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Home>Botswana>What to see | 
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| Botswana: What to see | |||
| Central Kalahari Game Reserve | |||
>see photographs Best known for Established as a game reserve in 1961, this is one of the world's few reserves that was formed for the protection of people rather than wildlife. Now open to the public, the area was originally set aside as a place where the San (Bushmen) people could continue their traditional way of life. Deception Pan, in the north west of Deception Valley, adds to the fame of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve through the book "Cry of the Kalahari" by Mark and Delia Owens. The appeal of this solitary and remote place is the vast open spaces and silence. The San people claim that at night it is so quiet, "you can hear the stars in song". Size and Location Situated in central Botswana, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve covers an area of 51800 square km (just smaller than Holland and Belgium combined), making it the second largest protected area in the world and Africa's largest. Wildlife Animals found in this reserve include gemsbok with their amazing capacity to survive long periods without water, springbok, hartebeest and caracal, giraffe, cheetah, wildebeest and kudu have also adapted to this harsh environment. The Owens studied the rare brown hyena here, lion and honey badger are often seen around Deception Pan, along with families of ground squirrels and ever-entertaining suricates. The birds of the Kalahari are dry savannah species, the larger of which are the kori bustards, ostrich, secretary birds, korhaan and francolin. People Approximately 900 people inhabit the reserve. 50 percent of these are San, 35 percent Bakgalagadi and the remaining 15 percent of a mixed race between the two. The San villages are mostly in the southern part of the reserve. Environment and Vegetation The central Kalahari has a mostly flat surface except for one rocky outcrop named Tsau Hill, on the north-western border of the reserve. There are not as many sand dunes as one would expect of this area and the northern region is dotted with numerous grassed and saline surfaced pans. Sunday and Piper's Pans are permanent waterholes ensuring good game viewing throughout the year. This part of the Kalahari is not barren desert and is, in fact, well vegetated. Tall grasses, open woodland, jesse bush and mature forests are all found here. Climate Big blue open skies are almost guaranteed. In winter the days are hot and the nights can be bitterly cold. Temperatures have been known to drop as low as -12 degrees Celsius, while daytime temperatures may hover in the high 30's. In summer the days are baking and the cooler nights a welcome relief. When to go Game viewing is best from March to June and the cooler temperatures at that time make this the best time to go. Activities Game viewing in 4x4 vehicles, guided walks, studying the history and geology of the Kalahari, and an informed glimpse into the San people's way of life. Accommodation Deception Valley Lodge is situated just outside the reserve's northern boundary. There are no lodges in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, however camping is permitted at Deception Valley, Sunday Pans and Piper's Pan. How to get there By road: the best approach by road can be made from Rakops, 170 km west of Orapa, and then it's a matter of following the signs for several hours first to Matswere Game Scout Camp, then 70 km to Deception Pan (total around 150 km). From Maun take the Maun-Nata main road, turn 52 km south of Maun at Makalamabedi, then 5 km to Matswere Game Scout Camp and 70 km to Deception Pan. 4WD high clearance vehicles are necessary and own fuel and other supplies. By air: Private air charters fly into Deception Valley from Maun and other private lodge locations. Deception Valley Lodge organise ground pickups for residents. Precautions If self-driving, the Kalahari must be taken very seriously in terms of being equipped with water, fuel and all other supplies and equipment. It is a remote area and you may not see other traffic for some time. The sandy roads can also be challenging even to competent drivers. Experienced travellers generally travel in a party of two vehicles. |
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