The Kalahari Desert extends 900,000km in Southern Africa and covers much of Botswana and parts of Namibia and South Africa. The Kalahari Basin is said to extend further into Angola, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Kalahari has vast areas covered by red sand, is arid to semi-arid and mostly without any permanent surface water. There are some parts of the Kalahari however that do receive an annual rainfall, therefore making it not quite a “true” desert.
Over 10,000 years ago the Kalahari was a much wetter place and the area was dominated by the ancient Lake Makgadikgadi. Then 10,000 years ago, the final major water loss occurred and Lake Makgadikgadi dried up and the large salt pans of Makgadikgadi and Etosha evolved, and are what we see today.
With a number of game reserves falling into this vast area the flora and wildlife is unique. The Kalahari is also home to the Bushman and has been for 20,000 years. Some time spent with these remarkable people gives you some insights into how they survive in this unforgiving environment.
One of our preferred partners Wilderness Safaris operates the Kalahari Plains Camp in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The area is known for its outstanding wildlife, vast herds of antelope followed by abundant predators. Here you get to feel the vastness of your location and experience that true African beauty.
Camps run in the Makgadikgadi Pans by Uncharted Africa provide you with a legendary experience! 10 luxury East African Safari style canvas tents, all en-suite with outdoor showers and Persian rugs, providing endless views into the rugged wilderness beyond is what makes Jacks Camp.
San Camp, one of the most romantic camps in Africa, sits serenely in a reef of palm from where you can see the curve of the earth. Camp Kalahari offers exhilarating horse safaris and all 3 camps offer experiences totally unique to the desert environment they operate in. Here you can lose your soul to Africa…
