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Getting To Central Kalahari
Central Kalahari
Getting To
Lying just south of the town of Maun, Getting To Central Kalahari is a fairly simple task. The most common way to access the reserve is by flying into Maun Airport (MUB). And, from there you can either rent a taxi or car or book a private charter flight to reach your accommodation.
For your seamless convenience, below we have assembled different ways of Getting to Central Kalahari and the nearby airports that you can use to access the reserve. And bask in the expansive surroundings in this undiscovered remote gem while on Botswana Safari Tours.
Central Kalahari Location
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is located in central Botswana and is part of the Kalahari Basin, one of the largest stretches of sand in the world. The Reserve covers almost 10 per cent of Botswana’s total land area, which makes Central Kalahari the second-largest game reserve on our entire planet.
Central Kalahari is closest to the town of Maun and the subsequent Maun Airport (MUB). You can use Maun as the primary access point for Getting to Central Kalahari as there are regularly scheduled flights for international travellers every day.
How to get to Central Kalahari from all the nearby Airports?
When asking the question of How to Get To Central Kalahari, the best way is certainly by knowing all the nearby access points, particularly all nearby airports.
Below is an in-depth overview of the 5 nearest airports to Central Kalahari along with different ways to get to the Reserve from these airports.
|
NAME OF THE AIRPORT |
DISTANCE FROM THE RESERVE |
OPTIONS FOR GETTING FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE RESERVE |
400 km. |
- You can either rent a car or hire a taxi. The drive takes about 4 hours and the roads are in good condition - Also, several bus companies operate from Gaborone to Central Kalahari. The buses leave from the main bus station in Gaborone and take about 6 hours to get to Central Kalahari. |
|---|---|---|
|
Maun Airport (MUB) |
540 km. |
- You can either rent a car or hire a taxi. The drive takes about 8 hours and the roads can be rough, so it is recommended that you hire a 4x4 vehicle. - Moreover, several airlines operate flights from Maun to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The flights take about 1 hour and are operated by small planes that can land on the dirt runways in the Kalahari |
|
Kasane Airport (BBK) |
900 km. |
- By renting a taxi or car, the driving time will be around 14 hours. - By Private charters |
|
Francistown Airport (FRW) |
500 km. |
- By car or taxi: 8 hrs. - The buses leave from the main bus station in Francistown and take about 10 hours to get to Central Kalahari. |
|
Ghanzi Airport (GNZ) |
180 km. |
- By renting a car or taxi, and by bus. |
Falcon’s Insight – We highly advise flying directly to Maun Airport (MUB) as both domestic and international flights operate here every day. Furthermore, there are convenient and quick road and airport transfer facilities according to the Central Kalahari Safari Packages you have chosen.
Getting to Central Kalahari by Air
The easiest and most convenient way for Getting to Central Kalahari is by air. Two airports serve Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
The first is Maun International Airport, which is the largest airport in Botswana and is located about 540 km from the park. The second is Gaborone International Airport, which is located about 400 km from the park. From either airport, visitors can connect to smaller charter planes that will take them directly to the reserve.
Several airlines operate regular flights to Maun International Airport and Gaborone International Airport. These include Air Botswana, South African Airways, and British Airways.
|
NAME OF THE AIRPORT |
DISTANCE FROM THE RESERVE |
AIRLINES |
CHARTER AIRLINES |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kasane Airport |
800 km |
Air Botswana, South African Airways |
Safari Air, Wilderness Air, Sefofane Air |
|
Francistown Airport |
400 km |
Air Botswana |
Moremi Air, Mack Air |
|
Nxamaseri Airstrip |
90 km |
NIL |
Moremi Air, Mack Air |
Pro Suggestion – Keep in mind that the flights to Central Kalahari are dependent on weather conditions. Therefore, flights may be delayed or cancelled because of adverse weather conditions. So, make sure to double-check the airline schedules before departure.
Getting to Central Kalahari by Road
Visitors planning their Central Kalahari Safari will be glad to know that getting to the reserve by road is also a possibility. Even though the reserve is located in a remote area of Botswana, several routes are set up that allow access to the reserve. These include the following:
From Maun
Maun is a popular starting point for visitors exploring the Okavango Delta and other wildlife destinations in northern Botswana.
- To get to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve from Maun, visitors can drive south on the A3 road towards Ghanzi.
- The distance is approximately 250 km, and the journey can take around four hours depending on the condition of the road.
- You can also hire a 4x4 vehicle in Maun for a self-drive safari to the park.
From Gaborone
Gaborone is the capital city of Botswana and is located in the southern part of the country.
- To get to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve from Gaborone, visitors can drive west on the A1 road towards Kang.
- From Kang, take the A2 road towards Ghanzi, then connect to the A3 road towards the park.
- The distance is approximately 700 km, and the journey can take around eight hours depending on the condition of the road.
From Kasane
Kasane is a town located in northern Botswana, close to the borders of Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia.
- Getting to Central Kalahari from Kasane is fairly easy. Just drive south on the A33 road towards Nata.
- From Nata, visitors can take the A3 road towards Ghanzi, and then connect to the park.
- The distance is approximately 1000 km, and the journey can take around twelve hours depending on the condition of the road.
From Johannesburg
Johannesburg is a major city in South Africa, and visitors can take a road trip from Johannesburg to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
- The route takes visitors through the border town of Martin's Drift, where they will need to clear customs and immigration.
- From Martin's Drift, visitors can take the A1 road towards Palapye, then connect to the A14 road towards Rakops.
From Rakops, visitors can take the A3 road towards the park. The distance is approximately 1500 km, and the journey can take around fifteen hours depending on the condition of the road.
Falcon’s Ace Advice – When Getting to Central Kalahari, remember that some roads may be in poor condition and a 4x4 land cruiser is recommended for off-road driving. Moreover, plan the route and have a reliable GPS plus extra supplies.
The iconic gateway of Central Kalahari awaits your presence!
Getting to Central Kalahari is way easier than travellers think. It won’t at all matter if you’re travelling to the reserve by air or road, the journey offers admirable views of Botswana’s rich landscapes and diverse ecosystems. And with our personalized selection of Botswana Safari Packages, you can experience the best of the remote plains of the Kalahari in a way that you’ll cherish!
Central Kalahari
Getting to
Related Kalahari Travel Guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
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You can reach Central Kalahari by flying to Maun or Gaborone and then driving to the reserve. There are also guided safari tours that will include transportation to the reserve.
Driving to Central Kalahari can be safe as long as you follow the rules of the road and take the necessary precautions. It's recommended to have a 4x4 vehicle, plenty of water and supplies, and to avoid driving at night.
There are no airports within the Central Kalahari reserve. However, you can fly into the nearby town of Ghanzi and then take a drive to the reserve..
You may need a visa for Getting to Central Kalahari, depending on your country of origin. It's best to check with your local embassy or consulate to determine the visa requirements for your trip.
Yes, it is possible to drive yourself around Central Kalahari. However, it's recommended to have a 4x4 vehicle and to be experienced in driving in off-road conditions.
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