Most of the scenery en-route to CKGR is cattle country and dry savannah bush. After approx 5 hours the vegetation changes and small dry pans (open areas) appear and at one stage the land falls gradually away to Deception Valley. The valleys in the Kalahari are extinct river valleys that occurred millions of years ago and are now covered in short dry grass. After a little rainfall the grass turns green offering the wildlife much needed nutrition after a harsh dry winter. Most of the antelope species converge in the river valleys in search of this nutrition and also to give birth to their young. This is a purely natural wilderness with little human affect and has stayed in this condition for hundreds of years. The CKGR is known as a desert as 99% of the year there is a lack of surface water. The animals survive by getting moisture from early morning dew and from the plants they eat. The reserve is also the ancient home of the “San” or Kalahari Bushmen.

The CKGR has enormous horizons and many kilometres of seemingly endless grass plains. As the antelope converge in the valleys so the predators follow. CKGR has good populations of the famous “Kalahari lions“ and is a very good place to see Cheetah and Brown Hyena if you are very lucky. To get the best experience in the Kalahari it is advisable to leave the camp as early as 5.30 am as most of the fauna is active early and then retire to the shade in the midday heat to avoid excessive water loss. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best time to photograph this amazing landscape.

To get a better idea of this unique ecosystem we recommend you read “Cry of the Kalahari” by Mark and Delia Owens.