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.
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 5 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
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.
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
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$8,700 - US$10,400 per person
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$8,330 per person
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$16,280 - US$19,680 per person
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
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$7,680 - US$9,270 per person
Reedbuck Safari
8 days • 3 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT
Focussing on the Okavango Delta and combining the crème de la crème of Botswana’s camps – Zarafa, Vumbura Plains and Mombo – this is one of the finest safari experiences in Africa.
US$19,610 - US$36,280 per person
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.
