Mokolodi Nature Reserve
Wildlife & Animals
Botswana Parks
Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Botswana.
When compared with Botswana’s other safari destinations, Mokolodi Nature Reserve feels more like a zoo than a wildlife reserve. But if you’re in Gaborone (the capital city), it’s a great place to see a range of introduced mammals, such as giraffe, zebra, kudu, impala, waterbuck, steenbok, gemsbok, klipspringer, baboon and hippo. A couple of cheetah are kept in a separate enclosure. The park also has eight to 10 reintroduced white rhino, and while leopard is present, it is very rarely seen.
Wildlife Highlights
White rhino and giraffe can be tracked as an activity in Mokolodi, and there is a reptile center where it is possible to hold a python. The two-hour night drive offers a chance to see some of the nocturnal animals in the reserve, such as porcupine, wild cat, brown hyena, serval and aardvark.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
Unlike the bigger reserves that are part of an ecosystem, there isn’t really a best time for wildlife viewing in Mokolodi. However, animals are easier to spot in the drier months, from April to October, when the undergrowth thins out. The other consideration is the condition of the roads. If you are self-driving in Mokolodi, a 4x4 vehicle is essential in the Wet season, from November to March. The reserve sometimes closes for a few weeks between December and March.
