Central Kalahari

The remote Central Kalahari is located in central Botswana.  The south is woodier than the north, and the centre is characterised by saltpans, sand dunes and ancient fossilised riverbeds.

Accommodation in Central Kalahari

It is advisable to visit the park with a local safari operator.  It is extremely remote and the camping is basic.  However, lodges have recently been built in the area.  Camping in the open without a tent is dangerous and unadvisable.  Tents should always be fastened to avoid the entrance of snakes and scorpions.  Food should be locked in vehicles and not kept in tents to avoid the attention of lions, hyenas and so forth.

Wildlife in the park

Wildlife is mainly found in the northern half of the reserve.  This wildlife includes giraffe, brown hyena, warthog, cheetah, wild dog, leopard, lion, blue wildebeest, eland, gemsbok, kudu, red hartebeest and springbok.

How to get there

The reserve has three entry points:  In the south, there is an entrance point through Khutse. The western entrance is through Xade and in the northeast through Matswere.  Visitors should fill up with fuel in Ghanzi, enough for their entire stay.  At Xade, visitors are required to check in at the tourist office in the Wildlife camp.

Matswere can be accessed via Rakops.  Petrol and diesel are usually available here.

When is the best time to go

During and after the rain in January to April, grazing is at its best, and the bird life is wonderful.  Thousands of animals flock to the grass plains in the northern part of the Central Kalahari game reserve at this time.  The dry season is from May/ June- August.