Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Getting There

Expert

Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Botswana.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve is 250km/155mi south of Maun, which is the gateway town to the Okavango Delta. The drive takes about 5 hours*.

The reserve has five entrances, including Kang Gate, which opened in 2024 in the far southwest. This gate allows direct access to the reserve from the south, from the town of Kang, without the need to pass through Khutse Game Reserve.

Most visitors rent a 4x4 vehicle to drive to the reserve. Alternatively, you can book a 4WD safari and be picked up by your driver-guide at the start of your safari. Most self-drive visitors use the Matswere Gate, which is about 40km/25mi northeast of popular Deception Valley (and 45km/28mi west of Rakops). After rain, some access roads can be in poor condition and driving times will be longer.

It is much easier to fly to one of the camps inside or outside the reserve by chartered plane. Most visitors fly into Maun International Airport (MUB) or Kasane International Airport (BBK), with charter flights available from either airport, or from smaller airstrips across northern Botswana.

Tour operators usually book charter flights between parks as part of your tour package. There are no scheduled flights to Central Kalahari.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

18 Central Kalahari Safaris

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Maun International Airport (MUB) or Kasane International Airport (BBK), and what tickets would cost.