Location: 10 km South of Gaborone Map
Area: 30 km2
Mokolodi Nature Reserve is a privately owned, non-profit nature reserve located in southern Botswana, approximately 10 km south of the capital, Gaborone. Established in 1994 by the Mokolodi Wildlife Foundation, it covers approximately 30 km² of donated land. The reserve is a refuge for a wide range of African wildlife, including rare and endangered species, and has an important educational and conservation mission.
Mokolodi has a varied landscape, including river valleys, rocky hills, savannahs and small bodies of water such as the picturesque Lake Gwithian, which has picnic areas. The area is surrounded by the typical southern Botswana semi-arid vegetation of acacia and shrubs, creating a natural environment for the animals that live here.
The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife. Here you can see giraffes, zebras, southern white rhinoceros, antelope (gemsbok, kudu, impala, waterbuck), mountain reedbuck, red hartebeest, hippopotamus, Nile crocodiles, brown hyenas and leopards. Particular attention is paid to the white rhino breeding program, which is helping to restore their population in Botswana. Special enclosures house cheetahs and African wild dogs, while a rehabilitation centre cares for sick or orphaned animals. The area also includes a reptile park with species such as the black mamba, Mozambique spitting cobra and blowfish, and an aviary with birds including white-backed and Cape vultures. In total, the reserve has over 300 bird species.
The climate is semi-arid, with hot summers (October-March) when temperatures can exceed 35-40°C, and cooler winters (May-August) when they drop to 5-10°C at night. The rainy season (November-April) brings rainfall that revives the vegetation, but sometimes makes some roads difficult to navigate.
Mokolodi offers a variety of activities, including jeep safaris (day and night), guided walks, rhino and giraffe tracking, cheetah visits, elephant walks and cycling routes. Visitors can explore the area on their own in their own vehicles or join organised tours. The area offers campsites, chalets overlooking the waterholes, a restaurant with traditional cuisine, a conference centre and a gift shop. The reserve is often closed during the rainy season (December to March), so it is worth checking availability before visiting.
Mokolodi's main mission is environmental education and conservation. Every year, thousands of schoolchildren from Botswana, including children from disadvantaged backgrounds, are brought here to introduce them to wildlife. Revenue from tourism and events goes towards supporting these programmes. The reserve also includes a research and breeding centre for rare species, an animal hospital and a sanctuary for orphaned wildlife.