THE CENTRAL KALAHARI
& The San Bushmen -
The week before our Botswana/Victoria Falls mobile safari !
June 30 to July 8, 2023
We usually do an extension week after our Botswana safari, as most of the group falls in love with Africa and wants to see more. This coming year, we decided to do something really unique that I have not done for many years ~ go to the Central Kalahari Desert, and spend time with the San Bushmen! And, we'll be going the week before our longer expedition through northern Botswana to Victoria Falls.
The Kalahari is an area of 350,000 square miles, the second largest game reserve in the world ~ the size of France and Switzerland combined! Much of it lies in Botswana - see dark red area on map to the right. In some ways it is similar to the extension trip to Namibia we did a few years ago, but we won't need to travel so far to get there, or spend such long days in the vehicles traveling from place to place, as the Kalahari is so much more accessible in Botswana. And, we will see very different wildlife!
The Kalahari is an area of 350,000 square miles, the second largest game reserve in the world ~ the size of France and Switzerland combined! Much of it lies in Botswana - see dark red area on map to the right. In some ways it is similar to the extension trip to Namibia we did a few years ago, but we won't need to travel so far to get there, or spend such long days in the vehicles traveling from place to place, as the Kalahari is so much more accessible in Botswana. And, we will see very different wildlife!
The grasslands, red sand dunes, and fossilized river valleys surrounding exposed salt pans attract significant herds of migratory animals including zebra, blue wildebeest, eland (the largest antelope in the world), and springbok (the latter two we will not see further north.) Predators follow these migratory herds after the rains which fall January through April, but viewing these animals is equally extraordinary when we will be there in June as the permanent waterholes attract them.
The Central Kalahari is unique in the world for its huge black-maned lions (see photo above) believed to be the largest lions ~ and, it is renowned for its large number of cheetahs - more than any other area. And, of course, meerkats!
The Central Kalahari is unique in the world for its huge black-maned lions (see photo above) believed to be the largest lions ~ and, it is renowned for its large number of cheetahs - more than any other area. And, of course, meerkats!
We'll spend two nights in Maun, Botswana, at a safari lodge which is a 300 acre private island reserve on the edge of town, just 8 miles from the Maun airport.
We will relax there for two nights after our long journey to Africa. Our lodge is situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River under a canopy of trees, and we can walk on the private trails, use a bicycle, swim in the pool at the lodge, or go bird-watching with one of the lodge's guides. We often wake to the sound of my favorite bird, the great African Fish Eagle. Our first full day, we will go on a peaceful mokoro excursion - traditional canoe poled by our guide through the tranquil waterways nearby.
We will relax there for two nights after our long journey to Africa. Our lodge is situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River under a canopy of trees, and we can walk on the private trails, use a bicycle, swim in the pool at the lodge, or go bird-watching with one of the lodge's guides. We often wake to the sound of my favorite bird, the great African Fish Eagle. Our first full day, we will go on a peaceful mokoro excursion - traditional canoe poled by our guide through the tranquil waterways nearby.
The next morning, Peace and Disho will pick us up in their custom safari 4x4's and we'll drive to the Central Kalahari, made famous after the publication of researchers Mark & Delia Owens' book, "Cry of the Kalahari" in 1984. The book features their work with lions and brown hyena in Deception Valley (named for the illusion of vast blue water at certain times of the day.) We recommend this excellent read to whet your appetite! Bring it along with you to read, maybe while you're relaxing under an acacia tree!
Deception Valley is the course of an ancient river that once flowed in wetter times - thousands of years ago. The river may have been a tributary of a huge lake that once covered much of the central plateau, or may have been part of the lake at one time, but now it is a place of waving grass where herds of springbok and oryx (we will not see these magnificent creatures further north, either) gather.
Deception Valley is the course of an ancient river that once flowed in wetter times - thousands of years ago. The river may have been a tributary of a huge lake that once covered much of the central plateau, or may have been part of the lake at one time, but now it is a place of waving grass where herds of springbok and oryx (we will not see these magnificent creatures further north, either) gather.
We'll stay in our semi-luxury mobile camp there for four magical nights. The full moon will be above us one of those nights, creating an unforgettable experience in this vast silence with few sounds except for the occasional roar of a lion in the distance.
Our last night will be at a beautiful lodge in the desert where we'll have the incredible good fortune to learn more about the area, and the life of the San Bushmen directly from them, during that day.
Our last night will be at a beautiful lodge in the desert where we'll have the incredible good fortune to learn more about the area, and the life of the San Bushmen directly from them, during that day.
Often considered the first people on earth, the San were nomadic hunter-gatherers living in what is now South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia; the Central Kalahari is their ancestral home. Some years ago they were relocated out of the reserve, but after a lengthy legal battle, the courts found in favor of the San and some have moved back into the reserve.
The Nara-Speaking San tribe, whose language contains 37 different clicks, have lived in this remote Deception Valley area for over 20,000 years. Some of their descendants now work as guides in the area.
July 7th, we'll return to Maun and, the next day, meet the rest of our group who will be arriving for our northern Botswana and Victoria Falls adventure.
Space on this adventure is limited to 10 guests; this trip is to a remote place that is difficult to plan. For this reason, it is necessary to reserve your space with a nonrefundable deposit of $800. Balance due before April 1, 2023. To reserve your space, please contact me directly: timelessjourneys@gmail.com
Price: $3425 USD includes all lodging (double occupancy) on the dates indicated above. Most meals. Mokoro 1/2 day excursion. Ground transport from lodge to Central Kalahari Game Reserve and return to lodge. Guides 24/7.
Not included: airfare, tips, personal activities other than those mentioned.
**Please note: Full covid vaccinations have been required to enter Botswana, until just recently. Now, if you can supply proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival in Botswana, that is sufficient. Botswana was hit harder by AIDS than any other country in the world just 20 years ago, and it affected 1/4 of the population. There are just over 2 million people in the country, so it was devastating. Therefore, they are very cautious with covid.
The Nara-Speaking San tribe, whose language contains 37 different clicks, have lived in this remote Deception Valley area for over 20,000 years. Some of their descendants now work as guides in the area.
July 7th, we'll return to Maun and, the next day, meet the rest of our group who will be arriving for our northern Botswana and Victoria Falls adventure.
Space on this adventure is limited to 10 guests; this trip is to a remote place that is difficult to plan. For this reason, it is necessary to reserve your space with a nonrefundable deposit of $800. Balance due before April 1, 2023. To reserve your space, please contact me directly: timelessjourneys@gmail.com
Price: $3425 USD includes all lodging (double occupancy) on the dates indicated above. Most meals. Mokoro 1/2 day excursion. Ground transport from lodge to Central Kalahari Game Reserve and return to lodge. Guides 24/7.
Not included: airfare, tips, personal activities other than those mentioned.
**Please note: Full covid vaccinations have been required to enter Botswana, until just recently. Now, if you can supply proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival in Botswana, that is sufficient. Botswana was hit harder by AIDS than any other country in the world just 20 years ago, and it affected 1/4 of the population. There are just over 2 million people in the country, so it was devastating. Therefore, they are very cautious with covid.