Exemplary protection of rhinos in Serowe.
Stopover at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Serowe
The Khama Rhino Sanctuary was established in 1992 by the people of Serowe to protect and breed White Rhinos. It was started with 4 animals on 8585 ha. By boosting tourism, jobs were also to be created for the local population.
At the time of our visit, 63 white rhinos and 7 black rhinos were living in the KRS. Zebras and antelopes like Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, Eland, Springbok, Impala, Gemsbok, Kudu, Steenbok, Duiker, Red Hartebeest were settled or migrated. Meanwhile, the richly laid table also attracted Leopard, Ostrich, African Wild Cat, Caracal, Lesser Spotted Crake, Black-backed Jackal, Bat-eared Fox, Brown Hyena. More than 230 bird species complete the fauna of the KRS.
To deter potential poachers, the rhinos are guarded day and night by soldiers of the Botswana army.
The 350 km to Serowe pass uneventfully. As so often, we stop at Katees in Mahalapye for some fatcakes (doughnuts). As always, they are heavy on the stomach!
Before we replenish our supplies in Serowe, we look for the shell of Modise's future house. He has some problems with the contractors (probably a global problem). We document the construction progress and inform Modise via Whatsapp. Around 3:00 p.m. Modise's sister Jane welcomes us at the gate to the KRS with a glass of Amarula on ice. A pleasant surprise. Jane is responsible for looking after school classes in the attached Education Centre and immediately accompanies us on a private gamedrive.
Jane organizes Campsite No. 5 for us, the most beautiful site under an imposing baobab tree. We forgo a visit to the restaurant and enjoy our grilled impala steaks. After 3 days of hectic city life we enjoy the peace and seclusion again. During the night the leopard visits us, as we find out the next morning from the tracks.
Through the diamond area to the Central Kalahari.
After our last shower for the next 4 days and a short morning gamedrive, we set off on the 340 km drive to Rakops, the gateway to the Central Kalahari.
In Lethlakane, a town tangent to 3 diamond mines, we fill up on diesel and food. The mines are huge and the tailings piles stretch for several kilometers parallel to the road.
To the right and left of the road it becomes drier and drier. From Mopipi on, only dust can be seen. (Photo)
Shortly after Rakops a sign shows us the way to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR). We stop and reduce the tire pressure. - Driver change.
The 45 km long sand road to Matswere Gate has its pitfalls, but is now in the dry season better to drive on than expected. In less than an hour we are at the gate.
