CENTRAL KALAHARI GAME RESERVE

Africa’s biggest game reserve waiting to be explored

HIGHLIGHTS

WHY VISIT

An immense space of sheer wilderness with low visitor numbers

Some of the best stargazing anywhere in the world

Desert-adapted brown hyena, cheetah and black-maned Kalahari lions

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FAMOUS FOR

Where would you go to truly get away from it all? How about a game reserve that spans over five million hectares or 13 million acres? Where there is so little light and air pollution you can see the stars as your long-lost ancestors once did every night? The Central Kalahari Game Reserve lies south of Maun and is an immense area with only a handful of lodges and the occasional intrepid self-driving camper. Many dismiss it as ‘just a desert’ but it is so much more than that with abundant life to prove it including cheetah, leopard and African wild cat.

CKGR’s game depends on a series of pans – with intriguing names like Tau (‘lion’), Piper, Sunday and Passarge – that fill up over the summer rains. These keep large numbers of springbok, zebra, wildebeest and oryx alive as well as the mighty black-maned lions, jackals and rare brown hyena that feast on them. Birders are delighted by spotting ‘lifers’ like red-crested korhaan and pale chanting goshawks. Once the home of Bushmen families, many of original San descendants are now guides, patiently imparting their boundless knowledge of this beautiful land. A highlight is a trip to Deception Valley, where you can see just how confusing desert mirages can be. There are private concessions closed to the public within the reserve if you want an even more exclusive and private safari.

MEET OUR CENTRAL KALAHARI EXPERTS

Get to know our passionate CKGR team, experts in designing your ideal Kalahari adventure. They’ve personally explored the Reserve’s vast and varied landscapes, giving them the perfect insight to tailor a journey that matches your interests. Whether it’s discovering the unique flora and fauna, witnessing the spectacular wildlife, or immersing yourself in the vast open landscape, our team is dedicated to ensuring your trip is unforgettable, rich with the true essence of Botswana’s natural beauty

WHEN TO VISIT

DRY season: July to October

CKGR is a semi-desert so gets little rain at the best of times. The mid-year peak or high season means no rain at all and animals do not move far from (often pumped) waterholes, making sightings very easy to find. Mornings and evenings are very cold so pack accordingly. Because the reserve has so few lodges, book in advance to ensure you get your first choice of accommodation.

RAINY season: November to MARCH

Even as a semi-desert, the reserve does get some rain, mostly in the form of dramatic but short-lived thunderstorms. This much-needed moisture turns the bush a surprisingly lush green and carpets of flowers – as well as butterflies and birds – can be seen for miles around. Unlike many other areas, CKGR doesn’t have much thicket or forest, which means animals are slightly easier to see in the long grass although they will be dispersed as they no longer rely on a limited number of water sources where they can be easily ambushed by predators. The reserve is flat so that makes scanning the landscape for telltale shapes a lot easier.

SHOULDER SEASON: APRIL TO JUNE

The heat starts dropping, the grass dies down and the rain dries up. Autumn in CKGR can be very productive as animals’ movements become slightly more predictable; many will begin heading to permanent water sources in preparation for the coming dry winter.

EXPERIENCE THE CENTRAL KALAHARI

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EXPLORE THE CENTRAL KALAHARI

OPTIONS TO EXTEND YOUR CENTRAL KALAHARI ITINERARY

Here are a few of our favourite destinations to add to your Central Kalahari itinerary. These extensions are here for inspiration. Chat to one of our experienced Travel Consultants to build the ultimate itinerary, tailored just for you.

Enhance your Central Kalahari adventure with a visit to the Okavango Delta, where you can explore lush wetlands, embark on thrilling water safaris, and experience the vibrant wildlife of Botswana’s most iconic wilderness

Extend your Central Kalahari adventure with a visit to Linyanti and Savute, where you can explore landscapes adorned with mighty baobabs, encounter large herds of wildlife, and spot rare antelope in Botswana’s premier safari destinations

Extend your Central Kalahari adventure by adding a visit to Chobe, where the iconic river safaris, prolific wildlife, and stunning sunsets along the Chobe River create an unforgettable African experience

WHY BOOK WITH BIGGESTLEAF TRAVEL

  • We are passionate about what we sell

  • The most competitive and flexible rates

  • We offer personalised and customised experiences

  • We have consultants who are fluent in English, Portuguese and German

  • Our consultants specialise in different safari experiences
  • Founded in 2014 with years of experience in the travel industry
  • Our quick response and turnaround times

  • We are the trusted travel agent for clients of some of Africa’s sought-after photographic guides

EXPERIENCE BOTSWANA

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