Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi, Nxai, Okavango, Moremi, Khwai, Savu
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve covers a large section of central Botswana. Its harsh, sprawling terrain is dominated by grasslands, home to wildlife such as giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs. There are several fossilized river valleys, including Deception Valley and Passage Valley, which offer basic campsites. Dirt tracks wind south through the reserve's remote landscapes to the Piper’s Pan area. The land is mostly flat and gently undulating covered with bush and grasses covering the sand dunes, and areas of larger trees. Many of the river valleys are fossilized with salt pans. Four fossilized rivers meander through the reserve including Deception Valley which began to form around 16,000 years ago. The Bushmen, or San, have inhabited the lands for thousands of years since they roamed the area as nomadic hunters.. Hundreds of Zebra congregate here to Makgadikgadi to drink and provide great photographic opportunities. There are numerous birds of prey in this area, vultures, owls and eagles galore. We will concentrate on game drives along the river which should be flowing still although it has a history of drying up. Hippos and Crocodiles occur here, and survived 17 years when the river was dry, until early 2009. White Rhino were released here several years ago, but are seldom seen.Nxai Pan National Park covers an area of 2,100 km2, and comprises several larger pans which were once ancient salt lakes. These larger pans are now grassed, and are scattered with islands of acacia trees, and smaller pans that fill with water during the rainy season - thus providing rich resources for wildlife.