Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Botswana

Tour Operator: G Adventures

We rose early in Johannesburg, to another power grid efficiency hour. We started our big adventure out of South Africa by candle-lit breakfast, served by the incredible team at the Airport Game Lodge. Then, the big moment every overland adventurer looks forward to after booking this trip – meeting LANDO!

Lando is a key piece of the experience of overlanding across Africa with G Adventures. This beast packs all our gear, takes us over bumpy roads, and beacons to all locals that new adventurers have arrived. More than I can count, rolling in to new areas in the Lando signalled a warm welcome from kids, locals and tourism operators who were determined to make us feel like we’ve arrived exactly where we needed to be. Today, Lando carries us overland from South Africa into Botswana. Travelling through a very desolate part of central-eastern Botswana.

Border Crossing: South Africa to Botswana

Traveled by Lando (570KM!)

Our first of many nights camping across Africa, at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, a unique community-based initiative in wildlife conservation. (Booking also available via Expedia for chalet rooms.)

The Khama Rhino Sanctuary (KRS) is a community based wildlife project, established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhinoceros, restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its previous natural state and provide economic benefits to the local Botswana community through tourism and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Covering approximately, 8585 hectares, providing prime habitat for white and black rhino as well as over 30 other animal species and more than 230 species of birds.

Upon arrival, we slathered on sunscreen after getting off the Lando and hopping right into an open-air safari vehicle to search for the sanctuary’s rhinos, and other wildlife species.

[Teg’s Tip: Get familiar with UV index, friends. For many of us, the sun is hotter in Africa, even on overcast days.]

“I wonder how many days in Africa until I get to spot a Giraffe?” was my biggest question upon arrival to Africa. Approximately 2 days since arrival, and 10 minutes in on my first safari!

On this safari, we were introduced to the importance of learning more about rhino conservation and the realities of poaching. Read more about ““Botswana will become the next Noah’s Ark for rhinos in Africa”

Today was a lot of firsts: first ride in the Lando, first safari, first time setting up my tent under the blanket of stars, first campfire – all firsts, that quickly became daily routine for the next month.

When I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, I really did not know how big of an adventure my next few days would really be – next up, the Okavango Delta recap!

But for now, enjoy all these wildlife shots from my first safari in Botswana.