The CKGR is the largest, most remotely situated reserve in Southern Africa and the second largest wildlife reserve in the world, encompassing 52,800 sq. km.
Nothing can prepare a visitor for the sheer size and immensity of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), nor its wild, mysterious beauty. There is the immediate impression of unending space, which gives the impression of having the entire reserve to yourself.
During and shortly after good summer rains the flat grasslands of the reserve's northern reaches fill with wildlife gathering at the best grazing areas. Including large herds of springbok and gemsbok and wildebeest, hartebeest, eland and giraffe.
Silver Terminalia sand veldt, Kalahari sand acacias, Kalahari apple leaf dominate the landscape, interspersed with grasslands and dotted with occasional dunes, pans and shallow fossil river valleys.
Deception Valley, located in the north, is one of the reserve highlights due to dense concentrations of herbivores that gather to feed on the sweet grasses that spring into life after the rainy season. Naturally, these animals attract the usual predators.
The fossil pans of Nxai Pan offer spectacular seasonal game-viewing in the rainy season (November - March). Huge herds of Zebra, Wildebeest, Springbok and Gemsbok attract many predators - Lion, Cheetah and both brown and spotted Hyena. Large numbers of Bat Eared Fox which prey on rodents and reptiles can also be spotted.
The Nxai Pan National Park is basically a salt pan. and after a good rainfall water flows into the pan.
This is one of the few areas in Botswana more interesting during the rainy season when huge herds hit Nxai's grassy pans. Wildebeest, zebra and gemsbok appear in their thousands with large herds of other Antelope and Giraffe.
In the mopane woodland lion, giraffe, kudu, impala, ostrich, amazing birdlife and large numbers of springbok together with a good population of jackal, bat-eared fox and numerous smaller creatures are permanent residents. Once the rains have started, gemsbok, elephant and zebra migrate to the area.
Zebra are present in thousands and drop their young at Nxai Pan, rivalling the multitude of young springbok to further add to the game-viewing opportunities. Whilst many other parks and reserves are not considered to be at their best during the rains, Nxai Pan becomes a veritable Garden of Eden.
