Overview – Khutse Game Reserve
Khutse Game Reserve is a most loved retreat for Gaborone visitors or residents due to its vicinity and relative accessibility to the country's capital. The 240 km drive takes the voyager through various fascinating Kalahari towns, including the ‘gateway to the Kalahari,' Molepolole. The reserve is important for an ancient river system that once streamed northeast to fill the ancient Lake Makgadikgadi. Khutse's Pans and dry river valleys are remains of this river system.
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Wildlife13 animals
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High SeasonJuly to October
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Best Time to GoDecember to March
Pros & Cons
- Easily accessible from Gaborone
- Amazing desert scenery
- Gives a glimpse of the Central Kalahari
- Very limited wildlife viewing options are available
- No accommodation options in or near the park
- Only one campsite is available with basic facilities
- Very hot and dry climate
Khutse Game Reserve Map in Africa
Khutse Game Reserve Safari Reviews
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Wildlife & Animals – Khutse Game Reserve
Khutse Game reserve has very limited wildlife viewing options. Animals commonly sighted include springbok (often in abundance), gemsbok (often common), South African giraffe, wildebeest, hartebeest, kudu, black-backed jackal, steenbok, duiker, and the accompanying predator which include lion, African leopard, South African cheetah, wildcat, and the endangered brown hyena.
Wildlife Highlights
The rare and very shy brown hyena can sometimes be seen at sunrise or sunset. Of the smaller predators, suricate and yellow mongoose are very common, and bat-eared foxes are effectively spotted when they are denning. There have been occasional cheetah sightings in the reserve too.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
The best time for wildlife viewing in Khutse is in the Wet season, generally from December to March when animals assemble around the pans. Although, some roads can become difficult to navigate during this time.
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Birds – Khutse Game Reserve
Khutse Game Reserve borders the Central Kalahari and is part of the same environment. A great deal of the bird species cross over, however, the park is significantly easier to visit. The reserve is especially good for raptors because of the abundant quantities of little animals for them to feed on. Ostrich and kori bustard are common nearby and big flocks of sandgrouse come to drink at the water openings.
Notable Birds in Khutse Game Reserve
Best Time for Bird Watching
Khutse Game Reserve is an excellent park for bird watching throughout the year. However, the best time to visit is in the Wet season from November to April, when migratory birds are available. It is also the time when a lot of birds can be seen in breeding plumage such as the whydahs transforming their plumage from drab to spectacular.
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Best Time to Visit – Khutse Game Reserve
Khutse Game reserve can be visited throughout the year. The best time for wildlife viewing in Khutse is during the wet season from December to March, when animals gather around the pans. At this time, some roads might become impassable as they can get very muddy. In April and May, the roads can be much better, and there are still a lot of animals around.
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Best Time
December to March
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High Season
July to October
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Low Season
November to June
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Best Weather
May to August
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Worst Weather
January
April to October (Dry Season)
- Roads are in better condition, so driving is easier in the park
- It's cooler in the middle of the day
- Good time for wildlife viewing as there is still water in the pans
- July to October is high season, and some lodges might charge high season rates
- The sky is hazy with a lot of dust in the air
April to October (Wet Season)
- Plenty of baby animals that attract predators
- Birding is best as migratory birds are present
- The scenery is beautiful and at its most lush
- The pans fill up, and animals gather to drink
- Extreme Hot climate
- Roads become impassable
- Afternoon Rains can create challenges in planned activities
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Activities – Khutse Game Reserve
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Safari Reviews – Khutse Game Reserve
Want to Visit Khutse Game Reserve?
Photo Gallery – Khutse Game Reserve
