Kalahari Desert Safaris

In complete contrast to the lush Okavango, the semi-arid central Kalahari is a must for those who want to explore the diversity of Botswana. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve covers 52,800km² of wilderness and dominates the centre of Botswana. The mostly flat, gently undulating landscape is covered with bush and grasses, and punctuated with larger trees. Fossilised river valleys and salt pans add variety to the open plains and grass covered dunes. The game you'll see here on a tailor made Kalahari safari holiday is very different to what you'll find in the northern parks. Desert species dominate, particularly springbok, gemsbok and eland, and the density of predators is good, with plenty of lion and cheetah living here.

During the summer months rainfall is minimal and temperatures are high, whilst during the wet season, the ancient dry riverbeds that traverse the central and northern reaches of the Kalahari provide life-saving pools of water. Previously havens for wild animals such as elephant, giraffe and lion, the riverbeds are now mostly grazing spots, although leopard and cheetah can still be found.

The San people, or Bushmen, have lived in the Kalahari for 20,000 years as hunter-gatherers. That means they survive by hunting wild game with bows and arrows and gathering edible plants like berries, melons and nuts as well as insects. To learn about this very different way of life from the people themselves is one of the greatest privileges you’ll have on your luxury Kalahari holiday in Botswana.