Central Kalahari Game Reserve

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the largest, most remotely situated reserve in Southern Africa, and the second largest wildlife reserve in the world at an immense 52 800 sq kms. Nothing prepares you for the immensity of this reserve, nor its wild, mysterious beauty. There is an immediate impression of unending space, and having the entire reserve to yourself.

The landscape of the Central Kalahari is mostly flat, interrupted in some areas by endless valleys carved by ancient rivers that once carried waters from rivers further north. It is mostly dry, and only the most adept animals leave here, each animal and plant evolving its own technique to survive. During the dry season the landscape becomes very drab but in the areas where there are artificial water holes such as Sunday Pan, Passarge Pan, Letiahau and Pipers Pan the wildlife is very exciting.

During and shortly after good summer rains, the flat grasslands of the reserve’s northern reaches teem with wildlife, which gather at best grazing areas. These include large herds of Springbok, and Gemsbok, as well as Wildebeest, Hartebeest, Eland and Giraffe.

Best Time to Visit

December to May: The best time to visit Central Kalahari Game Reserve is during the summer rainy months of December to May when everything is green and an abundance of springbok and Gemsbok are attracted north of the game reserve, into the green fossil valleys. It is at this time that Cheetahs let their young learn how to hunt on abundant baby springboks just a few weeks old. The rainstorms in the summer are frequent but not long lived and the clouds that accompany them are magnificent.

Wildlife

Central Kalahari Game Reserve is good for dry country wildlife. Springbok and Gemsbok are abundant in the valleys after the rains. The predators here are the Kalahari Lions, Cheetah, Leopard, Wild dogs and Brown Hyena. We see a lot Honey Badgers, Black Backed Jackal as well as Meerkats.

Our Safaris in Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Discover Botswana: 3 Nights Deception Valley.