General Information
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park comprises an area of over 3,6 million hectares which is one of very few conservation areas of this magnitude left in the world.
Red sand dunes, sparse vegetation and the dry riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob show antelope and predator species off at a premium and provide excellent photographic opportunities.
Kgalagadi could be considered a haven for birders especially when interested in birds of prey.
The Kalahari is an arid region with an annual rainfall of 200 mm, mainly between January and April. In summer, day temperatures may exceed 40°C. Winter days are sunny with night temperatures often below zero. Visitors should anticipate extreme heat during the day and extreme cold during winter nights.
Entry into the Park
Access to the Park can be gained through five gates in three different countries:
- South Africa access is through the Twee Rivieren gate (immigration control gate)
- Namibia through the Mata-Mata gate
- Botswana through the Two Rivers, Mabuasehube and Kaa gates.
Passports are not required for entry, unless departure is planned through a different gate into another country.
Tourists are required to stay over for two nights in one or more of the overnight facilities of the Kgalagadi if the intention is to travel from one country to another.
Accommodation - South Africa
Kgalagadi has six different camps of varying size, facilities and cost. Three traditional rest camps have a basic shopping facility and fuel. The three wilderness camps, with no fences, invite the Kalahari and the tranquillity of Africa right into your room.
Traditional Rest Camps are:
Twee Rivieren
Mata Mata
Nossob
Wilderness Camps are:
Bitterpan
Grootkolk
Kalahari Tent Camp
Accommodation - Botswana
Camping is available at Polentswa, Rooiputs, Two Rivers and in Mabuasehube. A 4x4 vehicle is necessary to access the Botswana side of the Park.
All routes within Botswana are to be travelled by no less than two vehicles.
Contact:
The Parks and Reserves Reservation Office
Tel: 00 (from South Africa) 267 3180774
Fax: 00 267 3180775
or email: dwnp@gov.bw
Conservation Fees
Please Note rates do not include daily conservation levies. Please see details of Conservation Fees
Wildlife
Because of the sparse vegetation and concentration of animals in the dry riverbeds of the Auob and Nossob Rivers, Kgalagadi offers premium mammal viewing. It is especially renowned for predator watching and for the seasonal movement of large herbivores such as blue wildebeest, springbok, eland and red hartebeest.
Ground Squirrel and Suricate (Meerkat) are two more of the park’s more prominent species. Honey Badger (Ratel), Pangolin (Scaly Anteater) and Bat-eared Fox are some of the park specials to search for.
A variety of raptors may be seen, the commonest being Tawny and Blackbreasted Snake Eagle, Bateleur, Whitebacked and Lappetfaced Vulture, as well as smaller species such as Pale Chanting Goshawk, Gabar Goshawk, Pygmy Falcon and Greater Kestrel.
The Nossob Riverbed is rated as one of the best places in South Africa to view raptors, particularly during the summer months when large numbers of migratory eagles, kites and falcons move through the park.
Distances
Twee Rivieren from Upington – 260 km (tar road).
Visitors must allow for the following travelling time from Twee Rivieren entrance gate, to the other camps:
Nossob - 4½ hours
Grootkolk - 7½ hours
Gharagab - Not possible in one day
Bitterpan - 6½ hours
Kieliekrankie -1½ hours
Urikaruus - 2½ hours
Kalahari Tent Camp - 3½ hours
Mata Mata - 3½ hours
Travel Hints
Roads in the park have gravel surfaces and are accessible to cars. A 4x4 vehicle is not required, but pick-up's (bakkies) and 4x4's make traveling easier.
Hired cars may be collected at Twee Rivieren provided that an advance booking was made.
When driving from one rest camp to the other, travelers should depart before 12:00 to ensure arrival before sunset as no travelling is allowed in the park after dark.
Binoculars and cameras should be easily accessible at all times
Stopping for little things often produces interesting things that were not apparent.
How to get there See Map
The entrance at Twee Rivieren Gate is situated approximately 260 km north from Upington.
Tourists from Johannesburg have a choice of two routes, either via Upington (60 km gravel) or via Kuruman, Hotazel and Vanzylsrus (±340 km gravel).
Daily flights to Upington from Johannesburg and Cape Town are available.
Gate Hours are:
Summer - 06:00 - 19:30
Winter - 07:30 - 18:00 |
|
