The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is located in the centre of Botswana, south of Maun and west of the Makgadikgadi Pans. It covers an area of 52,800 sq. kms and is the second largest game reserve in Africa.
Deception Valley in the north is a particularly good area for gameviewing, especially during the summer when an abundance of grazers congregate on the ancient riverbeds and pans which provide good grazing during and after the rains.
Predators like lion, cheetah, leopard, wild dog and brown hyaena make use of this opportunity to satisfy their hunger and as there are large open areas here, visibility is very good for gameviewing. This area was made famous by Mark and Delia Owens who lived and worked here during the 1970’s, studying the behaviour and habits of the brown hyaena and writing their book, Cry of the Kalahari.
The best gameviewing in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is from Pipers Pan northwards. Waterholes can be found at Sunday Pan, Passarge Pan, Letiahau, Piper’s Pan and Xaxa.
Tau Pan Lodge is the only Luxury Lodge inside the Park though there are many private campsites for Mobile Tented Safaris throughout the northern part of the Park.
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is certainly one of Africa’s top wildlife and wilderness reserves and is highly recommended for any visit to Botswana.