Central Kalahari Game Reserve

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, CKGR, as it is commonly referred to and know as, is just under 53 square kilometers. The reserve is larger than Denmark, Switzerland, Lesotho and Swaziland, and was established in 1961. The CKGR is also the second largest game reserve in the world and is situated right in the center of Botswana. This particular reserve is characterized by vast open plains, salt pans and ancient riverbeds. Another significant, and perhaps the most noteworthy highlight of the CKGR are that the first inhabitants who resided there foe thousands of years and are known as the Bushman Tribe – also referred to as Basarwa or San. They were the original nomadic hunters and gatherers. Their lifestyle transformed over the years and as the times progressed, they are now residing in settlements.

Notable residents, Mark and Delia Owens, spent several years in the Deception Valley area of the park, undertaking research, mainly focused on the brown hyena. There were visitors to the area prior to the attention brought on by the  Owens’ book, “Cry of the Kalahari,” however, avid readers of the book generated an increased interest to the area, which is still true even today.

This area of the Central Kalari is now simply referred to as Deception. The name “Deception” comes from a pan with a dry surface, of which sometimes appears to be convincingly full of water until you get right to the edge.

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