HariS

Did a drive out to Kgama Kgama pan too from Nxai. I didn't get the impression that too many people head there - I don't particularly recommend it and any animals out there are really skittish and run away. We saw zebras, Gemsbok and things. All in all, Nxai is a good change of pace camp and a place you need to visit.

Tau Pan camp - obviously, very close to the Tau Pan itself. The pan is stunning and has resident herds of Gemsbok, Springbok, some giraffe, wildebeest. They are all very relaxed and is a great location to just hang out....

The CKGR is all about the magic of the Kalahari, the great open spaces, the landscapes, the changing terrain, the Gemsbok herds, the Springboks, the ground squirrels, the pale chanting goshawks, the Kori bustards, the ostritches, the secretary birds......... Although the great predators are all present and ofcourse, game viewing is all luck of the draw - this wouldn't be the emphasis of a CKGR visit. I did see cheetah in Passarge valley (stunning and beautiful) and 3 young sub-adult Lions in Deception valley. Although not close to the road. Strict no-off road rules and adhered to by the Kwando guides. Resident guides are Hector who was out on leave (Lebala fame), Alberto (BB's brother) and Bilipe (spelling?). Great trackers too in Scooper and KG and Name.

This camp is also about long drives to get to other areas like Passarge, Deception Valley, the stunning Sunday Pan etc etc., In brief a stunning park, very beautiful, very picturesque and gives you an appreciation of the great outdoors (especially when I come from the second most populated country in the world).

I'm certainly not an expert on these areas, so will try my best to try and answer questions, if any.

Kavey

Hari, wow, I'm speechless about your sightings! Great to have your report on the camp and staff too, of course.

Tomsfries

I am surprised to hear that Hector´s a guide at Tau Pan. I know he´s originally from the "dry" botswanan area. As we asked him about him going to Tau or Nxai he refused and said he would like to stay in the "wet" (Lebala).
How about merkats @ Nxai or Tau?
Great sightings @ Kwara. Hari, I´m jealous.
Thomas

KIBOKO

Hi Hari,

Thanks so much for the post. I really enjoyed the report especially the wild dogs. What was your itinerary for the safari? I looked for it and could not find the post. Thanks

cj

HariS

Thanks, Kavey.

Thomas - I hear that he loves the challenge and apparently, the first of the Kwando guides to spot a leopard at Tau. We drove by the famous Hector tree a few times on the way to San Pan. Meerkats, I didn't be lucky enough......


Red Hartebeasts another new species for me.

What I did see were Bat Eared foxes and Caracal -

HariS

Thanks, CJ - just those 3 camps. Little Kwara, Nxai and Tau Pan.

Tomsfries

Caracal is not too bad

napamatt_2

Hari

Great report, another fantastic trip for you. The light dogs are interesting, from our photos we've noticed a pattern that the dogs we see at MM are much lighter than those we've seen in Botswana.

Matt

atravelynn

You've been wanting to see a caracal!

HariS

Thanks, Napamatt. I heard from some people who were at Little Vumbura, that there's a possibility that they've seen the light color dogs there too.....

Lynn - True. Perhaps, one day I'll get a decent Caracal pic.

twaffle

Great information Hari, Tau Pan sounds amazing.

I keep hearing about Deception Valley, and the more I hear the more I think I should like to go there.

HariS

Thanks, Twaffle. My favourite though, is Passarge valley. Stunning! It's a narrow valley and you can see clearly and really is very very beautiful - flat grasses with some short Acacia islands in between.

cw

Hari,

What an amazing trip you had. I'm going to reread your report. It's almost too much to visualize at once. Looking forward to seeing pictures.

CW

aby

Harry - about the dogs: it's like winning the lottery
aby

samcat

Great Report, Hari. Places I'd like to go.

What is CKGR?

Thanks.
Samcat

rickmck

CKGR = Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana

HariS

Thanks, all........

aowens

Hari - am loving reading this. Just got a last minute opportunity to go to Africa in May. I am going to Singita then to Botswana to Kwara and Tau Pan. Will be my first trip to the delta and CKGR. Also to any Kwando camps. Thanks to your report I have a good idea of what to expect. I am getting excited. Thanks for all the great info!!! Ann

walrus

Hello Hari,

What an exciting experience, you lived again on the Kwando concessions. I'm glad you emphasize Nxaï Pan and CKGR, which are not as spectacular as other places in Botswana, wildlife speaking, but are like you say "all about the magic of the Kalahari" and are, especially CKGR, still unspoiled or perhaps should I say not YET damaged.
A pity, you did not see the meerkats, a good reason to go back.
Concerning the lions picking springbocks at Nxaï Pan, it's a reality. In the dry season when the level of the water is below the edge of the water hole, the springbocks have to go down in the water to drink which is putting them in a uncomfortable position in that they are loosing the few seconds they need to escape, because they have to come out of the water and climb on the edge of the hole. The lions are getting them in the water or when they are just beginning their run on the ground.
Once again a great safari

Mike

HariS

Ann - Enjoy! Your safari.

Hi Mike,

Thanks. Yes, the Kwando concessions have always delivered something or the other, as you'll know. That's why I have to keep going back. Thanks for the info on Nxai in the dry season. Appreciate the info.

Regards,
Hari