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Larger than Denmark or Switzerland, and bigger than Lesotho
and Swaziland combined, the 52,800 square kilometre Central
Kalahari Game Reserve, which was set up in 1961, is the second
largest game reserve in the world. Situated right in the centre
of Botswana, this reserve is characterised by vast open plains,
saltpans and ancient riverbeds. Varying from sand dunes with
many species of trees and shrubs in the north, to flat bushveld
in the central area, the reserve is more heavily wooded in the
south, with mophane forests to the south and east. Rainfall
is sparse and sporadic and can vary from 170 to 700 millimetres
per year.
FORMATION OF THE KALAHARI
A Great part of Africa was uplifted and three major basins were
formed:Chad basin, Congo basin & Kalahari Basin. 40 million
years ago high areas were worn down by ice, water, heat and
wind and the Kalahari basin filled up with erosional debris
and windblown sands. The Kalahari is the largest continuous
stretch of sand in the world covering some 2500km from the Orange
River to the tropical forests of Zaire.
PROTRUDING ROCKS OF THE KALAHARI
Karoo sediments, covered by basaltic lavas underline most of
the Kalahari sands. Tectonic movements and uplifting of the
belt caused Tsodilo to protrude above the Kalahari basin. |
