Botswana: 5 Interesting Animals of the Kalahari

5 Interesting Animals of the Kalahari - Evolve Back, Botswana

The Kalahari Desert, with its dearth of water, and harsh and extreme temperatures in both summer and winter, is not the easiest of places to live in. Yet, it is home to a wide variety of wildlife species which have adapted to these arid conditions. Predators often quench their thirst with the liquid from their prey, while herbivores eat water-rich plants and leaves.

Here are five of our favourite and interesting animals that share this unique habitat with us.

5 Interesting Animals of the Kalahari

Brown Hyena

Also known as the ‘Strandwolf’, the Brown Hyena is one of the rarer species of hyena and is seldom seen. A Kalahari resident, they live in clans but usually forage and sleep alone. Brown Hyenas have a limited repertoire of vocal signals but possess a well-developed system of chemical communication through scent marking or pasting.

Black-backed Jackal

These hauntingly beautiful animals are monogamous and territorial. A black saddle intermixed with silvery hair extends from the shoulders to the base of the tail from which it gets its name. Fossil evidence has shown that they have occupied eastern and southern Africa for at least 2 to 3 million years.

Steenbok

One of our cutest and smallest antelopes, the Steenbok, is found widely in Southern Africa. Also known as the Dwarf antelope due to its small size, the Steenbok personifies the oft-held belief that bigger is not always better. The Steenbok uses his small size to great advantage – they lay low when they see a predator approach. This ensures that most predators end up not seeing them!

Greater Kudu

The Greater Kudu is one of the largest antelopes found in Africa and measures approx. five feet at the shoulder. While males usually live solitary lives, the females live in small groups of six to ten, comprising adult females and their offspring. While Greater Kudu can go for long periods without drinking they do become water-dependent when the vegetation turns dry.

Meerkats

One of Africa’s Shy Five they are found in sandy desert areas like the Kalahari. Members of the mongoose family, these sociable creatures form groups known as mobs or gangs, which a dominant male or female leads. They live in burrows consisting of extensive underground networks and huddle together in groups when they go to sleep. Meerkats can be seen standing in upright positions, like sentinels, as they look out for predators.

EVOLVE BACK GHAM DHAO LODGE

Evolve Back Gham Dhao Lodge is a boutique property situated on the northern border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana. Classically African in style with a relaxed, informal ambience, it is the perfect gateway to the Kalahari.

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Botswana: water levels in Moremi

The water levels in Moremi

You would by  now you would all be aware of the unusually high levels of water in and around among other places Moremi Game Reserve.
We have been monitoring the water levels in the key areas for some time now and it has prompted me to offer the following  advice as it will result in come itinerary changes until the game drive roads dry out …if they dry out.
My hope was that the flooding is shallow and that evaporation would take care of the problem and dry out some of the main roads.
However we need to plan for the fact that even a medium flood in the delta which would arrive in May / June could compound the problem ….and the result could be that some of the roads may never dry up this season.
 
Makgadikgadi and CKGR Nxai Pan and CKGR and dry and easily drivable.
The Makgadikgadi area around  Njuca Hills is easily drivable but further south towards the pans it’s still very wet ( but shallow ) and I trust this will dry out in the next month or two.
Moremi
There is significant water on the road between South Gate and 3rd Bridge and Xakanaxa and 3rd Bridge. There is a risk that this water stays for the season.
South Gate to Xakanaxa is easily drivable.
South Gate to Khwai is easily drivable.
There is deep water crossings between Khwai Guest House and the white concrete bridge - hindering progress to Savuti HOWEVER there is a perfectly drivable route from Khwai North gate towards Sankuyo Village to the east and then north to Mababe Village and Savuti.
There is a deep water crossing on the main road just south of Mababe Village but there is a short detour around it.
North of Khwai Village the main gravel road is dry to Savuti.

The main purpose of this notice is to inform you that most places are accessible BUT the game drive areas are restricted.

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