National park · Botswana
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Enter Central Kalahari Game Reserve: buy a permit (≈ BWP 150–250) at Gaborone or Maun, drive 4WD to a gate, and plan a 2‑day self‑drive hike in May–Oct; avoid the rainy season (Dec–Mar).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
52,800 km² (20,386 sq mi)20,386 sq mi (52,800 km²)
approximate
Established
1961
Best months
Dec–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Botswana ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Botswana government sources before booking; most Western passports are visa-exempt, others use the Botswana e-visa.
- Botswana ↗Light-aircraft transfers limit luggage by weight and require soft bags; confirm the limit with your camp or operator before packing.
- Botswana ↗Self-driving in Moremi, Chobe and the Central Kalahari needs a properly equipped 4x4, booked campsites and experience in sand driving.
- Kalahari ↗Kgalagadi and Central Kalahari are self-drive parks; a 4x4 with high clearance is needed on sand tracks, and you carry your own water and fuel.
- Kalahari ↗Carry at least 5 litres of water per person per day in the Kalahari; there is no drinking water at most campsites.
- Kalahari ↗Central Kalahari Game Reserve charges park entry and camping fees per person per night; book through the Department of Wildlife and National Parks — check current rates.
At a glance
- Country
- Botswana
- Area
- 52,800 km² (20,386 sq mi)20,386 sq mi (52,800 km²)
- ≈ 52,800 km², larger than the Netherlands (check).
- Established
- 1961
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Maun
Central Kalahari Game Reserve spans over 52,800 km² of desert, offering remote wildlife encounters with lions, elephants and wild dogs; access requires a gate permit and 4WD, with limited facilities and few visitors.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1961.
Size and age
52,800 km² (20,386 sq mi)20,386 sq mi (52,800 km²) · national park since 1961
≈ 52,800 km², larger than the Netherlands (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Maun.
Why go
- Vast desert landscape with large mammals including lions, elephants and wild dogs.
- Remote solitude and low visitor numbers compared with other Botswana parks.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, good wildlife viewing
- FebDry, good wildlife viewing
- MarDry, good wildlife viewing
- AprDry, good wildlife viewing
- MayStart of rains, some tracks muddy
- JunRainy season begins, tracks can be difficult
- JulRainy, many tracks impassable
- AugRainy, many tracks impassable
- SepRainy, many tracks impassable
- OctRain eases, better access
- NovDry, good wildlife
- DecDry, good wildlife
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lion, elephant, African wild dog, cheetah, giraffeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds of prey, sandgrouseMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Gaborone
Fly to Maun (≈ 1.5 h) then 4WD drive 300 km (186 mi) to the nearest gate (Matswere or Ntwetwe).Fly to Maun (≈ 1.5 h) then 4WD drive 186 mi (300 km) to the nearest gate (Matswere or Ntwetwe).
≈ 5 h total
Open the page →
From Maun
Hire a 4WD vehicle; drive north‑west to Matswere Gate (≈ 300 km (186 mi)).Hire a 4WD vehicle; drive north‑west to Matswere Gate (≈ 186 mi (300 km)).
≈ 4–5 h
Open the page →
From Kasane
Fly to Maun then follow above route.
≈ 6 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Matswere Gate | Main western entrance, parking and permit office. | 4WD required. |
| Deception Valley | Popular wildlife viewing area with waterholes. | Self‑drive with permit; guided walks optional. |
| Tau Pan Camp area | Luxury lodge and nearby camping sites. | Permit required; reservations recommended. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, centred on Matswere Gate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park permit (gate entry) | BWP 150–250 | person | Purchase in Gaborone or Maun; price varies by gate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Gate permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Permits
- All vehicles must display a valid gate permit; no entry without.
- Guides
- Required for night walks and off‑track routes.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites; open fires prohibited.
- Vehicle
- 4WD with high clearance mandatory; no standard cars.
- Wildlife interaction
- Do not approach or feed animals; keep distance of at least 20 m.
Where to stay
In the park
Tau Pan Camp
Lodge with rooms, pool and showers; book early.
Near the park
Matswere Gate campsites
Basic bush campsites; bring own gear.
Safety
Vehicle breakdown high
Heat and dehydration medium
Wild animal encounters medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate access requires 4WD; not suitable for limited mobility.
- Designated campsites have basic facilities; no wheelchair access.
Visiting lightly
- Use only official permits; avoid unofficial gate entries.
- Stay at accredited lodges that follow wildlife-friendly practices.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Central Kalahari Game Reserve?
A gate permit costs about BWP 150–250 per person; buy it in Gaborone or Maun before heading to the reserve.
What are the best hikes in Central Kalahari Game Reserve?
Self‑drive to Deception Valley (1–2 days) and a guided night walk from Tau Pan Camp are the most popular routes.
When is the best time to visit Central Kalahari Game Reserve?
The dry season (January–April) offers the best wildlife viewing and road conditions; May–October is also possible but tracks may be muddy.
Do I need a guide for any activities?
Guides are required for night walks and any off‑track routes; day drives can be done independently with a permit.
Are there any accommodation options inside the reserve?
Yes – Tau Pan Camp (luxury lodge) and basic bush campsites near Matswere Gate; both require a permit.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Central Kalahari Game Reserve
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