Mombo's isolation and variety of suitable vegetation makes the area ideal for delicate reintroduction projects and collaborative conservation efforts between Wilderness Safaris, Botswana's Department of Wildlife (DWNP) and the Botswana Government have realised a dream with the successful reintroduction of the white and black rhino here.
This is one of the projects of which Wilderness Safaris is most proud. When we first ventured into Botswana in 1977, rhino numbers had plummeted, mirroring the decline of populations of both species of rhino throughout Africa. Global demand for rhino horn, loss of habitat and inadequate protection by government had resulted in both black and white rhino becoming extinct in many areas. Botswana was no exception, as the wildlife protection afforded within the parks up until the late 1980s was very poor. This has now changed and over the past 10 years, the Botswana Defence Force and the Department of Wildlife have combined to create Africa's finest anti-poaching operation, laying the groundwork for the reintroduction of rhinos into the country.
Mombo and Little Mombo camps are integrally involved in the Botswana Rhino Reintroduction Project. In 2001, Wilderness Safaris together with Botswana's Department of Wildlife initiated a programme that has resulted in more than 31 white rhino running free and wild in the Okavango Delta. The first group of four white rhino arrived at Mombo in November 2001, Wilderness also financing the construction of bomas, much of the transport and much of the monitoring costs. A further 22 rhino arrived as a result of an innovative 'rhino-for-roan' swap between South Africa and Botswana.
Black Rhino:
In 1992, black rhino were classified as 'locally extinct' in Botswana. That classification became incorrect as of October 2003, when the Project released the first four black rhino into the Okavango Delta. Since then, other negotiations include the 'sable-for-black-rhino' deal between the South African and Botswana governments, as well as initiatives with the Africa Conservation Science Centre, the International Rhino Foundation and with our guests.
This is also a project of the Wilderness Safaris Wildlife Trust; for more details and latest information please see the Wilderness Safaris Wildlife Trust website page: Botswana Rhino Relocation and Reintroduction Project
Projects in Botswana
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