Central Kalahari Game Reserve
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is one of the largest protected areas in Africa. Our
concession is located on its northern plains, where the landscape comprises flat grasslands and
undulating vegetated dunes, at times teeming with a multitude of antelope species and large
predators. This area is characterised by vast open grassy plains, seasonal pans, wooded acacia
islands, prehistoric scrub-covered dunes and fossil riverbeds.
As a result of this diversity of habitats, healthy game populations move between dune and valley,
depending on the season. It is also known to hold significant populations of large predators like lion
and brown hyaena.
Aside from the enormous open plain in front of camp, other prime wildlife viewing areas include
places with such evocative names as Deception Valley and Sunday Pan. The former is all that
remains of an ancient riverbed, which today is an 80 km-long (50 mile-long) gentle valley floor
covered with short palatable grasses interspersed with picturesque tree islands. The name
'Deception' is derived from the mirage effect caused by the dry surface of the pan halfway along its
length that often appears misleadingly full of water.
During the summer months, after much-needed rains, the area where Kalahari Plains is situated is
characterised by lush green landscapes, floral displays and pans that fill with water. At this time of
year these verdant flatlands are alive with aggregations of gemsbok (oryx), springbok and blue
wildebeest. As a result of these numbers, predator concentrations are also high and sightings of the
almost mythical black-maned Kalahari lion can be complemented by some good cheetah viewing.
Black-backed jackal and bat-eared fox also occur, with wild dog and leopard seen on occasion. Other
mammal possibilities include steenbok, red hartebeest, giraffe and the charismatic ground squirrels
and meerkats (suricates).
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.
After sunset the Kalahari is alive with the sounds of roaring lion, white-faced scops-owls and the
garrulous calls of barking geckos.
The avifauna in the reserve is equally diverse, with over 220 species recorded to date. There are
significant, healthy populations of regionally threatened species such as Kori bustard and lappetfaced vulture, as well as a variety of arid-west endemic species like Burchell's sandgrouse, greybacked sparrowlark, Kalahari scrub-robin and African wren-warbler. The vivid colours of crimsonbreasted shrike and violet-eared waxbill provide a startling contrast to the sometimes stark
surroundings.
CAMPS IN THIS CONCESSION: KALAHARI PLAINS CAMP
© Wilderness Safaris 2013