BOTSWANA HIGHLIGHTS THE CENTRAL KALAHARI GAME RESERVE


Desert dwellers C


overing around 80% of Botswana’s land area, the semi-arid Kgalagadi (Kalahari) terrain dominates most of the country. Unlike the usual perception of a desert, the Kalahari is rich in natural resources. These include the sweeping grasslands that feed the wildlife population, and a wealth of minerals, particularly diamonds, which have fostered and sustained dramatic economic growth for the past 35 years. The Kalahari supports a variety of vegetation and although it often appears as grassy plains dotted with low shrubs, there are many different landscapes. Following a season of good rains, the desert is totally transformed, covered with lush green grasses and fl ooded pans.


TIMELESS LANDS Many desert animals including springbok, gemsbok, eland and even the majestic Kalahari lion are well adapted to the desert's semi-arid conditions. They can live without water, taking their moisture from other sources such as eating succulent plants, taking dew and conserving body moisture during the heat of the day. Other common Kalahari animal species include wildebeest, zebra, kudu, red hartebeest, and the predators, lion, cheetah, leopard and both the spotted and brown hyena.


Human occupation of the Kalahari goes back as far as the Stone Age with later inhabitants, the San, developing survival strategies which adapted to and worked in harmony with their environment.


SUMMER RAINS


The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is the largest, most remotely situated reserve in southern Africa and the second largest wildlife reserve in the world, incorporating over 52,000 sq kms. During and after good summer rains, the fl at grasslands of the reserve’s northern part are full of wildlife which gather at the best grazing areas. This includes large herds of springbok and gemsbok as well as wildebeest, hartebeest, eland and giraffe. Predators are also drawn to the area, enticed by the prospect of an easy meal. At other times of the year when the animals


are more sparsely distributed, the experience of travelling through truly untouched wilderness of seemingly unending dimensions, is the draw.


Clockwise from top: Desert lion; A long and winding road; San bushman; Accommodation in the Kalahari is of the eco-friendly and low-impact kind


Established in 1961 as a game reserve, it was only in the 1980s and 1990s that it became acces- sible to tourists. More recently the Government has initiated plans to develop tourism and has allocated a small number of concessions to allow for lodges to be built to accommodate fl y-in tourists. These companies also offer the opportunity for visitors to observe fi rst-hand the culture and extraordinary abilities of the San, by taking a walk with them.


On a typical walk it is possible to see the harvesting of bush foods and medicinal remedies, hunting with traditional bow and arrow, the ancient way of making fi re and, back in the camp, the captivating San dancing. Deception Valley in the north of the reserve is one of the highlights, mainly due to the large concentration of herbivores. It is also the most travelled part of the reserve with a number of public campsites. •


SELLING TIP


BOTSWANA IS A TOP CHOICE FOR A PHOTOGRAPHY SAFARI


The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in the world, a place where abundant game roam among a timeless landscape of unending dimensions


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