• Safari Club - Kalahari

Botswana flag Kalahari & Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana

These two semi-desert areas are often overlooked but can be an essential part of any Botswana safari during the summer months between December and May.

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve with it extensive grasslands is reminiscent of the Serengeti plains and the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans which are in total contrast to the verdant, game-rich Okavango and Linyanti regions. This unforgiving land is the home of the Kalahari San Bushmen.

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve experience focuses on species unique to the area such as brown hyena, red hartebeest, gemsbok (Oryx), springbok and the huge black-maned Kalahari lion as well as animals which are rarer elsewhere such as the cheetah.

For a few months each year the Makgadikgadi region transforms into one of the most important wetland sites in Africa. When the rains come, the pans fill with water and they become the breeding ground for huge flocks of flamingo and other migratory birds. ...

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Big 5: elephant Big 5: lion Big 5: leopard Big 5: buffalo Big 5: rhino

WHY VISIT Kalahari & Makgadikgadi Pans

  • Your chance to see some more unusual desert animals
  • Huge black maned lions
  • Spend time with habituated meerkats in Makgadikgadi Pans
  • Big herds of plains game
  • Flamingo’s and migratory birds
  • Meet the San Bushmen and learn about their way of life
  • Experience superb guiding
  • Take in endless horizons and big skies
  • Some of the best star gazing on earth in unpolluted skies
  • See the zebra migration

ACCOMMODATION IN Kalahari & Makgadikgadi Pans

There is world class accommodation here in all categories, your choice of hotel, lodge or camp will depend on whether you are after a romantic stay or something more family orientated. Our consultants can guide you on the best options for your budget and aspirations.


ENTRY

CLASSIC

PREMIUM



SAMPLE TOURS

Below are some successful itineraries that have worked well for our clients. Please call to check availability or better still let us tailor make your own safari holiday.

Botswana in the Secret Season

A flexible flying safari

12 days from £5057 (US$6322)

Botswana Summer Safari

Seasonal Bargain

11 days from £5710


PHOTO GALLERIES

Safari Club Photos - Bushmen fire lighting

Botswana Familiarisation Trip 2017

All Photo Galleries

PLACES TO GO IN Kalahari & Makgadikgadi Pans

If you have time and are traveling between December and May try to include at least one of these desert areas in your itinerary. Our experienced consultants will be delighted to plan a trip which includes these desert areas, please call to discuss.



WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO GO?

The best time to visit most of this area is during the green summer season between December and May. It can be very cold at night in the winter months and also bone dry. The Nxai Pan and Boteti River area have good year round game viewing.

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC


DRY SEASON

During the winter months this area becomes extremely dry and night time temperatures can drop below freezing. The wildlife is well dispersed and many species have migrated out of the region, although wildlife adapted to desert conditions remains. Most safari lodges remain open throughout the year but game viewing is reliant on waterholes and may be sparse compared to further North.

green SEASON

Once the first rains come to these regions they are transformed from dry deserts to rich green grasslands reminiscent of the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania and stretching as far as the eye can see. The grass attracts huge herds of grazers and in their wake the full range of predators.

Spectacular storms followed by long sunny periods are a feature of the green season.

This is normally considered peak season in the desert areas making it ideal to combine with an affordable safari in the Okavango and Chobe regions further north which have some super deals at this time of year.

SHOULDER SEASON

This covers the months of November and May and the quality of your experience will depend on the onset of the rains and the start of the dry season



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