Overview–botswana

Mokolodi Nature Reserve

Mokolodi Nature Reserve is a small, private reserve on the outskirts of Gaborone. Day visitors can drive themselves in the reserve, or book a two-hour, open-vehicle day or night drive. Tourism is only one of Mokolodi’s operations; it also has a white rhino breeding program and a wildlife sanctuary that supports sick or injured wildlife. Activities include rhino and giraffe tracking.

Scenery

Just 12km/7 mi from Gaborone, the reserve is a nice retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. There is a dam on the reserve, and rolling hills extend to the horizon.

Visitor Experience Mokolodi Nature Reserve offers numerous activities for visitors including game drives (both self-drive and guided), horseback safaris, rhino tracking, giraffe tracking, and cheetah visits. The reserve also features facilities such as camping sites, chalets for accommodation, picnic areas, and an education center with a museum and library. Regular events like lectures and photography competitions enhance the visitor experience.

Facilities The infrastructure within the reserve includes well-maintained paths for wildlife viewing and several amenities designed to accommodate tourists. Visitors can enjoy bush breakfasts or barbecues while taking in the scenic views of the surrounding landscape.

Best Time to Visit Mokolodi can be visited year-round due to its favorable climate; however, the dry season (May to September) is often preferred for wildlife watching as animals are easier to spot when vegetation is less dense.

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Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: May to September (Dry season)

High Season

From: Never (The reserve follows tourist seasons)

Size

From: 51km² / 20mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Mokolodi Nature Reserve is more a zoo than a wildlife reserve, but there are a lot of animals that can be seen in a natural setting. Introduced wildlife includes white rhino, giraffe, zebra, kudu, impala, waterbuck, klipspringer, baboon, and hippo. A couple of cheetahs are kept in a separate enclosure and a drive-through cheetah experience, including an educational talk, is available for booking.

Wildlife Highlights

White rhinos and giraffes can be tracked as an activity, and there is a reptile center with an opportunity to hold a python. The two-hour night drive offers a chance to see some of the nocturnal animals in the reserve, such as porcupines, wild cats, brown hyenas, servals, and aardvark.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Due to the nature of the reserve, there isn’t a best time for wildlife viewing, as is the case in the bigger reserves that are part of an ecosystem. The only consideration is the condition of the roads. If you are self-driving in the reserve, a 4x4 is essential in the rainy season, from November to April. The reserve sometimes closes from December to March, so it is advisable to phone before driving out there.

General Wheather

Mokolodi Nature Reserve has a hot, semi-arid climate. During summer, days are hot, but nights are cool. During winter, days are still warm, but nights are cold. Rainfall is erratic, but most of the precipitation falls in the summer months, between October and April.

Dry Season –May to September – winter

In general, winters have little to no rainfall, and the humidity is low. The days are pleasant and the nights are cold.

May – Temperatures of 12°C/54°F in the morning and 23°C/73°F in the afternoon mark the end of summer.
June, July & August – The average minimum temperature is 8°C/47°F, so nights and early mornings are chilly. The middle of the day is nice and clear, with agreeable temperatures hovering around 22°C/72°F.
September – A lovely time of year with afternoon temperatures of around 27°C/81°F and warmer mornings of around 15°C/59°F. Ideal conditions for wildlife watching.

Wet Season –October to April – summer

It gets very hot in summer, but the humidity level is quite low, which makes it more tolerable. Although this is the Wet season, it seldom rains all day, but storms in the afternoon are frequent events.

October & November – Afternoon rain is more common as summer progresses, clearing the hazy skies. Temperatures hover between 19°C/66°F in the morning and 30°C/86°F in the afternoon.
December, January & February – These are the wettest months, and it often rains in the afternoon or the evening. The rain usually passes quite quickly though. Daytime temperatures are typically around 30°C/86°F.
March & April – A cooling trend develops, and the rains gradually disappear. April is sunny, and daytime temperatures average 26°C/79°F. Nights are mild, with temperatures of about 16°C/61°F.

Prons

Easy day trip from Gaborone
Very affordable
A good alternative to accommodation in the city
Self-drive and guided drives are both options
Cycling on three mountain bike tracks is available
Great for children
Bush breakfast and bush barbecues are available
Rhino or giraffe tracking
Easy photography

Cons

More an elaborate zoo than a wildlife reserve

How To Get There

Mokolodi Nature Reserve is located 12km/7 mi south of Gaborone. The park is an easy day trip from the city and is popular with business travelers and expats.

It is possible to drive to the reserve from Gaborone, and you can either self-drive in the park or take a guided 2-hour safari. It is also possible to take a bus from the city, which drops you 1.5km/1 mi from the park entrance.

Botswana’s main airport, Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE), is located 11km/7 mi north of Gaborone, the capital. Your tour operator will meet you there and will organize further transportation for you, or you can pick up a 4x4 at the airport if you have booked a self-drive safari.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE), and what tickets would cost.