Overview:

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the largest game reserve in Botswana. Covering over 12,000 square miles, it is one of Botswana's most important conservation areas, playing home to numerous species of wildlife, as well as the San Bushmen and other traditional inhabitants. Located in the middle of the Kalahari Desert in the north eastern part of the country, the reserve provides invaluable sanctuary for a wide array of wild animals such as lion, leopard, cheetah, brown hyena, wild dog, elephant, giraffe, zebra, springbok, blue wildebeest, kudu, eland, gemsbok, steenbok and many more. Bird species include secretary birds, bee-eaters, Francolin, sandgrouse, Bustard and many more. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve also provides an opportunity to witness and experience the traditional lifestyle of the San Bushmen who have lived in the area for many generations. Through a guided visit with a San Bushman tracker, visitors can explore the region's landscape and vegetation, as well as the Bushmen's primitive way of life. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Botswana
Prominent Features:

•The largest game reserve in the world, covering 52,800 sq km (20,400 sq mi). •A vast, sparsely populated wildlife sanctuary located in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. •Home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the endangered black-maned Kalahari lion and endemic species like the sociable weaver. •An area of natural beauty, with desert scenery including sand dunes, salt pans and grassy plains. •The best time to visit the reserve is between May and September, when the weather is cooler and vegetation is greener. •It is also a popular spot for birdwatching, with more than 200 species spotted in the reserve. •Accommodation is available on a self-catering basis in campsites or in a chalet in the Bushman village. •Guided tours are offered to visitors, allowing them to explore areas that are not easily accessible on their own. This national monument of Botswana portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) in Botswana was established in 1961 as a game reserve to protect the area’s wildlife, flora, and fauna. In 1966, it was designated as a wildlife sanctuary and then, in 1994, it was designated as the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR). The reserve covers over 50,000 km² and is considered one of Africa’s largest conservation areas, encompassing desert scrub, savannah, woodlands and grasslands. The wildlife in the reserve includes antelope, gemsboks, kudu, and springbok, along with cheetah, leopards, African Wild Cats, and honey badgers. There is a rich array of birdlife including ostriches, secretary birds, steppe eagles, and kites. The CKGR is a direct descendant of nature’s evolutionary process, and the area’s pristine environment supports many of the ancient species that originally moved into the region millions of years ago. In the late 1990s, the Gwi and Gana Bushmen tribes were removed from the reserve by the government of Botswana in a bid to prevent illegal hunting. This saw the Gwi and Gana men struggle physically and socially, leading to protests and lawsuits, which gained international attention. In 2006, the Bushmen won the right to live in the reserve when the government of Botswana dropped the eviction cases. The government of Botswana has continued to take steps to protect the CKGR, such as making a set of bye-laws aimed at protection. It has also partnered with Makwa Khaale Conservation Association and numerous other NGOs to further conserve this important area. As of today, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is a rich and diverse safe-spot for all its unique species. You must visit one of these historical places in Botswana on your Botswana tour

Interesting facts:

1. Central Kalahari is the second largest game reserve in the world, covering an area of 52,800 square kilometres. 2. It is the largest nature reserve of Botswana, and contains around 20,000 Bushmen or San tribespeople. 3. The reserve is home to wildlife including the African wild dog, cheetah, lion, giraffe, hyena, meerkats, elephant, cheetah, the rare brown hyena and the endangered black-maned Kalahari lion. 4. The waters of the Boteti and Ngotwane rivers are an essential source of life for the animals of the Central Kalahari, especially during drought-like conditions. 5. The reserve contains a wealth of surviving archaeological sites, which support the vision of traditional African cultures that have lived in the area since time immemorial. 6. Activities such as game drives, ecotourism, camping, cultural tours, and nature walks and hikes are all popular activities available at the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Visit one of the famous monuments of Botswana with your friends and family.