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.
Mar 19, 2024
Heleen is always prompt to assist me…
Heleen is always prompt to assist me with a booking!
Mar 19, 2024
Safari.com and Candis did a great job…
Safari.com and Candis did a great job creating the Safari our family had hoped for. Everything came off without any hitches- the flights , the transports and our safari. She even found us an extra night. Highly recommend their service.
Mar 19, 2024
Super helpful and responsive!
Super quick and easy to get our safari organized. Dolan was very responsive and was able to get us a great deal for a safari for our group. Highly recommend!
Mar 18, 2024
Extremely responsive and knowledgeable
Extremely responsive and knowledgeable. Absolutely recommend
Mar 18, 2024
Heleen Coetzee
I was amazed at Heleens personal touch and effort in seeing to my accomodation request and booking - her efficiency and coomunication with me keeping me updated all the while. i will definately be using her services again as soon as i am able to!
Mar 18, 2024
Excellent Service from Safari.com
I have used Safari.com on several occasions in the past several years and on each occasion Tanya Lomas has been extremely prompt, helpful and professional in her approach to customer service. I am happy to recommend them to anyone wishing to book a safari holiday in South Africa.
Mar 18, 2024
Dolan was prompt and fast in responding…
Dolan was prompt and fast in responding to my booking request and we appreciate it. Excited and looking forward to the trip!
Mar 17, 2024
Adventure of a Lifetime
As elderly, world travelers our best adventure ever was last year’s safari trip to Sabi Sabi & Cape Town South Africa planned by Dolan Sequera. Great experience working with Dolan. Immediate responses from my many, many questions. He arranged all lodging, inter airlines, and ground transportation! It was such a perfect experience that we are returning with our family this year and of course, Dolan has handled all our plans as well as our daughter’s. We couldn’t be happier with this company. Dolan is the best and we highly recommend him!
Mar 17, 2024
Quick replies to all my questions…
Quick replies to all my questions (unlike other enquiries I’ve made elsewhere about accommodation for the same holiday) & everything done & dusted very easily. Nice use of WhatsApp to get quick answers & email for the detail & the payment, very effective. More accommodation bookings should be like this. Very satisfied.👍🏻