Central Kalahari Game Reserve

The 52,800 square kilometre Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the second largest game reserve in the world. Situated right in the centre of Botswana, this reserve is characterised by vast open plains, saltpans and ancient riverbeds. Varying from sand dunes with many species of trees and shrubs in the north, to flat bushveld in the central area, the reserve is more heavily wooded in the south, with mopane forests to the south and east. The main wildlife concentrations are to be found in the tourist areas in the northern half of this vast reserve.

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

The lesser-known Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is situated roughly halfway between Maun and Nata in northern Botswana. The Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans found in eastern Botswana are thought to be the largest saltpans in the world. The Makgadikgadi Pans covers nearly 12 000 square kilometres. When dry they look like endless, desolate, white plains shimmering in the harsh sun. Makgadikgadi, the name of which implies a vast open lifeless land, is however not always dry. The pans fill with water during the rains from mid-November and mostly retain their water into April or May. They are then transformed into great sheets of water, which attract a spectacular array of water-birds and trigger dramatic migrations of wildebeest and zebra.