Name: Khutse Game Reserve
Address: Botswana

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.

High Season

July to October

Best Time to Go

December 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

Map in Botswana

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Gallery Images

Explore the stunning beauty of Khutse Game Reserve through our curated collection of photographs showcasing its landscapes, wildlife, and natural wonders.

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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.

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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.

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Best Time to Visit – Khutse Game Reserve

High Season

July to October

Low Season

Seasonal rains can affect access in some areas

Best Weather

Typically during dry months; check local patterns

Worst Weather

Peak of Wet season; very hot months vary by region

May to October (Dry Season)

Less vegetation and animals concentrate around water, making them easier to spot
The skies are clear, rain is rare, and there are fewer mosquitoes
Even though most tourists visit during the Dry season, the parks still feel uncrowded, except for the bustling Chobe riverfront area