The Central Kalahari is Botswana’s largest and wildest reserve. Its relatively flat terrain is covered with semi-desert vegetation and crossed by four fossil valleys: Deception, Passarge, Okwa and Quoxo.

The CKGR is an isolated, almost mystical place. Its immense starry skies are particularly suited to adventurers who are not afraid of solitude and silence, broken only by the cries of lions or jackals.

To the south, Khutse extends the Central Kalahari and offers the same natural and wild atmosphere. However, there are still inhabitants on this ancestral land of the San people. Don’t be surprised to come across a few villages on your way, the closest being Gugamma, 20 km from the Khankhwe campsite.

Size: 52,800 km2

When to visit: During and after the summer rains, thousands of wildebeests, springboks, and oryx gather in the valleys. Winter is also a great time to spot the big cats, especially cheetahs.

Wildlife: All the big cats are present in the reserves. The discreet brown hyena, bat-eared foxes, honey badgers, oryx, ostriches and springboks bring this sometimes very quiet desert to life. The Kalahari is a prime destination for observing bustards, secretary birds and various birds of prey.

Things to do: Self-drive safari, game drives, educational walks with the bushmen