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.
Nov 21, 2024
Friendly and super efficient service
Prompt and helpful response by your agents when I had to change my bookings. Friendly and super efficient service.
Nov 21, 2024
Heleen was great
Heleen was meticulous with our requirements and recomendations. We changed a number of times so it was a bit awkward but nothing too much for her. Its not easy booking from abroad but we received all the information we needed and actual booking and payment was simple
Nov 20, 2024
Outstanding Experience! (Cape Town, Sabi Sands, Vic Falls)
After attempting to book this trip myself (a couple coming from the US), I gave up and reached out to Sara from Safari.com. I told Sara what I was thinking and by the next day she had created several wonderful itineraries! Based on her suggestions, we personalized the itineraries and within 7 days I was booked and all set!! Sara was available at all times (before, during, and after the trip). We are currently heading home and we are so happy with all the bookings Sara created for us! Everything went flawlessly. Her 3rd parties for tours and transfers were perfect (always early, professional, knowledgeable, and kind). The hotel acknowledged our anniversary thanks to Sara. We stayed at the Victoria & Alfred hotel in Cape Town, then off to Dulini Moya in Sabi Sands, and finally Victoria Falls Island Treehouse in Zimbabwe. I highly recommend all of them. Tell Sara what you envision your experience to be and your budget and she will make it happen!! Her knowledge was so helpful in assisting us to choose the perfect itinerary. It was comforting that she kept in touch while we were traveling throughout Africa. I feel so lucky to have had Sara arrange this trip and will certainly request her expertise again in the future!! You won’t have to worry about anything because she is on top of it all. Do not hesitate!! Book with Sara from Safari.com!
Nov 19, 2024
A massive thank you to Anja
A massive thank you to Anja, she helped us with everything and super quick with responding on WhatsApp - really looking forward to the Safari 🙏🏼🙌🏼 great service thanks!
Nov 18, 2024
Shann was Wonderful!
Shann was fantastic and very helpful with booking a very last minute trip!
Nov 17, 2024
Mel made this very easy.
From our initial enquiry to booking the trip, Mel responded very quickly and provided several options allowing us to choose the right package for us. Looking forward to experiencing it now.
Nov 16, 2024
Planning has been made quick and easy…
Planning has been made quick and easy with Shann! We can’t wait to get to Africa!
Nov 15, 2024
Great service and knowledge
Great service and knowledge
Nov 15, 2024
Responsive
Responsive, knowledgeable, professional, patient, friendly and courteous, more than expected.