Home of the black-maned lions
Classifying this area as a desert is a hard idea to take in for the average traveller, you will not find the classic wind swept sand dunes anywhere here, nor will you see any camels padding their way into the distance. The area is generally a flat sand base covered in grassland and bushveld scrub interspersed with salt pans and fossilised river beds.
At over 50,000 km², this vast delicate environment borders up to the Ghanzi area in the west but is dominated by the massive Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) stretching out to the east. Further out beyond the National Park borders of the CKGR you will find Khama Rhino Sanctuary, one of the few places that you will find the elusive rhino in Botswana.
The San Bushmen, having been in the Kalahari region for many thousands of years, leading a nomadic existence, applying the art of the hunter-gatherer with exceptional skill, have moved to the outskirts of the region as the CKGR gained prominence as a protected area and National Park. They do however form part of the attraction here and visitors to the region can be guided by bushmen and shown examples of their survival skills. The Kalahari can sometimes feel empty compared to regions such as the Okavango Delta, but these amazing people can stand you on one spot and show you the diversity right around you that you never noticed.
The Central Kalahari area is awe inspiring for its vista alone. Whereas in some areas the best time to visit is in the dry seasons of winter, from May to October Kalahari temperatures soar and the ground offers little water for the game, the area however comes alive in the rainy season. Between roughly November and April the rains arrive and provide the region with a spectacular carpet of beautiful flowers and nutritious grasses. Magnificent cloud formations give rise to dramatic Kalahari thunder storms, giving the photographer amongst you a scenic shot that rivals anywhere in the world.
8 nights traversing through the lodges of Botswana and ending with the Kalahari
Fever Berry Tour
4 nights in the central arid areas and 2 nights in the Okavango
Sausage Tree TourWe have quite a few tours on offer which showcase Botswana… you can view all of them by clicking the button below…
Central Kalahari accommodation remains remarkably sparse given the reserve’s massive size, with only a handful of permanent lodges scattered across this vast wilderness. Properties here embrace genuine isolation, sitting hours from any other human presence and emphasizing authentic Kalahari experiences over luxury amenities.
Most lodges operate year-round but shine during the green season when wildlife concentrations attract serious photographers and predator enthusiasts. Expect comfortable rather than opulent setups, with canvas and thatch structures, solar power, and limited connectivity reflecting the remote location.
The accommodation style differs markedly from Okavango Delta properties, focusing on desert landscapes, open plains, and the unique adaptations of Kalahari wildlife. Game drives dominate activities, often extending into night drives for nocturnal species and predator hunts.
Access typically requires small aircraft transfers to private airstrips, though some camps accommodate self-drive visitors with their own vehicles. Guest numbers stay deliberately low, with most properties hosting under twenty visitors maximum to maintain the wilderness atmosphere.
Situated within the Chobe National Park river area
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