The perfect safari holiday in the Kalahari

Desert, salt pans, and sweeping grass plains form one of our planet's spectacular wilderness areas at Makgadikgadi and the Central Kalahari.

Vast, remote and strikingly different from the lush Okavango Delta, the Central Kalahari offers a unique safari experience. Covering over 52,000km², this semi-arid wilderness dominates the heart of Botswana. Fossilised riverbeds, golden grasslands and acacia-dotted dunes stretch to the horizon, creating a dramatic backdrop for desert-adapted wildlife. Tailor-made safaris here reveal a very different cast of characters: gemsbok, springbok and eland roam the plains, while lion and cheetah are well-established across the region.

During the dry months, the Kalahari’s ancient valleys become lifelines, drawing wildlife to the sparse remaining waterholes. The summer rains bring a transformation, reviving grasses and attracting migrating game, along with predators in tow. This seasonal shift adds a dynamic element to any visit.

The region is also home to the San people, whose rich knowledge of the land has been passed down over thousands of years. Spending time with San guides - learning how they track game, find water, and understand the rhythms of the bush - is a rare and humbling privilege on any Kalahari journey.