Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Unique eco-system in Botswana

We stayed at Kwando's Tau Pan lodge in the CKGR for three nights in January, 2011. The CKGR was quite different than the lush concessions up north and the differences were really interesting. The wide expanses of the pans were beautiful. It was very peaceful and quiet. We saw very few people.

We found the accommodation at Tau Pan excellent. The lodge is very new with spacious rooms. We had a large indoor and outdoor shower and an indoor and outdoor sitting room. The food was always excellent and fresh. The lodge uses new Range Rovers with roofs for transportation. Unlike the other Kwando concessions that we visited (Kwara and Lebala) there was less 'off roading' per the CKGR rules. We enjoyed seeing lots of wildlife although not in such abundance as in other parts of Botswana. The steenbocks pronking at dusk was a highlight as was hearing a lion roaring though the night. We are not 'birders' but we found the bird life in the CKGR diverse and interesting.

Our guides we excellent and we particularly enjoyed the guided walk by the bushman, Scupa. He showed us how to find tubers for water, set snares, make soap out of a plant etc.

We met another couple on the bush plan on the way out who had stayed at Kwando's other lodge, Nxai Pan and loved it.

The Kalahari is without doubt breathtaking: a bushy desert with a good wildlife.
There are less tourists than in the most popular parks, but spotting animals can be harder.

Very isolated - camp sites miles from each other and really in the bush with very few amenities. Birding species limited due to dry conditions - however there are plentiful and specials for the area.

Limited variety of game and bird species. Habitat is not very diverse. Very rustic camping sites.

In the middle of the bush, in the middle of the desert. Anybody there, lions tracks beside your room. Unique.

The location and wildlife are a different kind of beauty to other parts of the country. It feels isolated and yet when you are quiet and interested, the area comes a live with all sorts of life forms. Life seems to move slower in the desert.

Large variety of animals and limited amenities

A huge area with lots of wildlife but sometimes it's frustratingly difficult to get near to it as you can't go off road. Good camping but very minimalist sites.

The CKGR is a difficult safari destination, requiring many hours on rough roads. Thus, it feels truly wild. You must stay on your toes here!

Well developed but still authentic bush.