Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
reprimand from the UN's Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Botswanan government
maintains that its relocation policies have the San's best interests at heart. Development, education and modern-
isation are its buzzwords. The trouble is, many San actively rejected the government's version of modernisation if
it meant giving up their ancestral lands and traditions.
After South Africa's highest court found in favour of the Richtersveld people (relatives of the San) of Northern
Cape Province in 2003 - for the first time, the court recognised that indigenous people have both communal land
ownership and mineral rights over their territory - the San of Botswana launched a similar appeal. The court case
brought by the First People of the Kalahari (FPK) against the government's relocation policies was concluded in
May 2006, and approximately 1000 San attached their names to the effort. During the proceedings many San tried
to return home to the CKGR, but most were forced off the grounds of the reserve. In December 2006 the High
Court ruled that the eviction of the San was 'unlawful and unconstitutional'. One justice went so far as to say that
not allowing the San to hunt in their homeland 'was tantamount to condemning the residents of the CKGR to
death by starvation'.
A few San have been allowed back into the reserve, although the government continues to drag its heels in fully
implementing the court ruling.
Kalahari Plains Camp $$$
Offline map
( in South Africa 011-807 1800;
www.wilderness-safaris.com
;
s/d mid-Jun-Oct
US$756/1116, Nov-mid-Jun US$889/1382; )
Run by the reliably luxurious Wilder-
ness Safaris, these six posh, solar-powered tents are maintained in impeccable style in a
gorgeous location near Deception Pass in the park's northeast. Black-maned Kalahari
lions are common in the area, and the exclusive service plus total isolation makes for seri-
ous out-of-body travel joy.
TENTED CAMP
Getting There & Away
Airstrips (for chartered flights only) are located near Xade, Xaka and Deception Pan.
A 4WD is essential to get around the reserve, and a compass (or GPS equipment) and
petrol reserves are also recommended. Several 4WD tracks lead into the CKGR, but not
all are official entrances. Accessible gates:
Matswere Gate
(GPS: S 21°09.047', E 24°00.445') The main gate, it's signposted off the
tarmac B300 just northwest of Rakops.
Tsau Gate
(GPS: S 21°00.081', E 24°47.845') In the reserve's far northwest and the most
accessible gate from Maun.
