Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Long routes, vast stretches of reserve and campsites with just the basics. In Central Kalahari Game Reserve, you drive between Deception Valley, Sunday Pan and Passarge Valley, with wildlife often appearing only after long stretches on the road.
Discover everything about this location.
The road gets quieter out here.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve is Botswana’s largest and most extensive wildlife reserve. It was closed to tourism for a long time, before opening again in the 1990s. Since then, travellers have been able to cross the reserve in a 4x4.
Facilities were almost non-existent at first. Today, more roads have been added and campsites such as Motopi, Passarge and Kori have basic facilities. Tau Lodge is also located inside the reserve.
Most journeys focus on the northern section. It is also possible to cross the reserve from north to south, bringing Khutse Reserve into the route.
Deception Valley, Sunday Pan and long stretches on the road.
Deception Valley, Sunday Pan and Passarge Valley sit in the part of the reserve visited by many travellers. Further south lies Pipers Pan.
More wildlife is seen in the north. Kalahari lions, brown hyenas, cheetahs, leopards, gemsbok, giraffes and springbok live in the reserve. During the green season, elephants can also occur in the northern section near the Kuke Fence.
Deception Valley is also known for its tree islands. One of them, not far from the Kori campsites, became the base of Mark and Delia Owens in the 1970s while they studied animals including lions and brown hyenas.
Camping with very little between you and the Kalahari.
A route through Central Kalahari Game Reserve can run from Tsau Gate in the west to Matswere Gate in the east. Along the way, you can camp at Motopi, Passarge and Kori.
Facilities are basic. That is part of the way you travel here: independently, in a 4x4, with long stretches between pans, valleys and campsites.
What you can see and visit in Central Kalahari Game Reserve:
- Deception Valley
- Sunday Pan
- Passarge Valley
- Pipers Pan
- Motopi
- Leopard Pan
Self-drive trips in the region
Namibia, Botswana and Victoria Falls self-drive
