Covering around 80% of Botswana and extending into both Namibia and South Africa, the Kalahari Desert is a vast expanse of untouched African beauty. Founded to conserve the endangered human culture of the indigenous San people of the area, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is incredibly important to Botswana’s national identity. This desert environment is the San’s natural habitat and your visit and interaction with these unique people will be something very special. They have been nomadic residents in and around this area for thousands of years and now live in settlements within the Reserve. Vast open plains, saltpans and ancient riverbeds characterize the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Located in the Kalahari Desert in the central part of Botswana, this reserve is the largest conservation area in Botswana and at 5 million hectares, the second largest in the world.

Seemingly untouched by the modern world, the Central Kalahari offers fantastic seasonal game viewing and the opportunity to witness firsthand its rich diversity of animal inhabitants who have miraculously adapted to the trying conditions. The best time to visit is during the rainy summer season when the concentration of wildlife has increased dramatically. The winter season offers the chance to interact with the San people and experience the still tranquillity of the desert.

For the game enthusiasts, expect to see wildebeest, steenbok, red hartebeest and gemsbok grazing on the vegetated dune belt while the famous black-maned lions (native to the region), leopard, brown hyena and one of the highest concentration of cheetah in Southern Africa keep tabs. The Kalahari Plains Camp is situated perfectly, overlooking an immense pan that animals frequent – all while providing luxurious accommodation in the desert setting. The beautiful skies and endless horizons of the Central Kalahari are yours to explore!

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