The
Central Kalahari Game Reserve was founded in 1961 and is the largest
game reserve in the world. Its remoteness, unforgiving climate
and harsh terrain have kept it pristine and untouched. Those who
venture into this remote wilderness are rewarded with wild Africa
at its best.
The
reserve was created to provide a refuge for the San Bushmen. The
Kalahari has been their home for over 30 000 years and their natural
environment, the only place they were able to survive. Their traditional
lifestyle is all but gone but some bush survival knowledge is
still passed down from generation to generation. Most of the lodges
and camps in the area employ and involve people of Bushman origin
to guide and teach visitors their ways of old. Their skills are
now limited to tourism as their land has been taken over by diamond
companies.
Although
it has no permanent surface water, the Kalahari is made up of
a wide variety of habitats including acacia trees and massive
expanses of shimmering, flat grasslands. A variety of grasses,
acacia trees and tough drought resistant vegetation cover most
of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The main source of water
for the animals during the dry season is tsamma melons and gemsbok
cucumbers found in the shallow valleys of sand.
Deception
Valley is the most famous area and a brilliant game watching area.
LODGES IN KALAHARI · SAFARIS
IN BOTSWANA
MAP OF
KALAHARI
