Kalahari Desert
Kalahari Desert
5
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Duration: More than 3 hours
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5.0
29 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
4
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Wetlander
State College1 contribution
I only spent two days at DeGraaff Grassland Safaris (Grassland Bushman Lodge), but it was special, and reasonably priced. Lodging consists of beautiful, spacious cottages of brick, tile, wood with thatched roofs. Food and drink were excellent. Trees around the cottages and the large meeting and dining area provide shade during mid-day. Mornings and evenings one can tour by 4WD vehicle or on foot, and see the abundant wildlife (lions and jackals, oryx and eland, kites and eagles to list but a few). Unique to Grasslands is the family's relationship with the San community, allowing a window into their knowledge of the desert plants and their cultural activities, through fascinating demonstrations. If you come to see the delta, make sure not to miss the desert, you'll be most pleased you did!
Written 24 February 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony H
Brisbane, Australia28 contributions
Dec 2011 • Family
An absolutely amazing trip. Spent four weeks doing a self drive from South Africa, through Kgalagadi Trans-frontier National Park, through the central Kalahari desert onto the Okavango swamps. Then through Moremi, Chobe and onto Victoria falls. Finally down the East of Botswana to the Limpopo. An incredible adventure- more game than you could imagine, spectacular sunsets, remarkable late afternoon thunderstorms, at times challenging terrain with unbelievably remote camping. Arranged to spend Christmas at a lodge namely: Tau Pan- couldn't fault it. Another wonderful break from the camping, was Stanley Safari lodge at the Falls in Zambia- a truly decadent experience! Just do it! Andy at "Drive Botswana" is a excellent starting point in planning a trip.
Written 11 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phyllis E
Gretna Green, United Kingdom143 contributions
Sept 2011 • Friends
We stayed at the Kalahari Game Lodge and it was just the most beautiful place imaginable. Each small bungalow, with its dome shaped thatch was superbly equipped, and again the food was out of this world. The game drive was interesting because it took us to a San people's resettlement village - a very sad place, since the government has insisted that the San, or as we know them in Europe, The Bushmen of the Kalahari, no longer live their thousands of years old lifestyle, but moved them into houses. It was a sobering thought and well worth seeing for myself what it means, as I had seen these wonderful people showing their way of life on a previous trip to Botswana, and what a huge loss it is to the world that they can no longer live their own traditional way. On a brighter note, watching Meercats and watching Ground Squirrels was like stepping into a TV wildlife show and every bit as entertaining. A very memorable visit all round.
Written 7 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stevee17
London, UK1,257 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
Ok was there back in 74 ish as a kid, deserts don't change too much. I spent around 3 nights there back then stayed near bushman settlement. They took us tracking leopard on foot, dug cool drinking water in buried ostrich eggs en route. We caught a snake too, they prepared it for eating, being about 9 I passed that opportunity. I recall making stick den with help, living wild, bonding with those amazing people even trying their clicking language and customs. Amazing memories, please visit if in Botswana you will not regret it.
Written 14 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stevee17
London, UK1,257 contributions
Nov 2014
My favourite desert of all time and I mean hot and sandy not a raspberry tart. I was here for several days and went trekking on foot with bushmen tracking leopard, snakes. We even ate snake, drank water from buried ostrich eggs on well worn hunting paths. I hope Botswana resists temptation to dig up the desert for diamonds from foreign pressure would be shame to lose this amazing place.
Written 6 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
y k
Aalst, Belgium333 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
We stayed at the CKGR (rooftop tent) at one of the deception valley campsites, we've been here before several years ago and found it quite rewarding for wildlife, although this time less luck, even when staying for a few hours next of one of the few waterholes.
We got appointed a campsite, but as last time, we only saw one other couple, so could (luckily) chose our site, as some had still some rubbish around, some ablutions were in bad shape, and seen it are long drops... Bucketshowers didn't work.. So, some work for the NP to bring it back in shape.
Is it worth going here, hmm, difficult, it's a boring drive to get to the gate and from there it takes you again 1 hour to get to the pans, If to go, I suggest to stay for a few days..
We got appointed a campsite, but as last time, we only saw one other couple, so could (luckily) chose our site, as some had still some rubbish around, some ablutions were in bad shape, and seen it are long drops... Bucketshowers didn't work.. So, some work for the NP to bring it back in shape.
Is it worth going here, hmm, difficult, it's a boring drive to get to the gate and from there it takes you again 1 hour to get to the pans, If to go, I suggest to stay for a few days..
Written 2 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron W
Houston, TX150 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
Over 10 days we travelled to 3 camps in the Okavango Delta, an area of 8,000 square km. photo opportunities and animal encounters were extraordinary. The experiences at each camp varied, from desert conditions to delta conditions. From watching a herd of herds of elephants taking mud baths, watching leopards in trees and then following them on their hunts, lions roaring in the evening just next to our Land Rover; zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, warthogs, hippos, baboons, birds... We were at the Wilderness Safari camps (Kalihari Plains, Xigera and Chitabe, traveling by 12 passenger planes between the camps. Our photo trip was arranged by Natural Habitats. Dave Luck was an exceptional expedition leader. Our trip had 6 travelers using two Land Rovers for each outing. Camp staffs were exceptionally friendly with fine food and some evening native singing. Each cabin had a large comfortable bed, shower, toilet, fan... From a photographic vantage point, the opportunities greatly surpassed my expectations.
Written 12 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maja T
Kreuzlingen, Switzerland6 contributions
Dec 2012 • Solo
Amazing Trip to a remote Area of Botswana in Dezember 2011. Camping under the stars in the wild, beeing kept awake by the calls of lions and hyenas at night. Saw loads of Kalahari Lions in mating season. Loads of Oryx arriving in the Reserve. A place not for the faint hearted but luckily we were well looked after by the team of African Adventure Safaris. Ant sharing his longtime and profound experience about wildlife and the bush with us and serving every evening after a long day of doing safari a great dinner cooked at the camp fire. Would do it again any time!
Written 13 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Renee B
Hamburg, NJ38 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
Located in the Central Kalahari Plains Reserve in Botswana, this concession stands alone. I wouldn’t think that such a remote site would be alive with so much wildlife. My husband and I were there towards the end of January, 2013.
The Kalahari Plains Camp is operated by the Wilderness Safaris tour company. We spent 3 nights here going on game drives each day. We saw Oryx, springbok, steenbok, cape fox, cheetah, elephants, black mane lions, goshawk, secretary bird and 1000s of migrating Marabou Stork, plus numerous bird species. The vast expanse of the plains is awesome to behold and teaming with wildlife. One morning, our guide took us to Deception Valley where researchers, Mark and Delia Owens were based for 7 years, studying predators. It was here where we took a break, stretched our legs and enjoyed the beauty of the surrounding acacia trees.
Our raised tent was spacious with hard wood floors and king sized bed. Bathroom was clean and spacious as well with plenty of room for my toiletries. We even had a wonderful private deck to enjoy the views of the Kalahari Plains during the midday or relax by the soaking pool. The service was excellent. I enjoyed the meals and the camaraderie of the other guests. You could charge your batteries for camera and cell phone, etc. at the main lodge. No internet. I didn’t miss it.
This Safari game trip was planned by an agent of Wilderness Safaris Company, Discover Africa located in Beachwood, OH, U.S. Wilderness Safaris is an African based company that does not do direct booking for U.S. clients. It has its own concessions in Botswana, fleet of planes that escorted us from one concession to another. We stayed at four sites, three in Botswana and one in Zambia. The entire operation is well organized.
My husband and I are retired and travel a great deal. I have always booked trips with group tours. This is the first time I booked a custom tour. I’m glad I did. We had all the comforts of being looked after as if on a group tour plus the enmities and service that comes with personalized attention of doing it our way. This is the best of two worlds.
The Kalahari Plains Camp is operated by the Wilderness Safaris tour company. We spent 3 nights here going on game drives each day. We saw Oryx, springbok, steenbok, cape fox, cheetah, elephants, black mane lions, goshawk, secretary bird and 1000s of migrating Marabou Stork, plus numerous bird species. The vast expanse of the plains is awesome to behold and teaming with wildlife. One morning, our guide took us to Deception Valley where researchers, Mark and Delia Owens were based for 7 years, studying predators. It was here where we took a break, stretched our legs and enjoyed the beauty of the surrounding acacia trees.
Our raised tent was spacious with hard wood floors and king sized bed. Bathroom was clean and spacious as well with plenty of room for my toiletries. We even had a wonderful private deck to enjoy the views of the Kalahari Plains during the midday or relax by the soaking pool. The service was excellent. I enjoyed the meals and the camaraderie of the other guests. You could charge your batteries for camera and cell phone, etc. at the main lodge. No internet. I didn’t miss it.
This Safari game trip was planned by an agent of Wilderness Safaris Company, Discover Africa located in Beachwood, OH, U.S. Wilderness Safaris is an African based company that does not do direct booking for U.S. clients. It has its own concessions in Botswana, fleet of planes that escorted us from one concession to another. We stayed at four sites, three in Botswana and one in Zambia. The entire operation is well organized.
My husband and I are retired and travel a great deal. I have always booked trips with group tours. This is the first time I booked a custom tour. I’m glad I did. We had all the comforts of being looked after as if on a group tour plus the enmities and service that comes with personalized attention of doing it our way. This is the best of two worlds.
Written 19 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Duncan
Brisbane, Australia1,054 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Amazing place with amazing wildlife. The Meerkats were a real highlight but just a great experience was had in temperatures above 40.
Written 20 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Planning to Visit Botswana in July. Visiting Chobe National Park for six nights and the Okavango Delta for six night. Is it worth visiting Kalahari Desert during this time for 2 to 3 nights?
Written 10 June 2019
Can anyone give info and feedback about a self drive safari through the Kalahari Desert. Been there for a couple of days but would like to spend about a week driving around it. Where can you camp? whats best to see?
Written 8 June 2019
Hot, but I can't see why not...
Written 14 October 2016
Hi, we are currently organising our 2 nights stay in the Kalahari (SA). How are the routes in the national park? Is it absolutely necessary to drive a 4x4? If yes, are there any options to hire those on a daily basis?
Written 10 June 2015
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