This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

Skip to main content

Talk to an expert 1-800-242-2434 Lines open now

User menu
Black Rhino
Asset 19

Black Rhino

Where to see Black Rhino in Botswana

The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.


About image

Quick facts about Black Rhino

Scientific name: Diceros bicornis Habitat: Scrub & open woodland
IUCN status: Critically Endangered Adult weight: 800–1,400kg

You shouldn’t count on seeing a black rhino in Botswana. This may seem surprising, given the country’s prolific wildlife. In fact, the species was once widespread here but, as elsewhere, suffered heavy poaching during the late 20th century and by 1992 was extinct. Reintroduction began in 2003, with black rhinos translocated from South Africa to the Okavango Delta. Success since has been mixed, with a significant spike in poaching during the tourism hiatus around the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. Further reintroductions have since followed. A 2023 estimate put Botswana’s black rhino population at just 23 individuals. In the long term, with adequate security, the Okavango could become a stronghold for the species.


±5,500

Current population

1.3 m

Record horn length

50 km/h

Max. speed

16 months

Gestation period

The top camps for seeing black rhino in Botswana

Based on 6 reports by our travellers since Oct 2018, visitors at these camps in Botswana have the best chances of sighting black rhino.


Best chances to see

Good chances to see

Some sightings

No sightings yet

Top 10 camps for black rhino

% of travellers who saw black rhino

Top 10 camps for black rhino

% of travellers who saw black rhino

Best areas to see black rhinos in Botswana

Black rhinos occur in only a handful of protected areas in east and southern Africa. Your best chance of spotting one is at a waterhole or on foot with a tracker.


Botswana: black rhino hot spots

If you are set on seeing a black rhino in Botswana, you should visit the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, near Gaborone in the south. Here, a handful of individuals are easily seen, alongside a small population of white rhinos, in a highly secure community-run protection area. However, this small reserve is far from the country’s northern safari hub of Chobe/Okavango, where most visitors travel. In the Okavango Delta, black rhinos are occasionally encountered in Moremi Game Reserve – particularly in the mopane woodland to the east. However, numbers are very low and a sighting should be considered exceptional. With the ongoing reintroduction programme and improved security, numbers should rise, making sightings more likely in future.

image

Our best Botswana holidays for black rhino sightings

Based on our travellers' reports, these ideas for Botswana safaris are likely to give the best black rhino sightings


Itinerary image

Pygmy Mouse Self-drive Safari

18 days • 10 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

A truly epic southern African self-drive safari adventure from Namibia’s mountains and deserts, along the lush Caprivi Strip to Botswana and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, staying at luxury lodges throughout.

US$8,710 - US$10,410 per person

Itinerary image

Rock Hare Self-drive Safari

20 days • 12 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

An in-depth look at Namibia from the Namib Desert to the Caprivi, with additional stops in Botswana and Victoria Falls. This three-week adventure includes an unrivalled mix of environments and is great value.

US$6,560 - US$8,340 per person

Itinerary image

The Highlights of Africa

17 days • 7 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

An epic adventure taking in some of Africa’s most incredible sights and wildlife experiences, from Cape Town to the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, the Maasai Mara and an encounter with mountain gorillas.

US$16,330 - US$19,730 per person

Itinerary image

Kudu Safari

7 days • 2 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT

A luxury Botswana safari exploring the Okavango Delta staying at Nxebega Camp and the stunning Sandibe Lodge, with excellent guiding and some of the most prolific wildlife viewing anywhere in Africa.

US$8,190 - US$20,120 per person

Itinerary image

Sable Self-drive Safari

12 days • 7 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

A great-value southern African self-drive adventure from Namibia along the Caprivi Strip to Botswana and Zimbabwe, combining other-worldly landscapes, unforgettable wildlife spectacles and rarely visited places, and ending at Victoria Falls.

US$7,690 - US$9,280 per person

Itinerary image

Spring Hare Safari

9 days • 3 locations
KASANE AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT

An authentic and diverse safari to Botswana combining the Chobe Forest Reserve, Savuti Marshes and the Okavango Delta. Strong wildlife viewing, a variety of activities and excellent value camps.

US$8,710 - US$14,180 per person

View all holidays to Botswana

More information about black rhino in our other destinations

Click here for detailed information about black rhino in other countries, including the places for sighting black rhino.


Login to Expert Africa

Login or create an account below.

Forgotten your details?

Enter your email address and we'll send you a link to re-set your password.

Create wish-lists, send enquiries, make and manage your safari bookings, and more...

It's free & quick to set up

Benefits from creating an account.

  • Save your wish-list
  • Send us an enquiry
  • Pay online and manage your trip
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Give us feedback on your trip
  • Enhanced features

Need some help? Talk to our team
Newsletter background

Stay in the know with Expert Africa

Join our newsletter. Get the latest on new camps and lodges, insights from our team, uplifting conservation stories and more...

A few more details and you're subscribed

Thanks!

Almost there! We've sent you an email to confirm your subscription. Just click on the link and you'll soon be receiving our newsletter in your inbox.

In the meantime, take a look at our previous Bush Telegraph newsletters.