Botswana kalahari game reserve

A unique and interesting experience is a guided nature walk by a member of the local San Bushmen tribe. The Bushmen share their vast knowledge of the local flora and fauna including what plants are poisonous and what are used for medicine, how to track animals, and how to find water the traditional way.

Star-gazing is a popular way to end a day here. The Kalahari is famous for its expansive and clear skies with no light pollution making it perfect for discovering a who new constellations of stars. While the Central Kalahari Game Reserve lets visitors conduct their own self-guided tours, it is recommended never to travel alone in the area and to come prepared. Botswana Great Wilderness Journey. Botswana Little Tubu Camp. Botswana Splash Camp.

Botswana Skybeds. Botswana Tubu Tree Camp. Many of the lions are solitary or live in pairs and will often hunt smaller prey such as porcupines. The birdlife in the Central Kalahari is varied.

The largest of these, the ostrich and kori bustard, are doing extremely well and are commonly spotted. Doves are well represented with Cape turtle doves, laughing doves and Namaqua doves all seen in high numbers. All the sub-Saharan species of sandgrouse can also be found in the reserve. During the day, these can be difficult to spot with their excellent camouflage.

However, during the mornings, large numbers can be seen flying to the waterholes. Large flocks of red-billed queleas are also common, often seen as they swarm down from trees to drink or in search of food.

There are also a good number of black-shouldered kites, rock kestrels, bateleurs, black-breasted and brown snake eagles, martial and tawny eagles and lanner falcons are also around. There are three entry points to the reserve; through Khutse in the south, then a western entrance through Xade and also in the northeast through Matswere. Access to Xade, where there are two undeveloped campsites near the Xade Wildlife Camp, is made by turning off east from the Ghanzi-Kang road about 36 kilometres south of Ghanzi indicated by signpost.

Following this loose sandy track for kilometres, taking about three hours for the full journey from Ghanzi leads you to Xade. On arrival at Xade, visitors are required to check in at the tourist office in the Wildlife Camp. Access to Matswere can be made via Rakops, where petrol and diesel are available most of the time, 55 kilometres from the check-in point at Matswere. Matswere can also be accessed from Maun by travelling 57 kilometres east, turning right at the Makalamabedi junction, continuing for 20 kilometres to the village and turning right on the western side of the veterinary fence.

The fence is followed south for some 80 kilometres of sand track to the Kuke corner veterinary gate, after which a further 21 kilometres down the eastern boundary of the reserve takes you to the entrance gate, from which it is only 9 kilometres from Matswere. Matswere is the access point for designated but undeveloped campsites in the region of Deception Valley, Sunday Pan, Leopard Pan and Passarge Valley, while the campsites at Piper Pan can be accessed from either Matswere or Xade.

It is along the latter route that the new Tau campsite has been opened in an area that truly reflects the very spirit of the Central Kalahari. Firewood may be collected from well-wooded areas but not from tree islands. The ashes from campfires must be buried before leaving campsites, combustible rubbish burnt and non-combustibles carried back to the pit at the entrance gate. Game viewing for animals including giraffe, brown hyaena, warthog, wild dog, cheetah, leopard, lion, blue wildebeest, eland, gemsbok, kudu, red hartebeest and springbok is best between December and April, when the animals tend to congregate in the pans and valleys.

Foodstuffs, etc. The track to here can become muddy after rain. Motopi has 3 campsites in the northeast section of the park, convenient if you are entering via Tsau Gate. The dunes in this part of the reserve are larger and more vegetated than elsewhere, though there are not any loops to explore nearby.

The numbering of the campsites is slightly confusing and CK-MOT is the site nearest the main road. The Motopi water is great for wildlife and lions are often seen here. We saw a large mixed herd of giraffe, gemsbok, springbok and kudu all crowding around the waterhole, along with a couple of jackals that spooked the young male kudu.

Toilet but no shower and very remote. There are 3 lovely campsites very spread out in Passarge Valley, which makes up the northern side of the loop. Campsite 3 has the best views of Passarge Valley and is probably the best site, while campsite 3 is nearest to the Passarge Valley Waterhole, 11 km away. Passarge Valley contains large concentrations of grazing animals, such as gemsbok and springbok, which bring the lions and other predators with them.

These sites are all very popular. Waterhole 11 km west. There are 2 campsites near Pipers Pan, both very popular since Pipers Pan has a high concentration of game. These sites are 30 km off the main loop through sand dunes, and on the way if you were heading south, for example to Xade Gate or Khutse Game Reserve.

Site 1 is actually on the edge of the pan and closer to the waterhole, so the better site. They are both fairly large and very far from any other campsite, on the southern section of the loop. We saw huge herds of springbok and a large male lion in the vicinity.

The tracks near these sites are quite compacted so make for quick driving. A large site with shade but no other facilities. These two sites are both remote, on the less busy western edge of the loop. They are both adjacent to long, thin pans that the loop track passes through. A large site with many small shade trees, m off the loop track.

The site is on a rise so you have great views over San Pan. The site is not used often and can sometimes be slightly overgrown. Longdrop and shower. One shade tree in the centre of the site provides mediocre shade, surrounded by low bush. The shower has no shower bucket and the toilet is now non-existent. Unlike Mabuasehube and Khutse Game Reserve, there are two luxury lodges within the park and three just to the north.

Since there are no fences around the CKGR, the game is free to wander outside the park and there is a large buffer area with no villages so you might see just as much wildlife outside the park as within. The luxury lodges in and near the Central Kalahari, while cheaper than those in the Okavango Delta, can still be hundreds of dollars per night per person. These rates are all-inclusive, which means meals and activities such as game drives and bushman walks are included.

If you have your own recovery gear and are confident you can self-recover if stuck, have plenty of spare fuel and water, then you should be fine by yourself. On the main loop, normally at least one other car will find you within a day. Once you head south of Pipers Pan, vehicle numbers drop significantly.

Tracks are sandy and can be very muddy in the rainy season. Take recovery gear. Pin it. Your email address will not be published. Where is the Central Kalahari Game Reserve? Tips The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is truely remote , bring everything you need with you including enough fuel and water. Book your campsites in adance — some sites fill up a year in advance.

Pay park conservation fees in advance or have cash at the gate. Prepare for hot days in summer, and freezing nights in winter. Find out more about the south of the park in Khutse Game Reserve. Crimson-breasted Shrike. There are no facilities or mobile coverage within the park. Itinerary We spent four nights in the park, all at different campsites.

Contact DWNP to pay fees and receive an entrance voucher in advance, or take cash to pay at the gate. Rates are per person per night, all half-price for children under 16 and free for children under 8. DWNP: P30 per person per night. Sandy track between A3 north of Ghanzi to Tsau Gate. How much Fuel do I need for Central Kalahari? Wild dogs in Deception Valley. Pipers Pan Waterhole Pipers Pan Waterhole: We only saw birds here, though the tracks nearby show that a lot of game regularly visits this waterhole in the middle of the pan.

Passarge Pan Waterhole Passarge Pan Waterhole: A nice waterhole just 2 km off the main northern loop track with frequent sightings of diverse game. Sunday Pan The area of the park near Deception Valley is the busiest. Deception Valley. Deception Campsites Baby springbok. Motopi 2 Campsite. Passarge Valley Campsites Passarge Valley. Pipers Pan Campsite 1.

Lekhubu and Letiahau Campsites. How big is the Central Kalahari Game Reserve? When is the best time to visit Central Kalahari Game Reserve? Related Posts.