The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) was established in 1961 by the British colonial powers as a sanctuary for the San as a place where they could practice their traditional hunter/gatherer lifestyle. More than 20 years later, it opened its gates to visitors; today, it’s a prime tourist destination in Botswana.

Covering an area of 52 800 km², this park takes up 9% of Botswana’s surface area and forms part of the Kalahari Basin.
After heavy rains, water gathers in the usually dry salt pans and the seemingly endless grasslands teem with large herds
of game: springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, giraffe, eland, and others. The CKGR is especially
renowned for its predator sightings, such as cheetahs, hyenas, and the famous black-maned Kalahari lions. In the dry season,
the game concentrates around the permanent waterholes. But the vast remoteness of this area is the CKGR’s
signature feature.

The remote south-eastern region is home to Gaghoo Diamond Mine, which has been under care and maintenance since 2017. During this time the owners, Gem Diamonds, were trying to sell it; at the time of writing the probability of closing the mine permanently was high. Happily, mining activities never spoilt the tranquility of the areas visited by tourists as the roads leading to the mine are private.

The park can be accessed via Matswere gate in the east, Tsau gate in the north, and Xade gate in the west. In the south,
the Khutse Game Reserve borders the CKGR, and as there are no fences between the two parks, the CKGR can
also be accessed via the Khutse entrance gate.

There are several camps throughout the park which feature large, rustic campsites; sites are generally well spaced from
their nearest neighbours. If you prefer peace and solitude, the CKGR is where you want to be. The high concentration of antelope in Deception Valley, Piper Pan and Sunday Pan make these the most frequented areas of the CKGR.

1 Apr-30 Sep: 06:30 to 18:30. 1 Oct-31 Mar: 05:30 to 19:00 (Opening times may change without notice, please confirm with the DWNP in Gaborone)

ACCOMMODATION & PARK FEES:
Big Foot Tours and African Reservations operate the majority of the park’s campsites with the remainder run by Botswana’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP). A number of upmarket lodges are also found in the park. Accommodation reservations and pre-payments are essential, but park entry fees can be paid at the gate on arrival (in cash, Botswana Pula only).

COSTS:
Visitors must pay a Park Entry fee and Vehicle entry fee and campsites must be booked in advance.

TOURIST INFO OFFICE:
Tourist Information Telephone number +267 39 71 405, is the reserve head offices. It is also the booking head office for the Kalahari Transfrontier Park. (Jan-2024)

DRIVING TIPS:
A good off-road vehicle is required to travel the two-spoor tracks in the CKGR.

It’s impossible to travel from the northern region of the park to Khutse Game Reserve in the south, in a single day.
The region is vast, roads are either muddy in the rainy season, or very sandy in the dry season, which makes for slow progress. Driving at night is strictly prohibited so overnighting at either Xade, Xaxa or Bape campsites en-route is required. If you arrive at a park entrance gate just before closing time, you won’t be allowed to enter and make the long trip to your campsite. You will be forced to spend the night at the park entrance gate.

If travelling here during December, sand will not be a problem for a vehicle like a Toyota Prado or similar, just deflate your tyres to approx 1.8 bar if loaded. Rain could be a problem during December though - there will be mud, so take care when you pass close to pans or have to cross them. Take appropriate recovery equipment in case. Travellers have reported deflating to 1.6 bar in April during the drier season.

Reportedly a traveller went here in April 2013, without any driving problems due to water or rain, as most of the water was absorbed by then. But take note that weather is very unpredictable now, and Botswana is now a more 'wet' country than it was 20 years ago. Often in the rainy season you might encounter a muddy patch or so, but no deep water crossings, bottomless bogs etc. - only surface mud in the CKGR. At the very worst you might get stuck for a while until you get extricated by a passing vehicle or manage yourself, but getting stuck is highly unlikely if you drive sensibly. Travellers have travelled the CKGR in January after days of torrential rain deep into an already very wet rainy season and had no hassles. (Mar-14).

FUEL:
No petrol, diesel or food supplies available in the reserve.

SAFETY:
Camps in the park aren’t fenced so it’s possible (and common) for predators and other game to enter the campsites. Look around for dangerous game before exiting your vehicle, and stay close to your campsite at all times if on foot. Unguided walks in the park are prohibited as these could have disastrous consequences should you encounter dangerous game. If predators enter your campsite at night, stay in your tent or vehicle, and enjoy this incredible experience until they leave. Don’t attempt to chase them away, as this may result in an attack (fight) rather than flight. Pack away all food at night, as this may attract scavengers such as hyena.

As there are no facilities, it’s recommended that inexperienced travellers visit the park in the company of a guide, or someone who’s an experienced overland traveller. Stay on the tracks at all times - driving off into the open veld is strictly prohibited.

USEFUL NUMBERS:
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) Gaborone: +267 39 714 05 or +267 31 807 74.

CAR REPAIRS:
For Motor Vehicle repairs workshop and service centre contact NSI (Pty) Ltd with office in Ghanzi on Cell: +267 72 941 774.

TOW-INs:
For breakdown and towing services contact: Desert King 24 Hrs Breakdown Service on +267 77 044 210.

WATER:
There’s no water inside the park and visitors must be totally self-sufficient when staying here due to the absence of facilities. Most campsites consist simply of a wooden shelter with concrete floor, bucket shower, and a surprisingly ‘unsmelly’ long drop chemical toilet. There’s no running water. Depending on the rainfall, borehole water may be available at the various entrance gates, but this isn’t guaranteed.

WOOD:
Firewood may not be collected in the park so stock up en-route. Visitors are requested to consider the environment, and limit the fires to cooking and small fires to socialize around. Avoid huge bonfires which burn unnecessary wood and run the risk of starting veld fires.

XADE TO PIPER PAN:
Driving from Xade to Piper Pan took a traveller about 6 hours in April 2010, as it was pouring with rain. The track can then get extremely muddy, and where there is no mud, it will be covered in water.
In the dry season it can take anywhere between 3 and 6 hours as it's a very bumpy and rough track.

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