Kalahari Desert
The great wilderness of the Kalahari Desert covers almost two thirds of Botswana. This is the traditional homeland of the famous San Bushmen said to be the oldest inhabitants in Africa. Their traditional religion is an animistic one; they fear the sun as a force that destroys all life and they worship the moon. The Bushmen have a remarkable understanding of their natural environment and survival skills that appear incredible to most westerners. Most of this area consists of grassland and acacia forests. This seemingly inhospitable terrain supports a diverse range of wildlife.
There are two main areas of interest for the wildlife tourist. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve and its neighbour the Khutse Game Reserve both will give you an in depth understanding of desert ecosystem and a chance to see springbok, hartebeest and kudu. There are hunting dogs here, both the spotted and the rare brown hyena, and several big cats - lion, leopard and even caracals. Deception Valley as immortalized in the Owen's book Cry of the Kalahari, is perhaps the most famous part of the region.
Contact one of the experts at Mahlatini to help you plan your trip of a lifetime to Botswana.