Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CENTRAL KALAHARI GAME RESERVE (CKGR)
AT A GLANCE
Why Go?
The solitude of Southern Africa's largest desert, fine wildlife watching without the crowds and a sense of inhabit-
ing one of the last great wilderness regions in Africa.
Gateway Towns
Ghanzi, Rakops and (at a stretch) Maun.
Wildlife
In the heart of the park, gemsboks, springboks and bat-eared foxes are common, as are lions, leopards, cheetahs,
jackals and brown hyenas; wild dogs are also possible. Remember, however, that the desert environment ensures
that wildlife densities are far smaller than in places like Chobe or Moremi but so too are the densities of safari
vehicles - you need patience to see the wildlife here and the reward is that you might just have the wildlife all to
yourself.
Birds
Birds are numerous around the ancient river valleys with sightings of larger species such as ostrich and kori bus-
tard. The vivid crimson-breasted shrike is a common visitor to campsites.
When to Go
The park is most easily accessible during the dry season (May to September) when tracks are sandy but easily ne-
gotiated by 4WD vehicles. During the rainy season, tracks can be muddy and nearly impassable for inexperienced
drivers; watch also for grass seeds clogging engines and searing temperatures in October.
Moving Around
Unless you're staying at an upmarket lodge in which game drives are included, or have organised your visit on a
mobile safari from Maun, you'll need your own fully equipped 4WD to get around.
Budget Safaris
Maun is the best place to join a mobile safari into the CKGR, although in most cases you'll waste precious time if
you arrive in town without a reservation.
Author Tips
Passarge Valley is far quieter than Deception Valley - we spent an entire afternoon driving along its length one
July and saw not one other vehicle. Ask for the free photocopied map at the park's entrance gates. And finally,
waterholes in some areas in the northern part of the reserve - Letiahau, Pipers, Sunday, Passarge and Motopi - are
artificially pumped to provide water for animals and are good places to watch and wait.
Motopi Camp Site $
Offline map
( 395 3360;
wwwbigfoottours.co.bw
; campsite per adult/child P200/100)
In the north-
western corner of the reserve, these three campsites are wonderfully isolated from the rest
CAMPGROUND
