DekarDekar at a Glance
Costs: Budget traveler: $45-70 per day - low local prices, community lodgings available.
Safety: Safe but remote - safe but remote; limited healthcare and long travel times.
Best Time: May-September (dry season) - dry season offers cooler days and clearer skies.
Why Visit Dekar?
Dekar lies deep in Botswana’s Ghanzi District and attracts visitors for classic Kalahari landscapes, expansive red sands and endless skies that make for extraordinary stargazing. Cultural encounters with San communities-traditional hunting demonstrations, storytelling and dance-offer insight into ancient desert lifeways, while guided drives reveal drought‑adapted wildlife and seasonal pans. It’s a place for people seeking remote desert solitude and hands-on cultural experiences.
Dekar Bucket List
Don't Miss
Kalahari sand scenery - Red Kalahari sands and sparse bush offering classic desert scenery and sunsets.
San cultural experience at Kuru - Community-run tours introduce San tracking, storytelling, and traditional hunting techniques.
Local livestock market - Occasional cattle and goat markets reflecting rural Kalahari trading rhythms and crafts.
Hidden Gems
Night-sky viewing spots - Remote location with minimal light pollution, perfect for stargazing and Milky Way photography.
Bush walks with local guides - Short guided walks teach local flora, medicinal plants, and survival techniques.
Traditional crafts stalls - Handmade beadwork and leather goods sold by community crafters at informal stalls.
Day Trips
Central Kalahari Game Reserve - Vast reserve offering wildlife drives, Kalahari habitats, and remote game-viewing experiences.
Ghanzi town craft centre - Ghanzi’s craft centre showcases San art, guided cultural tours, and local souvenirs.
Best Time to Visit Dekar
The cool, dry winter months (May-August) are best for wildlife viewing and comfortable days. The wet season floods roads but brings lush scenery and abundant birds.
Wet Season
Hot and humid with heavy thunderstorms; insects increase and some tracks become impassable, but the landscape is vibrant and birdlife abundant.
Cool Dry Season
Sunny, dry and pleasantly cool-ideal for game drives and comfortable nights; mornings can be frosty and crisp in some years.
Hot Dry Season
Very hot, dry and dusty with increasing fire risk; good for clear, long-distance wildlife spotting but physically demanding in midday heat.
Dekar's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in December) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 6°C to 35°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 20° - 33° | 26° | 90 mm | partly cloudy | 49% | 2.6 m/s | 3.1 extreme | 13.1h |
| February | Excellent | 19° - 33° | 26° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 53% | 2.5 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 12.7h |
| March | Excellent | 17° - 32° | 25° | 53 mm | partly cloudy | 51% | 2.4 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.1h |
| April | Ideal | 14° - 31° | 22° | 25 mm | mostly sunny | 45% | 2.3 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.5h |
| May | Ideal | 9° - 28° | 19° | 4 mm | clear | 36% | 2.3 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.0h |
| June | Ideal | 6° - 26° | 16° | 1 mm | clear | 37% | 2.5 m/s | 1.1 high | 10.7h |
| July | Ideal | 6° - 26° | 16° | 0 mm | clear | 36% | 2.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.8h |
| August | Ideal | 8° - 29° | 19° | 1 mm | clear | 27% | 2.8 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.3h |
| September | Ideal | 13° - 33° | 23° | 3 mm | clear | 22% | 3.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| October | Ideal | 17° - 35° | 26° | 24 mm | mostly sunny | 25% | 3.3 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.5h |
| November | Ideal | 19° - 35° | 27° | 36 mm | some cloud | 35% | 3.1 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 13.0h |
| December | Excellent | 19° - 34° | 27° | 66 mm | partly cloudy | 44% | 2.6 m/s | 3.0 extreme | 13.3h |
How to Get to Dekar
Dekar in Ghanzi District is remote and reached primarily by road from regional hubs such as Ghanzi town, Maun or Gaborone. Domestic flights to nearby towns plus a 4x4 road transfer are common for visitors to very remote settlements in western Botswana.
Gaborone Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE): For Dekar (Ghanzi District) the main international airport in Botswana is Gaborone GBE; from Gaborone to Dekar is a long road trip of several hours (often 6+ hours) so many travellers fly into Maun or Ghanzi if available and continue by road. Car hire and domestic charter flights are options from larger airports.
Maun Airport (MUB): Maun is a regional hub for northern and western Botswana and can be a useful access point for reaching Ghanzi District by road; ground transfers from Maun to Dekar are lengthy and often require 4x4 vehicles for remote tracks.
Train: Botswana Railways’ passenger services are limited and do not directly serve Dekar; rail is not a practical option for last-mile travel to this remote area.
Bus / Road transport: Long-distance buses and minibuses run between Gaborone, Maun and Ghanzi towns; from Ghanzi town you will need a local 4x4, taxi or arranged transfer to reach Dekar. Road conditions can be challenging, especially in the rainy season, so plan accordingly.
How to Get Around Dekar
Dekar is best reached by a combination of regional flights or long-distance bus to a hub (Maun or Ghanzi) and then a 4x4 road transfer. Travel times can be long and road conditions variable, so arrange transfers in advance and plan for remote travel.
- 4x4 / Rental car (Rental varies) - A 4x4 vehicle is recommended for accessing remote areas around Dekar due to unpaved tracks and variable conditions. If self-driving, ensure you have sufficient fuel, water and emergency supplies; local rental firms can advise on necessary permits and equipment.
- Domestic charter / regional flights (Variable (often high)) - Charter flights and small regional carriers can bring you to nearby airstrips (e.g., Maun or local private strips); from there arrange a road transfer. Charters are expensive but save long overland travel times.
- Long-distance bus / Minibus (Low) - Scheduled buses connect major towns like Gaborone, Maun and Ghanzi; from Ghanzi you’ll need a local transfer to reach Dekar. Buses are economical but can be slow and have limited daily departures.
- Taxi / Private transfer (Moderate-high (depending on distance)) - Local taxis or pre-booked private drivers offer door-to-door service from nearby towns; they are often the most practical option for complicated rural itineraries. Confirm that drivers are comfortable with long off-road journeys.
- Walking - Walks around a settlement like Dekar are possible but distances between services are large; do not rely on walking for long distances in remote Botswana due to heat and sparse water sources. Always carry sufficient supplies if you plan local hikes.
Where to Stay in Dekar
Budget
Ghanzi District / Ghanzi town - $25-60/night
Tiny settlement; accommodation within town is basic. Options in Dekar are scarce - plan to stay in Ghanzi for lodges, supermarkets and transport links.
Mid-Range
Ghanzi District / Ghanzi town - $60-120/night
Tiny settlement; accommodation within town is basic. Options in Dekar are scarce - plan to stay in Ghanzi for lodges, supermarkets and transport links.
Luxury
Ghanzi District / Ghanzi town - $120+/night
Tiny settlement; accommodation within town is basic. Options in Dekar are scarce - plan to stay in Ghanzi for lodges, supermarkets and transport links.
Nightlife in Dekar
Nightlife in Dekar is essentially nonexistent. The settlement doesn’t have bars, clubs or organized evening entertainment; community life tends to be quiet after dark. For nightlife options you must travel to larger regional centers.
Shopping in Dekar
Shopping in Dekar is extremely limited. Expect only basic stores or kiosks for essentials; for larger purchases, fuel, or specialty goods you will need to travel to major towns such as Ghanzi. Stock up before heading into remote areas and carry cash for small purchases.