Page 77 - Discover Botswana 2021

KGALAGADI
species found here include springbok, eland and hartebeest, but these are sadly noted to be in decline over the past 20 years – a concern that is being urgently addressed.
The park is characterised by a striking landscape of wide vistas, beautiful red sand dunes, camel thorn trees and many desert blooming flowers. It is an important refuge for a large bird of prey community, and from a cultural view point a significant heritage area for the Khomani- San. These are a people who belong to an ancient bushman tribe whose traditional lifestyle is gradually being eroded in the path of modern development. In a few remaining places like the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, they are able to maintain a degree of their cultural way of life in some small, protected areas.
The awe-inspiring black maned Kalahari lion, genetically no different from other Southern African lions, but with an undeniably formidable presence, stands out in this landscape, and portrays an image of almost
Facing Page: Leopards are known to have a varied diet and will literally try for anything that moves. Well almost anything. Here inquisitiveness is overridden by instinct however, a fatal bite from the Cobra would spell disaster for her.
Above Left: Solitary and on a mission down a game trail, a young Leopard starts out on a late afternoon hunt. What is on the menu? Anything from small rodents to medium size antelope could be her next meal.
Above Right: Meerkats are always a delightful sight across the dry Kalahari. Each adult individual in the group takes turns to be the sentinel, ever watchful for aerial predators that may threaten them.
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