Central Kalahari Navigation

About Central Kalahari

Central Kalahari is situated in Botswana, in the heart of the Kalahari Desert. Central Kalahari backpacking tours offer a blend of ancient San culture, excellent wildlife viewing and rich and varied plant and bird life.

Central Kalahari Budget Travel

Central Kalahari budget travel is very easy with great value for money backpacking tours and fantastic highlights. Below is useful information on Central Kalahari to help you plan your budget holiday in Central Kalahari. We offer a variety of budget tours and backpacking advice in Central Kalahari.

Airports

Central Kalahari airports include:
• Sir Seretse Khama - Gaborone International Airport
• Maun Airport
• Central Kalahari Game Reserve airstrips

Birdlife

A number of Central Kalahari birdlife can be found, including ostrich, various vultures and raptors, Little Bee-eater, Lilac-breasted Roller, and Secretary Bird.

Conservation

Central Kalahari conservation is largely centered around the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, which is one of Botswana's top reserves. A number of wildlife, bird and plant species, as well as the indigenous San tribes can all be found in this reserve.

Malaria

Central Kalahari malaria medication includes the following:
• Mefloquine (Lariam)
• Doxycycline
• Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)

Money

• Banking should be done in Maun before leaving for the Central Kalahari
• Credit cards are seldom accepted in the region
• Lodges within the Central Kalahari Game Reserve may be able to exchange foreign currency but most do not have facilities to do this
• Be prepared and bring local Botswana currency when you visit this region

Plants

Central Kalahari plant life consists mainly of grasses and acacias, but there are over 400 identified plant species to be found, including the wild watermelon and desert cucumber.

Safety Tips

• Temperatures reach very high levels in this region, so wear a sunhat, bring plenty of sunscreen and drink lots of bottled water
• Do not attempt to walk around the area without a guide ' it is easy to get lost, and dangerous predators could be present
• Stay in your car during game drives and listen to your guide’s instructions
• Do not ever attempt to feed or touch any wildlife you see
• Look out for snakes and have respect for the San tribes and their cultures

Travel Books

Central Kalahari recommended travel books include the following:
• The Kua: Life and Soul of the Central Kalahari Bushmen by Carlos Valiente Noailles
• Africa's Top Wildlife Countries: Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia & Zimbabwe by Mark W. Nolting
• The Healing Land: The Bushmen and the Kalahari Desert by Rupert Isaacson
• Southern Africa: Living Landscapes by David Rogers
• Kalahari Hunter-Gatherers: Studies of the !Kung San and Their Neighbors by Richard B. Lee

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Botswana

Wildlife

Central Kalahari wildlife includes a range of game such as giraffe, brown hyena, warthog, cheetah, wild dog, leopard, lion, blue wildebeest, eland, gemsbok, kudu and red hartebeest.

Tania - OverlandingAfrica.com13 Oct 2010: Hi Naomi, Our 15 day Kalahari and Okavango Delta trip spends 2 nights in the Central Kalahari which gives you a full day of game driving. This is a group overland tour but for this section you will be split into smaller groups and use smaller game viewing vehicles.
naomi gutman13 Oct 2010: how many days are there tours around the safari? or is it all in groups, or can you stay as long as u want?

2 Overland tours through Central Kalahari recommended for you

Complete Desert and Delta

21 days From EUR 1885

Livingstone to Livingstone

Kalahari and Okavango Delta

15 days From EUR 1645

Johannesburg to Livingstone

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