3 Day Central Kalahari Game Reserve Classic Safari in Botswana
Central Kalahari Safari in Botswana
Nothing prepares you for the immensity of this reserve, nor its wild, mysterious beauty. There is the immediate impression of unending space, and having the entire reserve to yourself. At night the stars utterly dominate the land; their brilliance and immediacy are totally arresting. Central Kalahari Game Reserve is unique in that it was originally established in 1961 with the intention of serving as a place of sanctuary for the San, in the heart of the Kalahari. To this date, it still feels untouched!
Key information
- Children policy: Children from the age of 12 years are allowed to participate under the supervision of a parent or guardian.
- English-speaking guide
- All park fees are included
Highlights
- Unique authentic safari experiences and game drives
- Explore Central Kalahari Game Reserve
- Opportunity to see cheetah, lions, leopards, and more
- Service of a trained full-time camp chef
- 2 nights accommodation in en-suite tents
- Meals and drinks are provided
- Airport transfers
Skill level
- Intermediate
Styles
Accommodation
During the safari, you will stay in a tent. The tents are en-suite with showers and portable flushable toilets with camper beds in tents all night. The Xaa Safaris team will set up the tents including bedding (stretcher beds, foldable mattresses, linen, towels), and have your showers ready with warm water. Your tent veranda will have two chairs for that reflection moment.
Program
Day 1: Welcome to Kalahari
You will depart from Maun at 7 a.m. and head to Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) to set camp in the Deception Valley. You should reach CKGR in 2 hours.
You will arrive at camp to have lunch and enjoy an afternoon siesta. You will head out for an evening game drive and sunset within the Deception Valley. Upon return to the camp, you will be treated to a hot camp shower before proceeding to dinner around a campfire. You will then retreat to your 3.2 x 3.2-meter tent equipped with a stretcher bed, a veranda, and an attached bathroom with a flushable toilet, shower, and sink.
- Main destination: Central Kalahari Game Reserve
- Accommodation: Mid-range camping inside the park
- Meals and drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks
Day 2: Sunday Pan and Passarge Valley
Rise and shine and say hello to a fresh morning over coffee / tea and rusks for a 6:30 a.m. game drive to Sunday Pan waterhole, and have brunch at Passarge Valley. Under the dense umbrella thorned acacia tortillis thickets, cheetahs and lions rest up in the mid-day heat.
CKGR boasts an amazing variety of birds: Secretary bird, kori bustard, and ostrich are the most prominent of the species to be spotted, with good chances of seeing lapped-faced vultures and white-backed vultures too.
You will continue to explore this amazing landscape in search of its beauty. The final leg of the morning drive will take you back through Leopard Pan to arrive at camp for lunch and enjoy an afternoon siesta.
After a well-deserved rest, you will depart for an evening game drive to Deception Pan where you will enjoy a great sunset. Once the sun goes down you will head back to camp.
- Main destination: Central Kalahari Game Reserve
- Accommodation: Mid-range camping, inside the park
- Meals and drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3: Final leg, say goodbye to the Kalahari
Rise and shine and say hello to a fresh early morning over coffee / tea and rusks! You will head out for a game drive at the crack of dawn with the hopes of spotting a cheetah, a resident pride of lion, and several leopards whose territories include parts of the pan.
You will head back to camp around mid-morning to enjoy a warm shower before a scrumptious breakfast. Once you have had breakfast, you will embark on your vehicle for a leisurely drive back to Maun.
The reserve might have little farewell surprises as you drive back “home” so keep those cameras ready to capture the last memories of the Kalahari. You will enjoy the leisurely drive as you continue learning about this reserve and its beauties, mostly very unique.
Anticipate arriving in Maun mid-afternoon, depending on what you spot along the way. You will be transported to your hotel or start another tour to either Moremi Game Reserve or Okavango Delta, both highly recommended destinations to augment the Kalahari experience.
- Main destination: Central Kalahari Game Reserve
- Accommodation: No accommodation (end of tour)
- Meals and drinks: Breakfast and lunch (dinner not included), non-alcoholic drinks
Location
This safari takes place at Central Kalahari Game Reserve. During and shortly after good summer rains (September to January), the flat grasslands of the reserve’s northern reaches teem with wildlife, which gathers at the best grazing areas. These include springbok and gemsbok, as well as wildebeest, hartebeest, eland and giraffe.
At other times of the year, when the animals are more sparsely distributed, the experience of traveling through truly untouched wilderness, of seemingly unending dimensions, is amazing.
Food
Meals as specified in the itinerary are included in the price. The Xaa Safaris team will take care of all the camp chores including cooking.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Soda
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Gluten Free
- Whole food
- Other dietary requirements on request
What's included
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- Camping equipment
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation
- All taxes/VAT
- 2 nights accommodation in a tent
- Roundtrip airport/hotel transfers
- Meals and non-alcoholic drinks
What's not included
- International flights
- Additional accommodation (before and at the end of the tour)
- Tips (recommended 10 USD per person per day)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, and others)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and / or park fees
- Alcoholic drinks (can be arranged on request at an extra fee)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Maun Airport
268 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Maun Airport (MUB). Roundtrip airport transfers are included in the price.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookAllSafaris.com. All major credit cards supported.