The Wild Kalahari
Departure Dates
$1850 per person sharing in double
full brochure in pdf
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, one of the largest protected areas on the planet, and its evocatively named Deception Valley, produces typical Kalahari Desert scenes of shimmering mirages, springbok herds, stately gemsbok and regal black-maned lion.
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, one of the largest protected areas in Africa, is seemingly lifeless, yet provides sightings of thriving herds of springbok and gemsbok and the iconic black-maned lion. Thanks to its habitat diversity, healthy game populations move through the area and are present to a greater or lesser degree all year long. In the summer months the desert comes to life with huge convergences of plains game such as springbok, gemsbok and wildebeest coming to feed, followed by predators such as lion and cheetah.
Exploring the Kalahari unlocks the fascinating wildlife treasures found in this wonderful area with excellent cheetah viewing a regular feature. San Bushman experiences provide insights into the unique culture of this fascinating people. A three-night stay here provides a perfect contrast to the Okavango and Linyanti regions and rounds off the diversity of northern Botswana.
BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 1: Depart by road from Maun to Deception Valley Lodge.
Days 2 & 3: Game transfer to Kalahari Plains Camp, Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
Day 4: Return by road to Maun.
Please note: This short exciting Kalahari Exploration is also recommended as a contrasting add-on to Migration Routes or a lodge-based itinerary through the Okavango and Linyanti.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Deception Valley Lodge
Upon arrival in Maun and once all guests are assembled, we depart overland to Deception Valley lodge.
Deception Valley Lodge is located approximately 40 kilometres from Deception Pan in the Kalahari Desert. The Lodge accommodates 10 guests in private units, each with a lounge, Victorian-style bathroom with outside shower and a deck with a view of the vast Kalahari bush.
This is a cultural destination where direct interaction, through an interpreter, is undertaken with San Bushmen who will explain firsthand their traditions, hunting tools, natural medicines and history. Other activities include game drives and game walks with experienced guides. The wildlife to be experienced in the area includes gemsbok, kudu and springbok, as well as cheetah, leopard, and hyaena. Bird life is prolific, with over 400 species in the region. The main complex boasts a dining room, lounge and bar area making use of San and other African artefacts. Wildlife coming to drink at the nearby waterhole can be watched in comfort from the deck. There is a curio shop and a small library, a swimming pool and a boma for evening meals.
Days 2 & 3: Kalahari Plains Camp
After an early breakfast at the lodge, we will have the unique opportunity to experience the 'authentic' Kalahari Bushman way of life. After this fantastic experience, we will depart by road on a game transfer to Kalahari Plains Camp where we will spend the next two days exploring the fossilised river bed and observing the unique fauna and flora that this starkly beautiful region has to offer.
Kalahari Plains Tented Camp is situated in a remote part of the diverse and productive Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) and offers some of the best summer wildlife viewing opportunities in Africa. Located in the Kalahari Desert biome in the central part of Botswana, this reserve is the largest conservation area in this country and at 5 million hectares (12 million acres), one of the largest in the world.
The camp is beautifully situated on top of a dune just 5.6 km from Deception Valley itself and comprises six Meru-style en-suite tents with a relaxing lounge, dining and bar area. The tents and main area are all raised a meter off the ground to catch the breeze and take in the sweeping spacious view across the Kalahari. Solar power provides electricity and hot water, and the innovative insulated canvas walls and roof keep the temperatures inside comfortable.
Thanks to the diversity of habitats, healthy game populations move through the area and are present to a greater or lesser degree all year long. But it is the summer months (end-November to April) with the advent of their rains that the desert truly comes to life. Short grasses sprout in the pan systems and fossil riverbeds and plains game such as springbok, gemsbok and wildebeest converge in their hundreds and thousands here to feed. This of course attracts predators such as lion and cheetah; in fact the abundance of game at this time of the year also leads to thrilling lion and cheetah hunts to be seen.
Guided game drives unlock the fascinating wildlife treasures found in this wonderful area with excellent cheetah viewing a regular feature.
Day 4: Road transfer to Maun
After an early breakfast, we travel by road back to Maun, arriving in time to bid farewell and board your departing flight.
This Exploration has the following unique features:
A short Exploration that provides an exceptional and unique Kalahari Desert experience as well as glimpse into the culture of the San people.Habitat is entirely different and desert-adapted species not present in other areas (such as springbok, gemsbok and red hartebeest) may be easily seen in the central Kalahari.