THE CENTRAL KALAHARI
The Kalahari Desert stretches across seven countries and covers the entire central and south western regions of Botswana. However, its name is misleading because the average rainfall exceeds that of a true desert. Instead it is a vast, arid, predominantly featureless area of sandy sediments. Its plains are covered by scrub, grasses and patches of woodland. There is no surface water in the Kalahari and only occasional rivers.It incorporates the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Africa's largest protected area, where a surprisingly large number of animals thrive. Remarkably, they have adapted to their surroundings and the harsh conditions in which they live.The southern part of the Central Kalahari is home to the San Bushmen. The Bushmen are one of the most studied groups of people in the history of anthropology and for many thousands of years they pursued a traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle.

SEASONS - BEST TIME TO VISIT
The Kalahari has no seasons. Instead there are three distinct phases: the rains, which may commence anytime from November to January, and last through to March, April, making the Kalahari a birder's paradise. A cold dry spell follows from June to August. And the hot dry spell lasts from September until the rains starts.

KALAHARI CAMPS
Kalahari Plains Camp
Leroo La Tau
Nxai Pan
Meno A Kwena
Tau Pan Camp
KALAHARI MAP
HIGHLIGHTS AND FACTS
  • The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is one of the largest reserves in the world, taking in almost 55 000 square kilometers
  • Central Kalahari is a place of unique wildlife and flora that has adapted to a semi arid existence and a safari here is one of the wildest and remotest experiences in Africa.
  • There is a network of roads linking the various areas in the game reserve to provide an overall picture of the landscape of the park and for game viewing.
  • Bushmen trackers  go out on nature walks to interpret the environment for guests and in the private areas there is the opportunity for cultural interaction in the villages.
  • Despite the aridity of the area the Kalahari is one of the best birding areas in Botswana, especially so in the wet season when all the migrants are around.
  • Night drives are done on some of the private areas outside the game reserve boundaries, providing a unique look at the nocturnal creatures of the Kalahari.
  • With its clear, unpolluted sky the Kalahari is one of the best places in Africa for stargazing and each lodge will have a guide with knowledge of the skies.
PHOTO GALLERY (Courtesy of Wilderness Safaris)