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    Immense, unending and vastly untouched

    Still considered a true wilderness, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is believed to be the second largest game reserve in the world (52,800km²) with the highest concentration of cheetah in all southern Africa. The reserve is located in Botswana’s Kalahari Desert and is the home of the nomadic San people.

    This is a remote swathe of flat, rolling bush territory, quite inaccessible in places with unending grasslands, peppered with sand dunes, fossil river valleys and salt pans. It was in fact closed for around 30 years. But the camps, lodges and visitors are beginning to increase once more, giving those who come here a more luxury Central Kalahari safari.

    One of the highlights of this reserve is Deception Valley in the north, formed by four fossilised river systems and where its sweet grasses attract large herds of herbivores and in turn, hungry predators.

    In terms of wildlife, it offers plains game unseen in the Delta such as large herds of gemsbok and springbok, and you will also frequently see the black-maned Kalahari lion, lots of cheetah, leopard, giraffe, cape fox, honey badger, the rare nocturnal brown hyena, and over 220 species of birds.

    From our experts

    Experiences picked by our Botswana safari specialists

    • Spot cheetah on the move preview image
    • Go in search of black-maned lions preview image
    • Time your visit for the great gemsbok and springbok herds preview image
    • Track wildlife with San guides preview image
    • Sleep under desert skies at a private camp preview image

    Spot cheetah on the move

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    Explore Deception Valley at first light with your private guide, where the open pans give you some of the best chances to spot cheetah on the move.

    Go in search of black-maned lions

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    Follow the fossil river valleys and salt pans with wide grasslands, red sand and the chance of black-maned Kalahari lions cruising the open country.

    Time your visit for the great gemsbok and springbok herds

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    Time your safari from December to April to see big herds of gemsbok and springbok drawn to the sweet grasses.

    Track wildlife with San guides

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    Walk with San (Basarwa) guides and learn traditional tracking skills, including reading spoor – an important part of their culture.

    Sleep under desert skies at a private camp

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    Spend the night at your private camp in the Central Kalahari sleeping under huge starry desert skies and listening to the bush after dark.

    Luxury accommodation in Central Kalahari Game Reserve

    There are many incredible places to stay in Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

    Why book with Jacada?

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    Safari expertise

    Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.

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    Unforgettable guides

    We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.

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    Positive impact

    By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.

    Trip inspiration

    Get inspired with our Central Kalahari Game Reserve example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

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    Ready to plan your adventure?

    Whatever you want from your Central Kalahari Game Reserve adventure, our team of safari experts are ready to help.

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    When to visit

    Central Kalahari can be brilliant in more than one season, and it’s one of those places where the “best” time depends on what you want to see. July to October (the dry months) is the most reliable window for classic game viewing.

    December to March is the rainy green season. Expect seasonal pans filled with water and herds gathering in areas like Deception Valley for fresh grazing. Spot wildebeest, springbok and oryx. You may also catch the wider Kalahari zebra movement.

    April is a strong shoulder month as rainfall eases off. The days start to be dry and sunny, making it more comfortable for safaris.

    Classic game viewing

    July–October

    Green season grazing

    December–March

    Shoulder season

    April

    When Is the Best Time to Visit Botswana?

    When Is the Best Time to Visit Botswana?

    Read more

    Plan your trip to Central Kalahari Game Reserve

    Whatever you want from your adventure in Central Kalahari Game Reserve, our team of safari experts are ready to help.

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    Your trip, your story

    We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

    Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

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