Far off the beaten track, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the best area in the country for viewing Cheetah as well as the famous, and huge, black-maned Lions. The predator densities are excellent and leopard and wild dogs are also spotted frequently. Other species found include the Brown Hyena, Caracal, Honey Badger, Wildebeest, and Eland, Africa's largest antelope.

The Deception Valley area, made famous by Mark and Delia Owens' book "Cry of the Kalahari" is the first area encountered when entering the main area of the Central Kalahari. Here, huge herds of Gemsbok (Oryx) and Springbok can be seen, often with a cheetah or lion watching from the shade of trees on the fringes.

This area is best visited between March and June, however even during the rains, the transformation from dry desolate landscape to flowering green paradise is also a great time to go.