This 7 day mobile tented safari trip will take you to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR).
The Central Kalahari game Reserve is the largest, most remotely situated reserve in Southern Africa, and the second-largest wildlife reserve in the world, encompassing 52 800 sq km or just shy of a tenth of Botswana’s total land area.
The Makgadikgadi Salt Pan is one of the largest on earth and forms part of the larger Makgadikgadi Nxai Pan National Park. There are very few desolate destinations that make it onto the radar of international adventurers. This is why the popularity of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park can be a bit of a mystery to travellers who haven’t encountered the region in person. And therein lies its true allure – a seemingly uninspiring landscape that bursts into awe-inspiring life at the slightest provocation.
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is one of the last truly remote Kalahari destinations – an inspiring space where you are less likely to encounter other travelling groups as you make your way through rugged, yet stunningly diverse, terrain. Although the Kalahari sand basin is technically a desert, the reserve boasts a wide variety of habitats from flat bushveld to mopane forests, wide grasslands, acacia forests, ancient river beds, saltpan flats and more.
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve was originally established in 1961 as a place of sanctuary for the San Bushmen people, where they could live their traditional, hunter gatherer way of life.
It has since also been declared a game reserve and was only made accessible to the public fairly recently. As such, the Kalahari is ideal for adventurers with a love of the road less travelled. During and shortly after good summer rains, the flat grasslands teem with wildlife. These include large herds of springbok and gemsbok, as well as wildebeest, hartebeest, eland and giraffe.
The Makgadikgadi salt pans are the remains of an African super lake, the enormous Lake Makgadikgadi, which now encompasses an area of 3 900 sq. km making it one of the largest salt flats on earth.
This place is the epitome of epic. Nothing can quite prepare you for the vastness of the lunar-like landscape. The climate is primarily hot and dry but with regular annual rains. As such, the pans are a flaky, salty expanse for a larger part of the year, which then transforms into a sea of fresh, young grass as rains flood the plains during the summer months. This is when the true spectacle begins.
The most popular time to visit the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is between April and October. This is when the rainy season has ended and there is still plenty of grass, which draws herbivores and in turn draws the predators we sought after. The roads can still be a little muddy earlier in the season, and we are bound to get stuck maybe once or twice.
Wildlife may be less concentrated during the wet summers from November to March, but due to the untouched nature of the reserve, you are still bound to encounter predators ranging from black-maned lions and cheetahs to aardwolves and bat-eared foxes.
Our vehicles are fully equipped and safety certified, carrying all recovery, fire and first aid supplies, with open sides for enhanced game viewing.
All tents are fitted with mosquito screens and rain covers and have comfortable camp cots and mattresses. All bedding is provided. Camp setup is done by the camp hands.
We carry gas cooking equipment which supplements the camp fire cooking. All cooking and cleaning is done by the crew.
Unless you book a lodge to lodge safari, all accommodation whilst on safari is in ground tents.
You will be collected and dropped off at your chosen points, either the airport or at your hotel / accommodation, in our safari vehicle.
The adventure starts immediately !
Most meals are served around the campfire or as a packed meal if we are in transit. Typically meat, vegetables, bread and salads are served in the evenings.
Please inform us of any dietary requirements or food allergies at the time of booking to enable us to adequately prepare.
We are not unfortunately able to cater for Halaal or Kosher meals.
Due to ever changing circumstances relating to disease, we suggest you seek advice prior to your tour as to what vaccinations are required.
Please bring all mediactions of a personal nature with you. We will be in remote areas where these things are not readily available.
We strongly suggest taking anti malaria medications, especially in the wet seasons and to use mosquito repellent whilst on safari. Please consult your doctor regarding anti malaria medication.
As we mostly camp in unfenced wilderness areas, there is always the possibility to encounter dangerous animals. Never panic when in proximity of wild animals. Remain calm and still. Most of the areas are well traveled and the animals are accustomed to humans.
Never leave your tent at night and be sure to not leave any personal belongings outside your tent (hyenas love shoes!)
9 Days
