Botswana - Kalahari
Larger than Denmark or Switzerland,
and bigger than Lesotho and Swaziland combined,
the 52,800 square kilometre Central Kalahari Game
Reserve, which was set up in 1961, is the second
largest game reserve in the world. Situated right
in the centre of Botswana, this reserve is characterised
by vast open plains, saltpans and ancient riverbeds.
Varying from sand dunes with many species of trees
and shrubs in the north, to flat bush veld in
the central area, the reserve is more heavily
wooded in the south, with mophane forests to the
south and east. Rainfall is sparse and sporadic
and can vary from 170 to 700 millimetres per year.
The people commonly known throughout
the world as 'Bushmen', but more properly referred
to as the 'Basarwa' or 'San', have been resident
in and around the area for probably thousands
of years. Originally nomadic hunters and gathers,
the lifestyle of the 'Basarwa' has gradually changed
with the times and they now live in settlements,
some of which are situated within the southern
half of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
Game viewing for animals which
include giraffe, brown hyena, 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. Visitors
are warned that sleeping in the open without a
tent is dangerous and foolhardy and that they
should keep their tents fastened to prevent snakes,
scorpions, etc. from gaining entry. Foodstuffs,
etc. should not be kept in the tent but should
be closed into the vehicle to avoid the unwanted
attentions of lions and hyena's.
Recommended Camps & lodges
THE INFORMATION IN THIS SECTION
IS CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED - PLEASE CONTACT US
ON 01903 816500 FOR ALL YOUR SAFARI NEEDS.
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