Kalahari Safaris

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the remotest in Southern Africa. It is a pristine, off-the-beaten-track wilderness area. A truly wild place. 

This game reserve in the heart of the Kalahari Desert is a great place to escape the crowds and bustle of modern life. The ideal destination to get out and experience the deep silence and solitude of open desert spaces. Perfect for stopping to marvel at the sheer scale of Africa's immense empty landscapes.

Watch serene sunsets over the wide horizons while you sip on sundowners. Then, let the starry desert skies dazzle you with their silent beauty at night. Explore the rugged desert on 4x4 game drives and see strange and rare animals and birds.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve Safaris

You can go to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana on a self-drive safari or an organized tour.

To explore the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) you will need a 4x4 safari vehicle. If you're visiting on your own steam then you will need to take everything that you need with you, from camping equipment to food and water. It's much easier to opt for a guided safari with a trusted tour company. Taking an organized safari is often more rewarding as the experienced guides know the lay of the land and are skilled in spotting wildlife and birds.

Safari Activities in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve of Botswana

• Game viewing drives in open 4X4 safari vehicles
• Night drives in search of the more elusive nocturnal creatures of the Kalahari
• Cultural interactions with the local San (Bushmen) people
• Nature walks in the bush, with experienced San guides
• Bird watching, especially in the birding haven of Deception Valley

Kalahari San Cultural Tours in Botswana

Interacting with the San (Bushmen) is one of the highlights of safaris to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

The guided bush walks with the Bushmen are an incredible way to explore the desert and learn how this tribe has survived here for so long. These safaris offer insight into the traditional culture of the San, as well as the plants and animals of the Kalahari. The locals show visitors their hunting skills and share their extensive knowledge of life in the unforgiving Kalahari. Cultural encounters often include hearing the San's tales of bravery and adventure, as well as listening to their clicking language and watching them dance.

Wildlife Safaris in the Central Kalahari Reserve

This dry game reserve is home to a surprising array of wild animals and birds, including unusual and endangered species. Game viewing in the heart of the Kalahari can be highly rewarding, especially during and after the summer rains.

Game drives are conducted in 4x4 safari vehicles during the early morning and late afternoon hours when animals are more active and the heat of the desert is less intense.

One of the most prized wildlife sightings is the famous Kalahari lion, a black-maned predator that is larger than its savannah counterpart.

Safari Accommodation in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve

The CKGR reserve and surrounds are scattered with some 36 campsites and a handful of game lodges with plenty of space in between. The campsites generally offer basic facilities, such as a pit latrine, bucket showers, and a braai (barbecue) area. The luxury safari lodges, on the other hand, offer a host of facilities and are often reached by small private aeroplanes.

Staying over in the Kalahari gives you the chance to marvel at the starry skies and soak up the solitude, silence, and sheer scale of this special place. 

The most unforgettable part of exploring this game reserve is being surrounded by the vast open landscapes of the Kalahari Desert - a wild and solitary land. The endless dry plains, star-studded night skies, and deep silence will stay with you forever.