Makgadikgadi and the Kalahari

Stretching across seven countries, the Kalahari is one of Africa’s most prominent features. Unlike a classic sand desert, it is dotted with trees and crossed with rivers. It is home to Botswana’s aboriginal inhabitants, the San. The wonder of the Kalahari lies first in its magnificent solitude, vast skies and silence. Turn 360 degrees and you will see the horizon stretching away in all directions

The Kalahari sands cover an enormous area of Africa, sands are blown from as far away as Asia to settle across the African continent. The name 'Kalahari' is most commonly used in reference to the Kalahari Desert, found across much of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Unlike the vast sand sea of the Sahara, the Kalahari is made up of a diverse mix of environments: ragged mountains, great rivers, open savannah, arid acacia bush and vast salt pans all come together under the blanket of 'The Kalahari'.

You may find it surprising to learn that the Kalahari is home to an extraordinary species diversity. Enormous bull elephants roam the expanses of the Kalahari, and the largest lions ever recorded, the Black-maned Kalahari Lions, are found here. Besides the large mammals, head to the Kalahari to interact with meerkats who den in the sands and hunt the scrub in search of scorpions.

The San people of the Kalahari are Africa's original inhabitants. Guests at camps in the Makgadikgadi area of Botswana have the opportunity to meet the San and learn more about their traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle. An incredible privilege, and an experience that will live long in the memory.