Botswana Safaris > Camping Safaris

The Wild Kalahari

A Discoverer Exploration – 3 nights / 4 days

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, one of the largest protected areas in Africa, is an extremely diverse and productive thirstland ecosystem, providing sightings of thriving herds of springbok and gemsbok and the iconic black-maned lion. Thanks to its habitat diversity, healthy game populations move through the area and are present to a greater or lesser degree all year long.

Exploring the Kalahari unlocks the fascinating wildlife treasures found in this wonderful area. A San Bushman experience provides a fascinating insight into the unique experience of this fast disappearing culture.

This three-night Wild Kalahari Exploration provides a perfect contrast to the Okavango and Linyanti regions and rounds off the diversity of northern Botswana. It is also recommended as a contrasting add-on to Migration Routes or other lodge-based itineraries.

Explorations are led by highly skilled and qualified professional guides with an incredible passion for the natural regions they work in. Sharing the adventure and guiding you on this journey of discovery combined with their vast knowledge of the natural world, history and culture are their professions and personal hobby. Years of experience in the field and a depth of understanding of animal behavior and the environment will leave you with a sense of complete wonder.

Many of our guides are also skilled photographers and can assist you in taking away amazing wildlife photographs. They are also available to lead private safaris and specialist trips.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Deception Valley Lodge

Upon arrival in Maun we depart overland to Deception Valley Lodge.

Deception Valley Lodge is located approximately 25 miles from Deception Pan, bordering the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The lodge accommodates 16 guests in private chalets, each with a spacious lounge, en-suite Victorian-style bathroom, outdoor shower and veranda. The main area, connected to the units by elevated wooden walkways, boasts dining, lounge and bar areas. From the deck wildlife can be seen at the nearby waterhole and there is a curio shop, small library, swimming pool and boma for evening meals.

On the evening of arrival, we enjoy a night drive. The main activity on the day of departure on Day 2 includes a short game drive en route to a guided Bushman nature walk.

Days 2 – 3: Kalahari Plains Camp

After an early breakfast at the lodge, we will have the unique opportunity to experience the Kalahari Bushman way of life.

We then depart by road on a game drive transfer to Kalahari Plains Camp where we will spend the next two days exploring and observing the unique fauna and flora that this starkly beautiful region has to offer.

Kalahari Plains Camp is situated in a remote part of the diverse and productive Central Kalahari Game Reserve and offers some fascinating wildlife viewing opportunities. Located in the Kalahari Desert biome in the central part of Botswana, this reserve is the largest conservation area in this country and at 5 million hectares (12 million acres), one of the largest in the world.

Kalahari Plains Camp comprises six Meru-style en-suite tents with a central area with lounge, dining area and central bar. The tents and main area are all raised off the ground to catch the breeze and take in the sweeping spacious view across the Kalahari. Solar power provides electricity and hot water, and the innovative insulated canvas walls and roof keep the temperatures inside comfortable.

Thanks to the diversity of habitats, healthy game populations move through the area.

In the winter months, the Kalahari is more typically a desert-type system: warm and dry. Game viewing remains productive and moves into the vegetated dunal belt and pan systems surrounding the valleys; a series of ecologically placed waterholes further enhance wildlife viewing. Gemsbok, springbok and blue wildebeest are commonly seen. Predator concentrations can be good and sightings of lions are complemented with possibilities of the best cheetah viewing in Southern Africa. Wild dog and leopard are seen on occasion and black-backed jackal and bat-eared fox are common. Other mammal possibilities include southern giraffe, steenbok, red hartebeest and the charismatic ground squirrels and meerkats (suricates).

More information about Kalahari Plains Camp

Day 4: Road transfer back to Maun

After an early breakfast, we travel by road back to Maun, arriving in time to bid farewell to your guide for onward arrangements. Please note that this transfer arrives in Maun at approximately 12h30.

IMPORTANT ADDITONAL SAFARI NOTES

The Wild Kalahari Exploration links effortlessly for guests at Maun on the end of some of the Migration Routes departures and is a highly recommended add-on. This trip is also the perfect value-add starting point to a lodge itinerary through the Okavango and Linyanti to the North.

Tour Direction: Maun – Central Kalahari – Maun

Private safari options: Tailored Explorations are available on flexible dates, accommodation and itineraries, for groups of up to eight guests. These are also ideal for families or for small groups from four guests.

Exclusive experience: Deception Valley Lodge, Kalahari Plains Camp and air linkages are open to other guests. All activities and guides are private for the group on this safari.

Transfers: Transfers are by road on comfortable tar and 4x4 tracks. 4x4 tracks in wilderness areas are not maintained, can take time to navigate and may be bumpy.

International air connection onto the safari: If arrival is planned for the day of the safari’s departure, please ensure that this arrival is on the earliest possible flight from Johannesburg. It is important that guests are ready to depart with the guide by no later than ±12H00. Arrival on a later flight may necessitate additional road or air transfers (as departure for the first camp/lodge will already have taken place), subject to extra cost.

International air connections leaving the safari: Please ensure that your departure flight is booked for after 13h00 from Maun. Earlier connections will unfortunately not be possible, due to the distance needing to be travelled back to Maun.

Flashlights/ torches: Please ensure that a minimum 2-D cell flashlight is brought on safari, with spare batteries. Head lamps are also useful. Wilderness Safaris does not supply flashlights.

Camera battery charging facilities: Please note that a 12V cigarette lighter adaptor will be required (that is compatible with camera make) on this safari for charging batteries while on game drive or transfer drives. No 110/ 240V outlets are available, except at Deception Valley Lodge.

Dietary requirements and special occasions: Due to remote locality of the camps, please ensure that full dietary requirements and special occasions are advised at the time of your booking confirmation.