Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Larger than Denmark or Switzerland, and bigger than Lesotho and Swaziland combined, the 52,800 square kilometre Central Kalahari Game Reserve, which was set up in 1961, is the second largest game reserve in the world. Situated in the centre of Botswana, the reserve is characterised by vast open plains, saltpans and ancient riverbeds.
Image supplied courtesy of Wilderness Safaris
“Kalahari” is derived from the Tswana word Kgala meaning “great thirst” – and it has vast areas covered by red sand without any permanent water. The Kalahari Desert is the largest sand basin in the world stretching 2,500kms from the northern regions of South Africa through to Namibia/Angola and ending in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The term ‘desert’ is however not quite accurate when referring to the Kalahari, the region receives an annual rainfall of 60mm-175mm, too high to be classified as a true desert.
After the summer rains arrive in the northern section of the reserve, from Deception Valley to Piper Pans, the vast plains burst with sweet grasses and this becomes one of the prime game-viewing areas in Botswana. Not many people seem to be aware of this and visitors are few. The clear blue sky fills with gigantic clouds and the stage is set for an amazing transformation. Into the scene enter thousands of migratory gemsbok, springbok and wildebeest. This gathering of animals is a sight to behold and can be compared with the Serengeti/Masai Mara migrations of Tanzania and Kenya.
Predators abound with plentiful lions – especially the famous Kalahari black-maned lion, cheetah, leopard and jackals. Brown hyenas and wild dogs are also found in the area.
Several species of antelopes make the trip to the sweet grasses of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve which include the eland, springbok, steenbok, gemsbok, hartebeest, kudu and duiker. Honey badgers are regular visitors as well as ground squirrels and meerkats. Many an hour can be wiled away watching these fascinating animals.
In the winter months, the Kalahari is more typically a desert-type system: warm and dry. Game viewing remains productive and moves into the vegetated dunal belt and pan systems surrounding the valleys; a series of ecologically placed waterholes further enhance wildlife viewing.
Bird life is aplenty with the world heaviest flying bird – the Kori bustard being common as well as the black korhaan who continuously calls during the daytime. Ostrich are seen roaming free – usually in large flocks. Raptors from the most common pale-chanting goshawk to the rock kestrel, bateleurs and brown and tawny eagles are also seen regularly. |
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Central Kalahari