Packages

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

 Botswana
$2,460 / Person
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Overview

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) in Botswana is a vast, arid wilderness known for its fossil river valleys, seasonal pans, and unique Kalahari wildlife like oryx (gemsbok), springbok, red hartebeest, brown hyenas, and black-maned lions. Deception Valley, Passarge Valley (often spelled "Passarge"), and Sunday Pan are iconic spots in the northern CKGR, accessible via the Matswere Gate. This area is best explored on a self-drive 4x4 safari or guided tour, focusing on remote, unfenced campsites with basic facilities (long-drop toilets, bucket showers—no water or electricity). Game viewing peaks in the rainy season (November–March) when lush grasses draw herds, but dry-season visits (like July) offer pristine solitude and mirage illusions on the pans.

 

 

 

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Tour Overview

Availability

12/03/25 - 18/03/27

Duration

7 Days/ 8 Nights

Pickup Location

Airport avaiable

Included

  • Parks fee
  • Game Drive
  • Guide
  • Still Water
  • Food
  • Alchool
  • Accommodation
  • Camping Fee

Excluded

  • Flights Tickets
  • Airport Tax
  • Optional Activities
  • Travel Insurarance
  • All Laundry
  • Tellphone Call

Itenary

Day 1

  • Day 1: Arrival in Maun

    Morning/Afternoon

    Arrive at Maun International Airport. Transfer to your lodge or guesthouse

  • Activities

    Check in, relax, and attend a safari briefing with your guide or tour operator. Optional afternoon activity: scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.

  • Evening 18:00

    Dinner at the lodge, review itinerary, and prepare for early departure. Overnight in Maun.

Day 2

  • Day 2: Maun to Central Kalahari Game Reserve (Deception Valley)

    Morning: 06:00

    Early departure (around 6:00 AM) after breakfast. Drive to CKGR (~4-5 hours, ~200 km on tar and gravel roads). Packed lunch en route.

  • Afternoon 14:00

    Arrive at Deception Valley campsite or lodge (e.g., Deception Valley Lodge or Kalahari Plains Camp). Settle in and take a short afternoon game drive (~2-3 hours) to spot wildlife like oryx, springbok, or lions.

  • Evening: 1800

    Sundowner drinks, dinner at camp, and stargazing (CKGR’s skies are spectacular). Overnight in Deception Valley.

Day 3

  • Day 3: Full Day Game Drive in Deception Valley

    Morning

    Early start (5:30-6:00 AM) for a sunrise game drive. Explore the fossil riverbeds and grasslands, known for predators like cheetahs, leopards, and the Kalahari black-maned lion. Coffee/tea stop in the bush.

  • Afternoon:

    Return to camp for lunch and a rest during the heat (12:00-3:00 PM). Head out for a late afternoon drive, focusing on waterholes or pans where animals gather.

  • Evening: 18:00

    Dinner and storytelling around the campfire. Overnight in Deception Valley

Day 4

  • Day 4: Deception Valley to Passage Valley

    Morning: 06:00

    After breakfast, depart for Passage Valley (~2-3 hour drive within CKGR). Enjoy game viewing en route, as animals roam freely across the reserve.

  • Afternoon: 14:00

    Arrive at Passage Valley campsite or lodge. Short afternoon game drive to explore the area’s open plains and acacia woodlands, home to giraffes, wildebeest, and possibly wild dogs.

  • Evening: 18:00

    Dinner at camp, relax, and enjoy the remote wilderness. Overnight in Passage Valley.

Day 5

  • Day 5: Full Day Game Drive in Passage Valley

    Morning

    Early morning game drive (6:00 AM) to catch active wildlife, including antelopes and predators. Visit nearby pans or follow animal tracks with your guide.

  • Afternoon:

    14:00

    Lunch at camp, followed by a siesta or cultural talk about the San people (if offered by your lodge). Late afternoon drive to spot nocturnal animals starting to emerge.

  • Evening: 18:00

    Bush dinner (if arranged) or camp dinner. Overnight in Passage Valley.

Day 6

  • Day 6: Exploring Sunday Pan

    Morning: 06:00

    After breakfast, drive to Sunday Pan (~1-2 hours from Passage Valley). Morning game drive around the pan, a hotspot for herbivores and predators, especially in the dry season.

  • Afternoon: 14:00

    Picnic lunch near the pan, followed by relaxed exploration or birdwatching (over 200 bird species in CKGR, like kori bustards or secretarybirds).

  • Evening: 18:00

    Return to camp (either back in Passage Valley or a new site near Sunday Pan). Dinner and overnight.

Day 7

  • Day 7: Return to Maun

    Morning : 07:00

    Early breakfast, then depart CKGR for Maun (~5-6 hours). Optional game viewing stops en route if time allows.

  • Afternoon

    Arrive in Maun by midday. Check into a lodge for a quick refresh or head to the airport for departure. If time permits, visit a local market for souvenirs.

  • Evening

    Depart Maun or extend your stay for additional Okavango Delta experiences (e.g., mokoro canoe trips).

About Us

For over 15 years, we've been guiding travelers into the heart of Botswana's most pristine wilderness areas, where the rhythm of nature dictates each day and authentic adventure awaits around every corner.

Born from a deep love for Botswana's extraordinary landscapes and wildlife... Read More

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Contact Us

African Big5 Tours and Safari
Shashe Ward, Maun, Botswana
+267 73 255 421/ +267 73 388 823
africanbig5tours@gmail.com

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