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Central Kalahari Game Reserve: Botswana's Untamed Heart

Explore Botswana's vast Central Kalahari Game Reserve: a remote wilderness with stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and ancient San culture.

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The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is a vast, protected wilderness in the heart of Botswana, offering a unique safari experience. Established in 1961, it's the second-largest game reserve in the world, characterized by seemingly endless expanses of grasslands, ancient riverbeds, and diverse wildlife, including the San people, who have called this area home for millennia.

A brief summary to Central Kalahari Game Reserve

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Local tips

  • A 4x4 vehicle is essential for navigating the sandy terrain within the reserve.
  • Travel with ample supplies of water, food, and fuel, as services within the reserve are limited.
  • Consider visiting during the wet season (December to March) for optimal wildlife viewing as animals congregate around watering holes.
  • Engage with the local San community for a unique cultural experience and learn about their traditional way of life.
  • Book accommodations and campsites in advance, especially during peak season, as options are limited.
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Getting There

  • Road

    The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is typically accessed by 4x4 vehicle from Maun, Ghanzi, or Gaborone. From Maun, the most common route is south on the A3 road towards Ghanzi, then following signs to the Matswere Gate, approximately 250 km away, a journey of 6-7 hours. Entry fees are approximately BWP 190 per adult per day, BWP 95 for children aged 8-17, and BWP 75 per vehicle per day. Ensure you have sufficient Botswana Pula in cash, as card facilities may not be available at the entrance gates.

  • Air

    The most convenient way to reach the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is by flying into Maun Airport (MUB). From there, you can either rent a 4x4 vehicle or arrange a private charter flight to your accommodation within the reserve. Charter flights to Deception Valley take approximately 45 minutes. The cost of a charter flight varies depending on the operator and destination.

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Discover more about Central Kalahari Game Reserve

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is a sprawling testament to the raw beauty and untamed spirit of Botswana's Kalahari Desert. Established in 1961, the reserve encompasses 52,800 square kilometers (20,400 sq mi), making it the second-largest game reserve on Earth. This immense expanse is larger than the Netherlands and represents almost 10% of Botswana's total land area. Visitors to the CKGR are immediately struck by the sheer scale of the landscape. Golden grasslands stretch to the horizon, punctuated by dwarfed trees and scrub bushes. Wide and empty pans appear as vast white stretches of pancake-flat earth, meeting a soft, blue-white sky. The sense of solitude and remoteness is palpable, offering a true escape from the modern world. The CKGR's landscape is diverse, encompassing sand dunes, fossilized river valleys, salt pans, and sparse vegetation. Deception Valley, in the north, is a highlight, attracting concentrations of herbivores after the rainy season. The reserve's climate features a dry season from May to October and a wet season from November to March, with game viewing best during the wet months when animals gather around the pans. The CKGR is home to a variety of wildlife, including springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, hartebeest, eland, giraffe, cheetah, wild dog, and leopard. The reserve is particularly known for its black-maned lions. Birdwatching is excellent, especially from December to March when migratory species are present. The San people, also known as Bushmen or Basarwa, have inhabited the Kalahari for thousands of years. The CKGR was initially established as a sanctuary for the San, allowing them to maintain their traditional lifeways. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about San culture through guided walks and tours. Accessing the CKGR requires careful planning and a sense of adventure. A 4x4 vehicle is essential, and self-sufficient travel is highly recommended. The nearest major towns are Maun, Ghanzi, and Gaborone, with access to the reserve through Matswere, Xade, Tsau, and Southern Gates.

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