Kalahari

The name Kalahari is derived from the Tswana word Kgalagadi, meaning "the great thirst".

Covering an area of some 260 000 square kilometers, the Kalahari Desert is extremely large, as it occupies central and south-western Botswana, parts of west central South Africa and eastern Namibia. It is also part of a large sand basin that stretches into Angola and Zambia in the north, through Botswana into Zimbabwe in the east, south to the Orange River in South Africa, and west to the highlands of Namibia. The basin encompasses an extraordinary 930 000 square kilometers, and is estimated to have been formed some 60 million years ago, at the time when Africa became a continent.

In the millions of years that followed, the area of the Kalahari basin became a super lake, which gradually dried out and filled up with windblown sand, debris and fossils.

Today the Kalahari Desert is perhaps not the classic image of sand dunes, particularly in Botswana where there is grass, trees and scrub.

The Kalahari itself is surprisingly diverse, as is not only includes the massive Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans National Park, but also the salt pans of the Makgadikgadi. These pans are extensive (some 10 000 square kilometers), and are the very real reminder of the extent of the ancient super lake, with clear evidence of a shoreline.

During the summer (November - March) when the seasonal rainfall arrives, the grass bordering the pans turns green, and herds of zebra, wildebeest, and other antelope species migrate in large numbers to this food source. The area is also alive with nesting flamingo, pelican, and duck, which thrive on the algae and minute crustaceans.

Traces of man's occupation of the Kalahari go back an estimated 25 000 years. Stone Age tools have been revealed by erosion. The Khoi and the San were the first modern inhabitants of Southern Africa, and their numerous rock paintings, tools and pottery can be found in the Tsodilo and Lepokole hills in the east as well as in other rocky parts of the Kalahari.

The San still live and follow their traditional life-style as hunter-gatherers in the Central Kalahari Reserve.

We look forward to showing you this remarkable area. We have our own 4 x 4, and will tailor make a trip to suit your requirements. For groups of more than four guests, we will use two vehicles as well as an accompanying 4 x 4 trailer.

Our service is personalised. Transfers to and from your B & B, Guesthouse, Lodge, Hotel or Airport can be arranged, should you not be staying with us at "Ebubeleni".

For more information please feel free to contact us at info@ebubeleni.com. We can facilitate your arrangements and take you on that Safari of a Lifetime.