CENTRAL KALAHARI EXPLORATION

Winter 2009

SENTRAAL-KALAHARI ONTDEKKING

Winter 2009

"Deserts, with their vast open spaces, desolation and timeless solitude, leaves lasting impressions on most people after their first visit. It is perhaps the seductive contrast between the unrelenting silence and the vicious heat and dryness which produce such impressions. For all organisms, life in the desert is a challenge, for man, perhaps the greatest challenge is the solitude."

Day 1

We leave via the Groblers brug/ Martins drift border post (826 km.) to our first night at Nata Lodge. Real Botswana but not yet solitude

Day 2/3

Break camp and leave for the Nxai Pan National Park. This is the real Botswana solitude for the next two nights. Nxai pan consist mainly of a series of fossil pans, all of which are covered in short nutritious grasses. This makes for beautiful scenery with islands of Acacia trees to provide shady spots for animals to rest during the day, unique to Nxai Pan. Baines`s Baobabs is one of the highlights of this part and named after the famous explorer Thomas Baines, who painted them during a two-year journey between 1861 and 1863 from Namibia on route to Victoria falls. Baines noted the precise date 22 May 1862 and supposedly nothing altered since the year in which Baines painted them. Seven trees dominate a small island on the edge of the open, Kudiakam pan, even the fallen tree was a fallen tree then.

Day 4

Break camp and we cross the pans to Lekhubu island where we will spend one night at the community campsite. “Lekhubu” meaning ‘ridge’ in Setswana is an island of giant, pinkish-grey granite boulders and giant upside down trees (baobabs), creating an almost surrealistic moonscape scene as it juts out from the dazzling periphery of the white Sowa salt pan. A site you will never forget, especially when touched by the gentle pinkish-grey and purple hues of sunrise and sunset Lekhubu is about 1km in length and protrudes about 20m above the pan and is a national monument. To residents of the area The island is a sacred place and has great significance for traditional ceremonies and customs.

Day 5/6/7

Break camp and we depart for the Central Kalahari Game Reserve where we will spend the next three nights. The Kalahari is a magical place and not at all what it seems. Every nature lover should experience the Kalahari at least once. However, a trip through the Kalahari alone is not for the faint hearted and should only be done with a guide who are bush-wise and well equipped to be totally self-reliant in the outdoors.
During the dry season the landscape become very drib but areas with artificial waterholes such as Sunday pan, Passarge pan, Letiahau and Piper`s pan which provide very exciting game viewing.Deception Valley is a bird lover`s paradise, hosting a largest variety of birds of prey to the smallest of finches.

Day 8

Break camp and leave for Khama Rhino Sanctuary for our last night in Botswana under beautiful Manketti trees (okkerneut bome). For one night in luxury the option is available to stay in one of the chalets, for more info or a booking email krst@botsnet.bw

Day 9

This is the end of our Kalahari exploration experience, break camp and (164km ) to Martin`s Drift border post back to South Africa.

Costs

Please enquire about our tariffs for this expedition.

Included:

• All park entry fees

• All camping fees

• All vehicle entries

• Fully equipped recovery vehicle

• FGASA & DEAT registered guide

• Level 2 First aid personnel

• Sunset boat cruises on the Chobe

Excluded:

• 3rd party insurance
• Vehicle 3rd parties
• Ferry fees
• Road tax
• Activities a Victoria Falls
• Personal purchases
• Camping equipment
• Fuel, Food and Beverages

Bookings & Enquiries

• Fanie van Wyk +27- 83- 442- 1502

• Facsimile + 27- 12- 361- 3782

• E-mail  info@africaunexplored.co.za