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The Kalahari Desert is a unique habitat in Southern Africa, a world full of austere beauty and fascinating inhabitants. Only a few marks in the sand indicate the presence of man. The Kalahari is often mistakenly described as a desert, as in this region in the heart of Botswana. It is more like an arid savannah and most visitors are surprised by the exceptionally large biodiversity of the local flora and fauna. On the border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the luxurious Deception Valley Lodge, with first class accommodation and a swimming pool. It is not only an ideal starting point for various safaris, it is also an ideal place in which to relax after an exhausting tour of the surrounding wilderness. Suddenly, two men appear. They are Bushmen, one of the most legendary ethnic groups in Africa. The Kalahari Bushmen have, for more than 25,000 years, lived in harmony with nature in this semi-desert that is also a hostile environment. However, they have managed to survive without disrupting the ecology of their surroundings. Within the branches of a tree, our two guides discover the remains of a dead creature that a lion has left to retrieve later in the day. As the tree is surrounded by bones, it's evident that the lion appears to favor this particular location. We continue our walkabout through the dry savannah while the two bushmen provide us with a very welcome sense of security. Despite its desert-like appearance, the Kalahari contains around 250 edible plants. The gathering of plants is one of the main duties of the women while hunting has always been a male domain. Only here, in this relatively small area of the Kalahari, is there still a home for the legendary Bushmen. Desperate, but far from defeated, they attempt to preserve their cultural heritage for future generations to come.
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2009 DVD Releases
Africa
