English
French
Starting from
$400PP
Overview
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.
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
Map in Botswana
Want to Visit Khutse Game Reserve?
Gallery Images
Explore the stunning beauty of Khutse Game Reserve through our curated collection of photographs showcasing its landscapes, wildlife, and natural wonders.
Want to Visit Khutse Game Reserve?
Wildlife & Animals
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.
Want to Visit Khutse Game Reserve?
Birds
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.
Best Time for Birding
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.
Want to Visit Khutse Game Reserve?
Best Time to Visit – Khutse Game Reserve
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.
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
November to March (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
Want to Visit Khutse Game Reserve?
Activities
Explore popular activities available in and around Khutse Game Reserve.
Want to Visit Khutse Game Reserve?
No FAQs available for this park yet.
