Crowded game parks are not the only way to see wildlife in Southern Africa. In fact, at over twenty thousand square miles, it is the second largest wildlife reserve in the world and a great stop on your Botswana safari. We receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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. The Central Kalahari is only accessible by 4-wheel-drive vehicle and you need be completely self-sufficient.
And bear in mind that the drive takes two days. Please, follow these rules and be aware of other general safari etiquette to make your visit to the Central Kalahari more enjoyable and safe.
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. 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.
