Large herd of springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) grazing beneath a colourful sunset in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana.

    Large herd of springbok grazing across the open plains of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve at sunset, Botswana.

    ← Back to Central Kalahari

    Central Kalahari Game Reserve

    Landmark

    The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is one of Africa's largest protected wilderness areas, where vast grasslands, fossil river valleys and open pans create an extraordinary sense of space. Its remote landscapes and exceptional predator sightings make it one of Botswana's premier safari destinations.

    -22.19213, 23.81593

    See what's nearby on the map

    Gallery

    Large herd of springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) grazing beneath a colourful sunset in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana.

    Large herd of springbok grazing across the open plains of the Central Kalahari G…

    Two young lion cubs (Panthera leo) walking along a sandy track through long grass in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana.

    Two lion cubs exploring a vehicle track through the grasslands of the Central Ka…

    African elephants (Loxodonta africana) standing at a waterhole with game birds flying in front of the herd in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana.

    African elephants gathered at a waterhole as game birds fly past in the Central …

    Young female leopard (Panthera pardus) walking through long grass in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana.

    Young female leopard walking through the grasslands of the Central Kalahari Game…

    Adult gemsbok (Oryx gazella) walking through tall grass in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana.

    Adult gemsbok walking through the tall grasslands of the Central Kalahari Game R…

    Herd of African elephants drinking and standing around a muddy watering hole in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana.

    African elephants gathering at a watering hole in the Central Kalahari Game Rese…

    Herd of gemsbok (Oryx gazella) walking across the open plains of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana.

    Herd of gemsbok crossing the open grasslands of the Central Kalahari Game Reserv…

    Green chameleon perched on a thorny branch with a safari campsite in the background in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana.

    Chameleon resting on a thorny branch at a campsite in the Central Kalahari Game …

    Quick Facts

    Access

    Visitor Access

    0–5 min

    Elevation Gain

    5 m

    Best Light

    Sunrise
    Morning
    Golden Hour
    Sunset

    Low-angle light enhances the texture of the grasslands and fossil valleys, while summer storms create dramatic skies across the open wilderness.

    Why This Light

    Low-Angle Relief
    Softens Contrast
    Wide DR OK

    Season

    Seasonally Distinct

    The dry season offers open visibility and concentrated wildlife around remaining water sources, while summer rains transform the grasslands and attract migratory herbivores, predators and dramatic thunderclouds.

    Crowds

    Usually Quiet

    Restrictions

    4×4 Required
    Fee Common

    The reserve is accessed via remote sandy 4×4 tracks that require careful planning and sufficient fuel. Conditions vary seasonally, and many visitors travel with high-clearance vehicles or guided safari operators due to the reserve's size and isolation.

    Photography Notes

    The Central Kalahari Game Reserve offers an outstanding combination of wildlife and landscape photography. Telephoto lenses are ideal for predators and plains game, while wide-angle lenses capture the reserve's immense scale, open grasslands and expansive skies. Early morning and late afternoon provide the best wildlife activity and the most attractive light, while the remote setting also offers excellent opportunities for night sky photography.
    ← Back to Central KalahariView workshops in Central Kalahari