 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
 |
Taste of Kalahari
Venture into the heart of Botswana’s desert wilderness on this 8-day birding and safari adventure through Khutse and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, before proceeding to Maun, the gateway to Okavango Delta. Explore vast pans, endless grasslands, and remote valleys while seeking out Kalahari specialties such as Burchell’s Sandgrouse, Kori Bustard, Ant-eating Chat, and Rufous-eared Warbler. Along the way, encounter iconic desert wildlife including oryx, giraffe, cheetah, and the legendary black-maned Kalahari lion. This journey combines exceptional birding with raw wilderness and can be fully customized to suit your birding or safari interests.
Suggested itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Gaborone OR Maun
Arrive in Gaborone or Maun, where you’ll meet your guide and enjoy an introductory briefing. Depending on arrival time, short birding excursions around the city may reveal species such as Southern Pied Babbler, Red-billed Quelea, and Black-chested
Prinia. Overnight in Gaborone/Maun.
Day 2 – Gaborone to Khutse Game Reserve OR Maun to Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Depart early for Khutse Game Reserve, the southern gateway to the Kalahari. En route, we’ll bird the dry savanna and acacia bushveld. Upon entering Khutse, expect to see Northern Black Korhaan, Kori Bustard, Sabota lark, and flocks of Burchell’s
Sandgrouse visiting pans in the late afternoon. Overnight camping inside Khutse.
Day 3 – Exploring Khutse Pans
A full day is dedicated to birding the open pans and grasslands of Khutse. These habitats are excellent for Double-banded Courser, Tawny Eagle, Lesser Kestrel (in season), and raptors like Pale Chanting Goshawk. Wildlife highlights may include oryx
(gemsbok), giraffe, and springbok. Overnight at Khutse.
Day 4 – Khutse to Central Kalahari Game Reserve (Deception Valley)
Journey deeper into the desert wilderness as we enter the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), one of the largest protected areas in Africa. On arrival at Deception Valley, birding opportunities include Ant-eating Chat, Chat Flycatcher, and Kalahari
Scrub Robin. The area is also renowned for predators such as cheetah and black-maned Kalahari lions. Overnight camping in Deception Valley.
Day 5 – Deception Valley and Surroundings
Spend the day exploring Deception Pan and surrounding valleys. Iconic Kalahari species include Kori Bustard, Secretarybird, Lanner Falcon, and Eastern Clapper Lark. Mammal encounters may include bat-eared fox, honey badger, and many
angulates within the area. Overnight in Deception Valley.
Day 6 – Further into the CKGR (Passarge or Leopard Pan)
Head further north into the CKGR, where the wilderness deepens. Birding may reveal Pygmy Falcon, Rufous-eared Warbler, and the striking, Crimson-breasted Shrike. Predators are more active here, with chances for spotted hyena, cheetah, and even the
rare brown hyena. Overnight at a wilderness campsite.
Day 7 – CKGR to Matswere Gate and to Maun
After a morning drive in the CKGR, we begin our journey back to Maun, breaking the trip near the Matswere Gate area. En route birding may add species such as Shaft-tailed Whydah, Scaly-feathered Finch, and Red-headed Finch. Bird alongside the
veterinary fence that we drive through all the way to Makalamabedi village along Boteti river.
Day 8 – Maun and Departure
On the final day,before departure (depend on the flight times) we will take a short drive along the Thamalakane river and search for the elusive riverain species including the bat hawk that normally hides in the canopy of tress along the river before departing Maun.
Puso Dimapo