Walking through the shady paths of the CARACAL Biodiversity Center offers a fascinating, hands-on rescue experience right in the heart of Kasane. This non-profit center is dedicated to wildlife rescue, environmental education, and researching animal-borne diseases. Visitors can see a variety of rescued birds of prey, orphaned mammals, and native reptiles that are being rehabilitated or kept as educational ambassadors.
The highlight for many is the interactive reptile area, where passionate local guides show you diverse snake species and allow brave visitors to hold rescued chameleons and non-venomous sand snakes.
One fun fact people love:
CARACAL stands for Center for Conservation of African Resources: Animals, Communities, and Land, and it is run in close partnership with the Botswana government to solve human-wildlife conflict.
Where in Kasane is it?
Located on the main road in the Kazungula area of Kasane, just a short drive from the central shopping complexes.
How to reach:
Easily reached by booking a short local taxi ride, self-driving, or walking from nearby lodges in the Kazungula district.
Best time to visit:
May to September when the cooler winter weather makes walking around the outdoor enclosures very comfortable.
Best time of day:
Morning around 9:30 AM when the rescued birds of prey are being fed and the reptiles are active in the morning sun.
Entry fee:
Entry costs approximately BWP 100 per person, with all proceeds directly funding wildlife rescue operations and local community education.
Commute difficulty:
Very easy; located on flat, paved city roads with clear signposts indicating the entrance.
Things nobody tells you about this place:
- They have a wonderful elevated viewing platform that offers great views of the surrounding bush where wild elephants often walk.
- The center is staffed by highly educated local biologists who can answer complex questions about Botswana's diverse ecosystems.
- Wear closed-toe shoes as you will be walking along sandy, unpaved paths inside the natural bush setting of the center.
