Shared with Nambia and South Africa, the world´s second largest desert actually covers much of Botswana, and includes the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the Khutse Game Park, and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Visitors can go on safari to see lions, cheetahs, hyenas, springbok, gemsbok, and meerkats, as well as visiting communities of the San people (also known as Bushmen), still largely hunter-gatherers who are the oldest surviving culture of this region, dating back some 20,000 years. Additionally, near the town of Shakawe at the desert´s northwestern edge, about two hours from Maun (but up to 16 from Gaborone), is the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site Tsodilo Hills. It´s home to more than 4,500 rock paintings created by the San (as well as later Bantu). One of the highest concentrations of rock art in the world, it´s been dubbed the "Louvre of the Desert." The gateway to the Kalahari, the town of Ghanzi (pop. 19,000), is also considered the hub of Botswana´s cattle industry, and lies just over eight hours from Gaborone and 3½ from Maun.
Read more in my post 5 Botswana Bucket-listers.
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