The Kalahari Desert

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the second largest game sanctuary in the world. It covers an area of 52,800 square kilometres. This region of vast open plains, saltpans and ancient riverbeds is home to large herds of springbok, gemsbok, blue wildebeest, hartebeest and the largest of all antelope, the eland.

Despite its aridity, the Kalahari supports a variety of fauna and flora. The native flora includes acacia trees and many other herbs and grasses. Some of the areas within the Kalahari are seasonal wetlands, such as the Makgadikgadi Pans of Botswana. Nature also protects itself because game is most plentiful after the rains when the tracks and trails across the desert are wet and treacherous, deterring the tourists. In the first few months of the year the rains attract thousands of springbok, gemsbok and wildebeest followed by lions and cheetah.