Central Kalahari Game Reserve

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the ultimate in 'remote' safari destinations. It covers over 50,000km², most of which is inaccessible. It was, until very recently, closed to the public, although there have always been small groups of Bushmen living in the reserve. Even now, this region is seen by only a handful of visitors every year.

The best-known account of the area was the haunting book, Cry of the Kalahari, written by American biologists Mark and Delia Owens about their research in Deception Valley.

Safaris to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve

There are two relatively new private camps inside the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. These are the only two permanent accommodation options inside the park:

Kalahari Plains Camp

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and

Tau Pan Camp

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Alternatively, the best way to visit this area is with your own mobile safari; see private guided safaris to Botswana on our Wild about Africa website for more ideas of private guided mobile safaris.

If you're interested in comfortable or luxury camping safaris, travelling in a small group of like-minded adventurers, to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana, then see Wild about Africa's suggestions for Safaris to Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

It's also possible to organise short 2-3 day trips into the Central Kalahari as part of a tailor-made holiday from:

Meno a Kwena Tented Camp

The Meno a Kwena Tented Camp is actually near to the Kalahari's Salt Pans; it is a great old-style safari camp. (Read more about Meno a Kwena Tented Camp ... )

Just outside the northern boundary of the Central Kalahari Reserve, lies a small lodge which is easily reached on a fly-in safari:

Deception Valley Lodge

The Deception Valley Lodge is a beautifully constructed retreat with eight stylish, thatched bungalows. It is an excellent lodge to visit at any time of year. (Read more about Deception Valley Lodge ... )

Safaris elsewhere in the Kalahari Desert

There are several lodges dotted around Botswana's Kalahari Desert, far from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve itself, including:

Edo's Camp

Edo's is situated on a 1,200km² game conservancy in the northwest Kalahari. The camp's main attraction is its permanent floodlit waterhole. (Read more about Edo's Camp ... )

When to visit the Kalahari

The Central Kalahari is probably at its most enticing when travel there is most difficult: in the first few months of the year. At this time, the beautiful inter-dune valleys become lush with vegetation, attracting thousands of springbok and gemsbok. You'll also find good numbers of ostrich and giraffe, herds of wildebeest, excellent cheetah and the Kalahari's famous black-maned lions. Leopard and brown hyena are common residents too, though very rarely seen.