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Boteti River - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
This morning after breakfast we prepared our car and left, we made a last turn in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and then we took the road leading to the Matswere Gate, the same from where we entered two days ago.
We have to get to the gate to sign the exit by 11:00 am, regardless of the time when one came on arrival.
We arrive in perfect time, sign the register and put the pin on the sighting table; yesterday at the Motopi we saw a bunch of lions: a male and a female flocking and, far beyond, there were two other females with two wonderful puppies.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
We spent two days at the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and, while we ran through its sandy tracks or camped in designated pitches, we made some memorable meetings.
Most people who meet here, who do self-drive and camping, are South African, usually lovers of wild nature and endless spaces; they told us that, according to them, there are so many people in South Africa in the national parks and reserves that they prefer to come to Botswana where there are few people and the parks and reserves are uncontaminated.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
In the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, or CKGR, there are very few lodges, most of them are just outside the reserve boundary; most visitors that come here usually camp.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve: Gemsbok - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
Safari, or game drive as they commonly call it in Southern Africa, intended as animal sighting, is not the main reason for visiting the Central Kalahari Game Reserve; the main reason why you come here is to live the experience of being in one of the few unspoiled areas of the African continent.
Central Kalahari Game Reserve - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, or as it is commonly called CKGR, (link) is immense 52.800 sq km and we only visit part of the portion located in the Northern area.
The northern part is the most visited because it is where you are more likely to spot the animals, although it is not a park where sightings are easy and frequent; also some species of animals are missing, such as elephants and buffaloes, or at least this report the guides, although some male elephants may decide to stay in these lands after the rainy season has ended.
Central Kalahari: Matswere Gate - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
This morning we leave at dawn, we greet the Planet Baobab of Gweta, when we pass here we will definitely return because it was very good and we enjoyed the atmosphere.
We arrive at the A3, the main road, and turn left in the direction of Maun; behind us there is an amazing dawn, we admire it from the rearview mirrors.
Nxai Pan: Baines Baobab - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
This morning we woke up at 6:00 am, out it is still dark, we dress and have breakfast on our coffee table, located next to the car and under a straw roof; we are at the Planet Baobab near Gweta and the camping here has many comforts.
The air, as always, is sparkling and drinking a nice hot coffee in our metal cups is just what it takes to get you starting the day well.
Planet Baobab - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
We stop for the night near Gweta at the Planet Baobab, a legend and a landmark for the camper drivers, and for all the travelers in general, who pass through the Botswana tracks.
It is 7 km East of Gweta and near the gate of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and 70 km from the gateway to the Nxai Pan National Park where the Baobabs of Baines are located; it is in a strategic position to visit both parks and the staff arranges off-road excursions and a quad.
Makgadikgadi Pans - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
Early this morning, we admire a spectacularly warm dawn that only Africa can give, we have breakfast and then we greet our British neighbors living in South Africa and we go; today we go on the track that from Kubu, or Lekhubu, Island leads up to A3, the road connecting Maun to Francistown.
Kubu Island - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi
This morning we got up at 7am, here it gets colder in the morning and so we had breakfast in relax on our table surrounded by baobabs; then we closed the car and went to place ourselves in a better pitch for today, with the view on the Makgadikgadi Pans.