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The Centre and South
CENTRAL KALAHARI GAME RESERVE: This remote and virtually unexplored reserve was set up as a refuge both for animals and the country’s few remaining San (Bushmen) people. The terrain is very varied, with open plains, salt pans, sand dunes and mopane scrub in the north (which also has the best game-viewing), bushveld in the centre and woodland in the south. There are five designated but undeveloped campgrounds. Self-drivers with four-wheel-drive vehicles can go year-round with a permit. The Deception Valley area is used by several upmarket mobile safari operators.
KHUTSE GAME RESERVE: This 2500 sq km (965 square mile) expanse of dry savannah land in the centre of the Kalahari incorporates a series of shallow pans, which, when filled with water, attract hundreds of bird species as well as an abundance of springbok and ostrich, giraffe, gemsbok, lion, leopard and the rare brown hyena, amongst others. It joins the southern boundary of the Central Kalahari National Park, about 240km (150 miles) northwest of Gaborone. Camping facilities are basic, and water, food and fuel should be brought. Many of the campsites are on the edge of the pan, which enables one to game-watch from the comfort of a camp chair. There are still a few small bands of Basarwa (San) living in this region, one of the last Stone Age races on earth, some of whom guide visitors around the reserve and teach them about edible and moisture-bearing plants and how many of the animals survive despite the lack of water.
KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER NATIONAL PARK: This remote park straddles the border with South Africa in the southwest of the country, the first of a number of ‘peace parks’ planned to cross national boundaries and re-open ancient animal migration routes. The park has deep fossil river beds and high sand dunes, and the area is also known for its salt pans which reflect amazing colour changes during the day. Many herds of gemsbok and springbok (as well as other species of antelope), cheetah and famous black-maned Kalahari lion can be seen here and brown hyenas and jackals occur in abundance. The best time to visit is from March to May. It can be reached by a paved road from Gaborone to Tsabong, after which a four-wheel-drive vehicle is necessary. The main entrance, easiest access point and accommodation are all on the South African side of the border in what was the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. At present there is no accommodation on the Botswanan side and you will need to take a tent and all supplies, including water and fuel.
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