Central Kalahari Game Reserve Review: Safari Packages and Map
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve Review (CKGR): Nestled in the heart of Botswana’s Kalahari Desert, is a vast expanse of wilderness. As the second-largest game reserve in the world, covering an area of 52,800 square kilometers, it has long been the habitat of the San Bushmen, a nomadic tribe, and boasts the highest density of cheetahs in southern Africa.
Characterized by its flat, rolling bushland, the CKGR is a remote region with vast grasslands dotted with dunes, ancient river valleys, and salt pans. Previously closed for approximately three decades, it has reopened, allowing the establishment of camps and lodges, that provide a unique and exclusive safari experience.
A prominent feature of the reserve is Deception Valley in the northern sector, created by four ancient riverbeds. The valley’s lush grasses draw numerous herbivores, which in turn attract predators. The wildlife diversity includes species not commonly seen in the Delta, such as herds of gemsbok and springbok. Visitors can also encounter the majestic black-maned Kalahari lion, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, cape foxes, honey badgers, the elusive nocturnal brown hyena, and a rich variety of over 220 bird species.
In the dry season, the landscape transforms, revealing expansive, barren pans that present unique photographic vistas. The reserve is renowned for its breathtaking stargazing opportunities and features several notable landmarks, including Deception Valley, Sunday and Leopard Pans, Passage Valley, and Piper’s Pan, each offering a distinct glimpse into the heart of the Kalahari.
