Traveling to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve

A cheetah and her cub, always a great sight in the Kalahari

Crowded game parks are not the only way to see wildlife in Southern Africa. If you’re an adventurous traveler seeking a real wilderness experience, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) in central Botswana is your dream come true. It’s the largest and most remote reserve in Southern Africa. In fact, at over twenty thousand square miles, it is the second largest wildlife reserve in the world.

There is no Internet in the Central Kalahari and no phone coverage.  No shops or fuel or electricity, and most importantly, no water (except at the Game Scout Camp at Xade).  Instead, what you get is vast blue skies and a chance to experience one of the wildest places on earth where large predators may walk through your unfenced campsite (we prefer the roof top tents.)

Our DIY roof platform where we put our tent.

The Central Kalahari is only accessible by 4-wheel-drive vehicle and you need be completely self-sufficient. They won’t let you through the gate if you aren’t.

If you want to do some Trans-Kalahari travel, the drive between Khutse (in the south) and the northern section of the Central can only be taken with a minimum of two 4×4 vehicles for safety. And bear in mind that the drive takes two days.

Driving in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Central Kalahari Game Reserve Regulations

• Speed limit within the reserve: 40 km/h
• Off road driving strictly prohibited
• Take all your litter with you
• Do not feed or harass wildlife
• Night drive is prohibited

Opening hours:

• 1 April – 30 Sept : 06:30 to 18:30
• 1 Oct – 31 March : 05:30 to 19:00

When to Travel

January through April is the classic time to visit. It brings the end of the rainy season, followed by a procession of fresh grass, the grazers that eat it, and the predators who eat the grazers. The roads can be a bit mushy and odds are you will get stuck so it is advisable to travel in groups of two vehicles. We visited in the dry season (September) and still saw predators ranging from black-maned lions and cheetahs, to bat-eared foxes, honey badgers, and aardwolves.

If you are not a confident off-road driver, I would visit during the dry season to avoid getting stuck in the mud.

A rare sight: the Aardwolf, a termite-eating member of the hyena family.

Be Self-sufficient

You need to be completely self-sufficient when visiting the Central Kalahari. This means, you need to have all the water, food and fuel needed for your trip, plus several extra days worth of supplies in case something goes wrong. If you do break down or get stuck, help may not appear immediately, as the central gets relatively few visitors.

If renting a 4×4, choose one that has a long-range fuel tank. The closest fuel station is in the village of Rakops, three hours away from the Matwere gate on the east side of the park, and the availability of fuel is not guaranteed. Consider taking some extra fuel cans if you are staying for a week or longer.

Remember, your water supply must include your shower water. The campsites do provide a shower enclosure with a hanging bucket shower. Simply pour some of your water into it and open the tap. Other than a pit toilet, these are the only facilities available at each campsite.

The hornbill is a usual visitor at the Central campsites. Note the shower enclosure just behind him.

Camping in the Central Kalahari

Within the northern section of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve there are designated but undeveloped campsites at:

• Deception – 6 campsites
• Kori – 4 campsites
• Lekhubu – 1 campsite
• Letiahau – 1 campsite
• Sunday Pan – 3 campsites
• Lengau – 1 campsite
• Passarge Valley – 3 campsites
• Western Link – 2 campsites
• Piper Pan – 2 campsite
• Xade – 2 campsites

For a map of the game reserve and the camping areas check out this map.

Matswere Gate on the north east of the Central is the access point for designated but undeveloped campsites in the region of Deception Valley, Sunday Pan, Leopard Pan and Passarge Valley, whilst the campsites at Piper Pan are more easily accessed from either Xade (west side of the reserve) or Matswere.

One of the campsites at the Central, only identifiable by a numbered post

Booking A Campsite in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve

You need to book your site in advance as there are only a limited number available within the game reserve. We were always told it had to be done in person at the offices of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. Things might have changed, so give them a call and check.

Be warned: If you are a foreigner, one night of camping will cost you. It is actually $37 -2014 prices- per person per day.  Entrance to the reserve is $14 per person/day and wilderness camping is $23 per person/day. Almost as expensive as camping in Key West, Florida. But way better.

Department of Wildlife and National Parks

Maun
P O Box 20364, Boseja, Maun, BOTSWANA
Telephone No: (267) 661265, Fax No: (267) 661264
Physical location: next to the Police Station in Maun.

Gaborone
PO Box 131, Gaborone, BOTSWANA
Telephone No: (267) 580774, Fax No: (267) 580775, Email: DWNP@gov.bw
Physical location: in the Government Enclave of Gaborone, off Khama Crescent, opposite the end of Queens Road

If you want to use the entrance near Ghanzi (on the north west side of the park),  there is a Department of Wildlife and National Parks office in town. If you ask around, you’ll be directed to it. Or you can phone them for directions at this number: (267) 6596323

We found the booking of campsites confusing and just because you’ve been given a site doesn’t mean it will be unoccupied that night. We have driven into our designated campsites to find it already occupied. So it is best not to time your arrival at your site with sunset.

Camping Etiquette

Once you enter the Central, there are no fences. This means your campsite is not enclosed and any animal can walk through at any time. Visitors are warned that sleeping in the open without a tent is dangerous and foolhardy. Keep your tents fastened at all times to prevent scorpions, snakes, etc. from gaining entry. Just like when camping in bear country, don’t keep any foodstuff or toiletries in your tent. Keep everything in your vehicle to avoid unwanted attention from lions, leopards, hyenas and other animals.

You may get out and walk where you have good visibility, like in the pans

Walking in the Central is dangerous. Always stay within easy reach of your vehicle. Visitors may walk in pan areas where visibility is good but avoid areas with tall grass or bushes.

Your pit toilet and shower cubicle has no doors, and lions do wander in. When using them, do check if its unoccupied. Also, keep in mind that bees love water and they’ll appear while you are taking a shower. A good incentive to save water and keep it short.

Make sure he is not drinking your shower water!

Packing Essentials

This is a very remote part of the world. It is so remote that you might not see other people for a few days. Be prepared for the unexpected.

Here is what we recommend you bring:

• GPS and a good map. We love Botswana Traveler’s Map by Tracks4Africa  (see our review here)
• Extra batteries for your flashlight
• A well-equipped First Aid kit (including a snake bite kit)
• Rehydration solution
• Satellite phone
• Inflatable LED Solar Lantern. These are great for packing and do really work! You can use them by hanging them on your tent or as a table light, for dining under the stars.
• Trail camera. While this is not an essential item, it is so much fun to have around! We always travel with our  Bushnell NatureView HD. Since the camps in the Central are unfenced, you have a big chance of getting a photo of a lion or a hyena walking through your site while you sleep!

If you are traveling from April to September, bear in mind that the temperatures in the Kalahari are very extreme. You will experience the four seasons within one day. It is very cold at night (often below freezing) and very hot during the day. Bring a warm blanket.

If visiting during the dry season, be prepared for heat and little shade (and this gemsbok took it all)

Driving

You will be driving on sand so some sand-driving experience is helpful. Here are a few driving implements you should consider bringing:

• 2 spare tires
• electric and manual tire pump
• high lift jack
• shovel
• sand mat (for getting traction to a stuck wheel)

Be prepared for some sand driving

Don’t let the pans fool you. After the rains, the salt dries up forming a crust on top of all that water. Even if it looks dry, it can still be very slimy underneath. Drive slowly and be careful. When you drive over them, the salt crust will break and your 4×4 will sink in the mud. Be prepared to get out.

It’s Worth It

Don’t the let difficulties frighten you, just be prepared. If you long for a truly remote African wilderness adventure, it’s hard to beat the Central Kalahari in Botswana.

The wildlife sightings in the Central (like this honey badger) make a trip really worth it.

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