Rhino Specialist Group, which is keen to establish the Khama Rhino Sanctuary as a breeding centre for re-population of
White Rhino in Botswana. In addition, Botswana's Departement of Wildlife and National Parks has also reaffirmed its
commtment to re-introducing Black Rhino into the country and the Khama Rhino Sanctuary wil be used for this. Most of the
Rhinos that were re-established in Moremi Game Reserve are from Khama Rhino Sanctuary.
Fauna and Flora
The sanctuary is situated on Kalahari sandveld savannah, in deep Kalahari sands. The Serwe Pan is a large grass-covered
depression with several natural waterholes. The Serwe pan with its nutritious grasses provides prime habitat for White
Rhino and other grazing animals such as |ebra and Wildebeest, whilst the denser vegetation in the southern portion of the
sanctuary is favoured by browsing animals as Kudu and Giraffe. The Sandveld consist mainly of Camelthorn (Acacia erioloba)
Silver Terminalia (Terminalia sericea) Kalahari Appleleaf ( Lonchocarpus nelsii) Black Thorn (Acacia mellifera) Coffee
bean ( Bauhinia petersiana) False Marula ( Lannea sweinfurtii) Vilolet Tree ( Securidaca longipedunculata) Wild Raisin
Bushes ( Grewia spp) Corkybark Monkey Orange ( Strychnos coccoloides) and Lekkerbreek (Ochna pulchra) The Kalahari
Buschveld comprises mixed Acacia/Combretum veld.
In June 2002 there were 20 White Rhinos in the sanctuary. In February 1993 the first four Rhinos were translocated from
northern Botwana. Subsequently, more Rhinos were brought in from Pilansberg, the Kruger National Park and other parts of
Botwana, many of which bred sucesfully. The sanctuary is home to other wild animals such as Zebra, Blue Wildebeest,
Giraffe, Eland, Springbok, Impala, Gemsbok, Kudu, Steenbok, Duiker, Red Hartebeest, Leopard, Ostrich, African Wild Cat,
Caracal, Small spotted Genet, Porcupine, Black-backed Jackal, Bat-eared Fox and Brown Hyena.
Over 230 bird species have also been indentified here including Abdim's Stork and the Bearded Woodpecker.
Where to Stay
There is a lodge called Lentswe Lodge just outside Serowe as well the Serowe hotel in the town. In the sanctuary there are
Camping facilities at Mokongwa Camp. The campsite are situated under large Mokongwa trees wich provide each side shade
and privacy. Facillities include modern ablution blocks with hot and cold water. Its a good place to begin or end the
holiday in Botswana.
|
