Explore the mysterious and compelling Kalahari Desert and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The desert area is home to the greatest species diversity in the world and host to Southern Africa's last great zebra & wildebeest migration.
Below are a few tour options and suggestions for a safari to the Kalahari. Need some advice? Our friendly safari experts are on standby to tailor a tour that suits your every need and will assist you with each step of your journey.
Traveller tip: During the rainy season, the two largest pans – Sowa to the east and Ntwetwe to the west – flood, during this time flamingo numbers can run into the tens – and sometimes – hundreds of thousands, and the spectacle can be completely overwhelming.
The best time to view game is during the drier winter months, during which, a high concentration of game gather around diminishing water holes. Winter is characterized by dry weather, endless blue skies, warm days and freezing nights.
September - October
The days begin to heat up from September to October, while the weather remains dry and the nights cold. These conditions are great for game-viewing.
December - January
Landscapes are transformed during the rainy season of December to early January. The Kalahari Awakens with new life (many antelope give birth during this time) and the emergence of greenery from the mid-summer rains, making this a truly astonishing time to visit (if you can stand a little rainfall).
An accessible park, that unlike the vast salt pans of the South, is a smaller area made up of a mixture of both salt pans and grasslands. In spite of being the smallest of all three parks in the Kalahari, it is home to a high concentration of diverse wildlife. Sightings of elephant, giraffe and jackals are pretty much guaranteed.
Must see: Baine’s Baobabs; a bundle of ancient baobabs jutting out of a salt pan island.
Being the giant of all three conservation areas; The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is a predator’s paradise owing to the abundance of wildlife that congregate around various waterholes.
Must see: Deception Valley where the luscious grasses attract a bounty of herbivores and their accompanying mammalian predators.
The largest salt pans on earth situated in North-East Botswana; the Makgadikgadi Pans are a rare and beautiful sight for any adventurer. Infinite horizons of blue sky and bare earth make for an other-worldly experience. The Park itself also contains grasslands that offer ample grazing to an abundance of wildlife.
Must see: Kubu Island - an island of granite - considered a sacred site by the indigenous people in the area, arguably one of the most incredible places on earth.
Jul 25, 2024
Prompt responses to our queries and…
Prompt responses to our queries and always able to accomodate our requests
Jul 25, 2024
Leigh-Ann was awesome
Leigh-Ann was awesome! She listened to my requests and got it all set! She got my desires and requests Booked and set for my trip.
Jul 25, 2024
Helpful service
Fast response from Keith and helful guidance
Jul 25, 2024
Nicole was so helpful!
Nicole was great to work with! Super responsive and was able to make all the changes requested to accommodate our trip. She answered all my questions, and I wouldn't hesitate to use her for Safari vacations in the future.
Jul 24, 2024
Outstanding and professional performance by Pascal John
Pascal John quickly proved his professionalism as well as his in-depth and experienced knowledge of South Africa safaris. He demonstrated the ability to rapidly understand what I was looking for out of a safari trip and how to make that happen. He added real value to the process with his connections to lodging reservations at various lodges and arranged for an itinerary that is not possible to accomplish by oneself on the internet alone. For example, he was able to negotiate away for me a single supplement. He added immediate value and quickly/painlessly everything came together. This includes booking flights, ground transport, lodging and wildlife drives. I can without reservation recommend working with Pascal John at Safari.com.
Jul 24, 2024
Candis was very patient and helpful
Candis was very patient and helpful. She worked with me on various pricepoints and dates of travel. We were abl to come to a great itin within a number of days.
Jul 24, 2024
Wonderful service and help from Tanya…
Wonderful service and help from Tanya who helped in making the booking.
Jul 23, 2024
It has been a pleasure to work with…
It has been a pleasure to work with your agent Leigh- Ann Croeser, she has been extremely helpful, responsive and if all your representatives are like her your company is in great shape!
Jul 23, 2024
Great service
Mel at Safari.com has been more than helpful helping us to choose the right Safari for our up and coming trip in November. She was very friendly, quick to respond and extremely knowledgeable. I’m sure we will be communicating more nearer our travel date. Thank you Mel!