BRR7B: Central Kalahari + Bushman

Day 1

You will be met at Maun Airport and transferred to the small town of Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta.

Check into your hotel for overnight, with balance of day at leisure.

Day 2

Today transfer from Maun southwards to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

The Kalahari Desert is one of the world’s last unspoilt ecosystems and one of Africa’s greatest wilderness areas. In this land of far horizons examine some of the amazing succulent desert plants and game which have adapted to survive in such harsh conditions, before checking into your lodge in the late afternoon.

Days 3 & 4

Today explore the vast Kalahari Plains, setting off early each morning to take advantage of the best game viewing conditions of the day. Wildlife is surprisingly plentiful in the semi-desert conditions of these red sand dunes.

Of the many species of mammals and reptiles that have successfully adapted to the harsh desert conditions, the most famous is the black-maned lion. Other predators include leopard, cheetah and hyena. You should also see water independent antelope such as oryx, eland, springbok and blue wildebeest.

The rest of the morning can be spent relaxing at your lodge, reading or bird watching, before setting out again in the late afternoon for another game drive. You can hope to see the brown and spotted hyena, black-backed jackals, the curious meerkats, yellow mongoose, porcupines, honey badgers, bat-eared foxes, Cape foxes, African wild cats and many other interesting animals. Bird life is also prolific (260 different species - including over 20 raptors). In the evening relax and enjoy the wonderfully clear skies of the great Kalahari!

You will see some of Africa’s most unusual animals in the Kalahari and many of the “great cats” – lion, cheetah and leopard - but the vegetation does not support elephants, rhino or buffalo

Day 5

Today transfer to your Bushman lodge, situated in a private concession on the western side of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

Here you will be privileged to observe the lifestyle of the Bushman, including their hunting methods and how they gather food and make traditional fires.

Day 6

Today you have the unique privilege of observing the life and culture of the Kalahari Bushman.

See their amazing skills in "reading" the signs of the Bushveld and understand how they have survived for so many centuries in such a seemingly hostile environment. Even the youngest members of each family know how to distinguish between the myriad of tracks in the sand - telling them much about each animal's exact behaviour!

In the evening you will be entertained by traditional Bushman song and dance.

Day 7

Transfer overland this morning from your Bushman lodge through the great Kalahari to Maun.

Check into your lodge and enjoy the birds and water-based wildlife of the Okavango Delta area.

Day 8

Transfer to Maun Airport for your flight home.