Central Kalahari Tour, Botswana 2008.

The rainy season in Southern Africa is generally not considered the best time for game watching in Botswana. I say generally, because there is one place, which, at the end of the rainy season becomes a paradise of grazing herbivores and the predators that follow them. C4 Images and Safaris follow all wildlife trends and we were in the Central Kalahar iin March to capture it in all its summer glory.

For most part, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), the size of Texas,is acacia thorn shrub. However, a dry, ancient riverbed has caused shallow depressions that cut a swath through the thorn scrub. These are now called valleys, and the old lake areas, pans. The most famous of these is Deception Pan. So called due to the fact that it has deceived man, bird and animal alike with its mirages of water. Normally I take such naming conventions with a pinch of salt, but we did see black heron (Egret) and little egret there one afternoon- hundreds of kilometres from floodwater, their preferred habitat. So the pan was living up to its name!
For nine months of the year, these valleys and pans are short dry grasslands, supporting token species of animals and a few lion and cheetah. Then in November the clouds start to build and by December the first rains fall. The dry, open valleys turn into fresh, sweet grass, which in turn attracts the herbivores out from the thorn scrub. By the end of the rainy season in March, the grass is blowing in the wind and herds of animals cover the plains. It is a beautifully classic scene- and one that is perfect for photography.

To witness a full roar from a lion walking past your open vehicle is something you don't forget soon. Shivers come to mind!	Lions, First light, back lighting, action! Almost to a movie script, these cubs played for us.	A special of the Kalahari, ground squirrels provide for almost unending photo opportunities.

Thus it was that our tour came to see the special sights of the Kalahari. Not just herds of animals, but also interaction and predation which unfold on a daily basis. The CKGR is known for its ground squirrels,Pale chanting goshawks, Springbuck, and other dry adapted animals. But it is most famous for its large black maned lions. And probably the most sighting was two male lions that were having a tiff about some one or something. They were running and chasing each other through the grasslands, roaring right next to our vehicles and chasing animals in every direction. I wonder what would have happened if the one got caught? The fight would have been a sight to behold!
Of course the cameras were working overtime.
That same evening, turning into our mobile tented campsite, we found 8lions lying in the warm sand; a nice reception committee. The next morning we found the same lions on the open valley plains. As the sun rose, the younger teenage cubs began a game of play and pounce. Other than entertaining us with their antics, they also provided us with some perfectly lit action photographs. It was photographic bliss.

A classic summer scene. Hundreds of Springbuck grazing on the plains with towering storm clouds building in the afternoon.	Attracted to the sweet grass, giraffe, with slate-grey clouds behind pose in deception valley.	Evening storms brings lightning, thunder and photos.

Another highlight of the central Kalahari in March is the weather. Afternoon clouds build up and thunderstorms are the norm. Either the sun peeps out and lights the slate grey clouds as a stunning backdrop,or the clouds rush over and lightning and thunder strike. Which ever one, both provide excellent and exciting light for the cameras. We spent a few happy hours trying to capture lightning images in the evenings! With varied results I might add.

By the time we left, driving the long road back to the gate, the tour was a happy group of satisfied photographers. CKGR may not be the easiest place to get to (you cant fly in and there is no permanent structure in the park, hence camping is the only option). But it offers remoteness not often felt in other parts of Southern Africa, and it offers game viewing that no other place can rival at that time of year. Well actually, it is just a great phenomenon of nature that we have the pleasure of enjoying and photographing.