Khutse Game Reserve, Kalahari Desert Travel Guide

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Discover Botswana's Khutse Game Reserve: A serene Kalahari escape with diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and authentic wilderness adventures.

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Khutse Game Reserve

Escape to Botswana's Khutse Game Reserve, a tranquil wilderness on the southern edge of the Kalahari Desert. Established in 1971, this 2,500 sq km reserve offers a serene safari experience with diverse wildlife, picturesque pans, and vast grasslands. Ideal for self-drive adventures and camping under the stars.

A brief summary to Khutse Game Reserve

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Khutse Game Reserve.

A 4x4 vehicle is essential for navigating the sandy tracks within the reserve.
Bring sufficient water, fuel, and supplies, as there are no shops or fuel stations within the reserve.
Book campsites in advance, especially for weekends and South African holidays.
The best time to visit for wildlife viewing is during the wet season (December to March).
Pay park conservation fees in advance or have cash available.

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Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Bahurutshe Cultural Village

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Manyana Rock Paintings

Explore Khutse Game Reserve on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Khutse Game Reserve, mapped for you.

Getting There

Driving

From Gaborone, take the A1 highway north towards Molepolole. From Molepolole, continue on the Mahalapye-Molepolole Road towards Khutse Game Reserve. The journey from Molepolole to the reserve is on sand tracks, requiring a 4x4 vehicle. The last fuel station is in Molepolole, so fill up before heading to the reserve. Khutse South Gate is 100 km north of Letlhakeng, most of which is on a good gravel road. Roughly 10 km before the gate, the road turns to sand. Deflate your tires before entering the park. Park entry fees are payable in cash. Entrance fee for non-residents is approximately BWP 190 per person per day, plus BWP 75 for the vehicle.

Discover more about Khutse Game Reserve

Khutse Game Reserve, meaning 'place where you can kneel down and drink' in Setswana, offers an authentic Kalahari experience. Established in 1971, it is the second game reserve in Botswana to be established on tribal land. This 2,500 sq km reserve shares an unfenced border with the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) to the north, creating a vast, uninterrupted wilderness. Khutse's landscape features rolling grasslands, dry riverbeds, fossil dunes, and grassed and bare pans, remnants of an ancient river system that once flowed into Lake Makgadikgadi.Khutse is known for its tranquil atmosphere and diverse wildlife. Commonly sighted animals include springbok, gemsbok, giraffe, wildebeest, hartebeest, kudu, black-backed jackal, steenbok, duiker, lion, leopard, cheetah, and the endangered brown hyena. The best time for wildlife viewing is during the wet season (December to March) when animals congregate around the pans. However, the dry season (May to October) offers excellent predator sightings. Game drives are centered around the pans, including Motailane, Moreswa, and Molose.Visitors can explore Khutse on self-drive safaris and camp at designated campsites. There are several loop trails, including a shorter 24 km northern loop around Sekhushwe and Mohurusile pans, and a longer drive to Moreswa Pan (64 km from the headquarters, or a 120 km loop). The San and Bakgalagadi peoples live in small villages on the reserve's edge, offering opportunities to purchase traditional arts and crafts. Khutse is easily accessible from Gaborone, making it a popular weekend retreat.