 One of Africa's great parks. The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park of South Africa and Gemsbok National Park of Botswana have been formed into a Transfrontier park of over 3.6 million hectares.
The Kgalagdi comprises an area of over 3,6 million hectares that 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.
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 often below zero. Visitors should anticipate extreme heat during the day and extreme cold during winter nights.
Accommodation
Kgalagadi has different camps of varying size and facilities. Three traditional rest camps have a basic shopping facility and fuel. The three wilderness camps, with no fences, invite the Kalahari and the tranquility of Africa right into your room. Some of the camps given below for quick reference.
Traditional Rest Camps, Twee Rivieren, Mata Mata, Nossob, Wilderness camps, Bitter pan, Grootkolk, Kalahari Tent Camp.
Wildlife
Due to the sparse vegetation and concentration of animals in the dry riverbeds of the Auob and Nossob Rivers, Kgalagadi offers premium mammal viewing. A renowned place for predator watching cheetah, leopard, brown and spotted hyena and the definitive black-mane lion exist and for the seasonal movement of large herbivores such as blue wildebeest, springbok, eland and red hartebeest. Most prominent species are the Ground Squirrel and Suricate 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 Black-breasted Snake Eagle, Bateleur, White backed and Lappet faced Vulture, as well as smaller species such as Pale Chanting Goshawk, Gabar Goshawk, Pygmy Falcon and Greater Kestrel.
Rated as one of the best, The Nossob Riverbed in South Africa to view raptors particularly during the summer months when large numbers of migratory eagles, kites and falcons move through the park.
Travel distances within the Park
Twee Rivieren to:
Nossob: 3½ hrs
Mata-Mata: 2½ hrs
Kalahari Tent Camp: 2½ hrs
Grootkolk: 6 hrs
Nossob to:
Union's End: 3 hrs
Mata-Mata (over Kamqua dune road): 3½ hrs
Bitterpan: 2½ hrs
Grootkolk: 2½ hrs
Bitterpan to Mata-Mata: 2 hrs
Mata-Mata to Kalahari Tent Camp: 4 km
How to reach Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
The entrance at Twee Rivieren Gate is situated approximately 260 km north from Upington in the far Northern Cape and 904 km from Johannesburg.
Tourists have a choice of two routes, either via Upington (60 km gravel) or via Kuruman, Hotazel and Vanzylsrus (300 km gravel).
Daily flights to Upington from Johannesburg and Cape Town are available.
Gate Opening Hours:
Summer- 06:00 - 19:30
Winter - 07:30 - 18:00
Some of the best National Parks in South Africa for Game viewing are:
|
