Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park, SANParks

Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park, SANParks

Description

Where the red dunes and scrub fade into infinity and herds of gemsbok, springbok, eland and blue wildebeest follow the seasons, where imposing camel thorn trees provide shade for huge black-mane lions and vantage points for leopard and many raptors... this is the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park. An amalgamation of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa (proclaimed in 1931)and the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park comprises an area of over 3,6 million hectares – 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 to spectacualr advantage and provide excellent photographic opportunities. Kgalagadi is also a haven for birders, especially those interested in birds of prey.

Accommodation

Traditional Rest Camps (click on maps to expand)

Twee Rivieren

This popular rest camp offers a range of accommodation types to suit a variety of tastes and budgets including family cottages, chalets and camp sites.

Twee Rivieren is the Park’s largest rest camp and administrative headquarters. It is situated on the banks of the Dry Nossob Riverbed. Activities and facilities are diverse, as are the animals and plants found both within the camp and in the surrounding areas. Twee Rivieren has a reception, shop, fuel, restaurant, information centre and swimming pool. This is the only camp with 24 hrs electricity and cell phone reception.

Mata-Mata Rest Camp

This popular rest camp offers a range of accommodation types to suit a variety of tastes and budgets including family chalets, park homes/chalavans and camp sites.

The camp is situated on the banks of the Auob River on the western boundary of the Park. The camp borders Namibia and is surrounded by thorny Kalahari dune bushveld. Giraffe, typically adapted to these arid conditions are a favourite sight around Mata-Mata. The camp has a reception, swimming pool, shop and fuel facilities. A generator provides electricity for 18 hrs per day. Phone lines are provided from Namibia. Mata-Mata is 2,5 hrs drive from Twee Rivieren.

Nossob Rest Camp 

Nossob offers visitors to the Kgalagadi 2 Guesthouses, a range of cottages and camping sites to suit a variety of tastes and budgets

Nossob Rest Camp is situated within the dry riverbed of the Nossob. The camp is surrounded by tree savannah and is famous for spectacular predator sightings. The camp has a reception, swimming pool, predator information centre, shop and fuel facilities. A generator provides electricity for 18 hrs per day. No phone reception is available at the camp which ad to the tranquillity and peaceful atmosphere at Nossob. Nossob is 3,5 hrs drive from Twee Rivieren.

Wilderness camps

Please note:

1) In order to retain the tranquility and exclusiveness of the wilderness camps we do not exceed 8 people per camp.
2) Chidren under 12 years are not allowed at these camps: Kieliekrankie, Urikaruus, Gharagab, Bitterpan, Grootkolk.

Bitterpan

NB: This camp is NOT fenced and a Tourism Assistant is on duty at all times.

Elevated above the red sand dunes of the Kalahari and suspended in time is Bitterpan – an exclusive, stilted camp overlooking a waterhole. Bitterpan is situated in the center of the wilderness opening up a new 4x4 route through the Kalahari dunes from Nossob to Mata-Mata and the Kalahari Tent Camp. It is on a ONE-WAY route starting from Nossob. It is approximately a 2,5 hr drive from Nossob to Bitterpan, while from Bitterpan to Craig Lockhart on the Auob tourist road takes another 2.5 hrs, and thereafter 15 minutes to Mata-Mata, or a two hour drive to Twee Rivieren. It is strictly a 4x4 route, but BIG 4x4’s such as Unimogs (heavy vehicle 4x4) are not allowed.

Guests should consider staying at Nossob before their departure for Bitterpan, as it is an approximately 3 hours drive from Nossob along a one-way 4x4 route. Guests much check in to Bitterpan at Nossob. They cannot do so at Twee Rivieren or Mata-Mata. Nossob itself is at least a three-and-a-half hour drive from Twee Rivieren.

Visitors to Bitterpan should please note the following:

• NB. The camp and its access roads are strictly for the use of its residents only!
• Visitors must supply their own firewood or charcoal
• Visitors must supply their own drinking water
• No Trailers (even 4x4 trailers) will be permitted.
• Visitors should be aware that there is limited driving opportunity once at the camp.
• Only a one-way 15 km game drive, however visitors staying longer than one night may use the escape route to Moravet to go onto the tourist routes and back.
• The entrance and exit roads (and the 15 km game drive) are strictly one-way.
• No fuel and no shop, nearest facilities at Nossob and Mata-Mata.

Grootkolk

NB: This camp is NOT fenced and Tourism Assistant is on duty at all times.

The perfect retreat for special occasions, or simply just to get away from it all. The camp is tucked away in the dunes, overlooking a waterhole, 20 km from Union’s End where the three countries South Africa, Botswana and Namibia meet. It is a wilderness camp nestled amidst red sand dunes with only the stars and silence for company. Grootkolk is 6 hours drive from Twee Rivieren and 2,5 hours from Nossob. The camp is ususally accessible by 2x4s and 4x4s, not normal sedan vehicles .

Visitors to Grootkolk should please note the following:

• There are 4 x 2 bed chalets with bedroom, ceiling fan, bathroom and kitchen on veranda. (One unit is accessible for visitors with mobility impairment)
• Each chalet is equipped with cutlery, crockery, linen, fridge and braai
• Communal kitchen and barbecue areas available
• The chalets are made from sand bags and canvas
• There is GAS for hot water and cooking and SOLAR for lighting
• Waterhole

The camp can accommodate either groups or single reservations with ease.

Kalahari Tented Camp

NB: This camp is NOT fenced and a Tourism Supervisor is on duty at all times.

Situated high up on a red sand dune, overlooking a waterhole in the dry bed of the ancient Auob River, the Kalahari Tent Camp welcomes you to capture the spirit of the land of thirst. This exclusive getaway for the discerning visitor, boasts 15 desert tents each elegantly decorated with rustic finishes using wood, sand and canvas exteriors al in the resonate colours of the park. The tent camp is 3 km from the Mata-Mata Rest Camp where Kalahari Tent Camp residents can refuel and get basic supplies at the shop. The camp is designed in such a way that residents feel they have only themselves and the desert for company.

Visitors to Kalahari Tent Camp should please note the following:

• NB. The camp and access road are strictly for the use of residents only!
• Visitors must supply their own firewood or charcoal
• Visitors must supply their own drinking water
• No fuel and no shop, closest facilities at Mata-Mata

The camp features the following facilities:

• 1 luxury honeymoon desert tent
• 4 family desert tents (two beds and a stack bed)
• 10 two-bed desert tents (Two of the units have been made accessible to visitors with mobility impairment)
• Tents consist of a bedroom with ceiling fan, bathroom and kitchen
• Each tent is equipped with cutlery, crockery, linen, fridge and braai
• There is GAS for hot water and cooking and SOLAR for lighting
• A swimming pool is available
• Waterhole

The camp can accommodate either groups or single reservations with ease.

Kieliekrankie Wilderness Camp

Guests have to provide their own drinking water and firewood.

Situated 50 km (one-and-a-half hours) drive away from Twee Rivieren on the Southern Dune Road. The closest shop and fuel supply is at Twee Rivieren, where guests who have booked Kieliekrankie also checks in. The camp is unfenced, and there is a tourism assistant on duty. Sunk into a dune, with endless views of the red Kalahari sands. This unique self-catering wilderness camp will be accessible by passenger vehicles.

The camp has 3 x DC2 (Dune Cabin) and 1 x DC2Z (Dune Cabin - Adapted for use by the mobility impaired).

Each unit has 2 single beds, a bathroom with w/c and shower, an equipped kitchen with gas fridge / freezer, solar power for lights, gas for hot water and braai facilities on a deck.

Urikaruus Wilderness Camp

Guests have to provide their own drinking water and firewood.

Situated 72 km (two hours) drive away from Twee Rivieren on the road to Mata Mata between the veil of old camelthorn trees, overlooks the Auob River. The closest shop and fuel supply is at Twee Rivieren, where guests who have booked Urikaruus also checks in. The camp is unfenced, and there is a tourism assistant on duty. The camp has 4 x Riverside Cabins built on stilts and connected by a plank way. Urikaruus is accessible by passenger vehicles.

Each unit has 2 single beds, a bathroom with w/c and shower, an equipped kitchen with gas fridge / freezer, solar power for lights, gas for hot water and braai facilities on a deck.

Gharagab Wilderness Camp

Guests have to provide their own drinking water and firewood.

Located in the far northern region of the park, will provide guests with elevated views of Kalahari dunes and the thornveld savannah. Situated 164 km (four hours) drive north of Nossob on the road to Unions End. The closest shop and fuel supply is at Nossob, where guests who have booked Gharagab also checks in. The camp is unfenced, and there is a tourism assistant on duty. Gharagab is ususally accessible by 2x4 and 4x4 vehicles on a one way road. It is not suitable for normal sedan vehicles, and it's advisable to contact the park before your trip to acertain the prevailing conditions.

The camp has 4 x LC2 (Log Cabin) units.

Each unit has 2 single beds, a bathroom with w/c and shower, an equipped kitchen with gas fridge / freezer, solar power for lights, gas for hot water and braai facilities on a deck.

Luxury Camps

!Xaus Lodge

!Xaus Lodge “A place to experience, not merely observe.”

!Xaus Lodge’s isolation allows you to experience the unspoiled splendour of the vast, arid Kgalagadi Park.

Crafted to blend into the landscape, this 24 bed thatched luxury lodge, owned by the ‡Khomani San and Mier communities, overlooks a large salt pan. Relax on the viewing deck and observe the animals at the waterhole below, cool off in the plunge pool or browse through the curio shop.

Join our guides on a morning wilderness walk through the dunes. ‘Listen’ to the sun set on an early evening drive or enjoy an after-dinner game-drive, with the accompanying desert sounds. ‘Touch’ the stars as you gaze at the splendour of the night sky.

Meet the Bushmen, legendary hunter-gatherers, at work in the serenity of their craft village and marvel at the tastes of the Mier’s unique culinary offerings.

And then, fulfilled in spirit recall the words of Laurens van der Post: “This ancient African land seen through the eyes of the Bushmen is mystical, magical and spiritual”

Vital Information

Important Visitor Information

The following information will be useful for your visit to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

• Shops in Mata Mata, Nossob and Twee Rivieren camps sell basic commodities.
• There are no credit/debit card facilities at any of the shops, except for Twee Rivieren.
• Vehicle fuel is available in all parks (or is available on the park periphery) and in the main rest camps in Kruger and Kgalagadi. South African legislation stipulates that fuel stations will accept legitimate petrol/fuel/garage/credit/debit cards or cash as a form of payment for any fuel purchase.
• Twee Rivieren is the only camp with a restaurant and public telephones (card and coin).
• Guests travelling to Twee Rivieren via Upington (Askham) must note that the tarring of the road has been completed. The road via Van Zylsrus must not be driven at a high speed as the gravel section on this route is badly corrugated.
• Kindly note that the roads in the Kgalagadi are not sedan friendly, although management intervenes to maintain on a monthly basis.
• Swimming pools at Twee Rivieren, Kalahari Tent camps, Mata Mata and Nossob camps.
• Power points at camping sites, in Twee Rivieren, Mata Mata and Nossob camps.
• Hide at waterhole in Mata Mata and Nossob camps.
• Waterhole at Bitterpan, Grootkolk, Kieliekrankie, Urikaruus, Gharagab and Kalahari Tent camps.
• Info centre at Twee Rivieren camp. Predator centre at Nossob camp.
• Bitterpan, Grootkolk, Kieliekrankie, Urikaruus, Gharagab and Kalahari Tent camps are not fenced.
• Guests staying at Bitterpan, Grootkolk, Kieliekrankie, Urikaruus, Gharagab and Kalahari Tent camps must take own wood and drinking water.
• Only guests staying at Bitterpan and Gharagab are allowed to make use of 4X4 road to Bitterpan and Gharagab. NO TRAILERS ALLOWED.
• Closest shop to Kalahari Tent camp is at Mata Mata camp (3 km away).
• Departure time for the Nossob 4 x 4 eco-trail from Twee Rivieren or Nossob camp is 09:00.
• For trails that start in Twee Rivieren, it is advisable to book the night after the trail, in Nossob camp.
• Distance from Upington – 260 km.
• NB: 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

Tourists wanting to exit the park other than the point of entry must kindly note that all immigration controls must be done at Twee Rivieren / Two Rivers, and that a 2 day stay in the park is compulsory

Climate

The Kalahari is a semi-arid region with an average rainfall of 150mm in the southwest to 350mm in the northeast. The unreliable and irregular rains fall mostly during dramatic thunderstorms, often accompanied by strong winds and dust-storms, between November and April. The first rains transform the red dunes, covering them with the fresh yellow flowers of the dubbeltjie, Tribulus terrestris. Within two weeks fresh green grass begins to grow, but if the rains do not return, the vegetation will soon wither and the thirstland once again becomes apparent.

Temperatures vary greatly from -11°C on cold winter nights to 42°C in the shade on summer days when the ground surface temperature reaches a sizzling 70°C. During the winter months, when frost is common, the ground surface temperature can be 25°C lower that the temperature of the air. Winter in the Kalahari is a cool, dry season from September to October and then a hot, wet season from November to April.

Day travellers

There are communal ablution facilities at Twee Rivieren, Nossob and Mata Mata rest camps and picnic sites at Melkvlei, 50 km (north of Twee Rivieren), Dikbaardskolk, 56 km (South of Nossob) and at Kamqua between Twee Rivieren and Mata-Mata.

Official hours

Office Hours: 07:30 to sundown

Tips & Hints

• Pets are not allowed in a National Park.
• Firearms must be declared at the gate where they will be sealed. The seal will be broken upon departure.
• Shoes are essential on summer evenings for protection against the possibility of scorpion stings.
• Keep an emergency supply of 10 litres water in your vehicle.
• In the event of a breakdown, remain in your vehicle – it is the safest place.
• This is a low risk malaria area. Consult your chemist.
• Roads in the park have gravel surfaces.
• Light aircraft may land on a tarred runway at Twee Rivieren. Prior permission must be obtained from the Park.
• Hired cars may be collected at Twee Rivieren provided that an advance booking was made.
• The travelling time from the entrance gate at Twee Rivieren to Nossob Rest Camp is 3.5 hours and to Mata Mata is 2.5 hours. When driving from one rest camp to the other, travellers should depart with travelling times in mind to ensure arrival before sunset as no travelling is allowed in the park after dark.

Visitors to 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.

Attractions

Activities

Guests can participate in the following activities when available:

• Lectures, slide shows and holiday programs are organised from the information centre at Twee Rivieren.
• Morning and sunset drives, as well as morning walks, are available at Twee Rivieren, Nossob, Mata-Mata and the Kalahari Tented Camp; enquiries can be made at the reception desks.
  • Drives require a minimum of 4 adults in order to go out.
  • Walkers are restricted to 8 persons, and no children under 12 are allowed. Guests need comfortable shoes and need to take water along. Tariff: R245 per adult (no children allowed)
  • Please note that, due to availability of staff, drives are not always available 7 days per week; please enquire at reception regarding schedules.
• Nossob 4x4 Eco Trail - for information and bookings, please contact the reception desk at Twee Rivieren.
• Leeuwdril 4x4 Loop - for information and bookings, please contact the reception desk at Twee Rivieren. ***Please note: Due to the closure of the Samevloeing/Kij Kij road because of roadworks from February to August 2009, the Leeuwdril 4x4 trail will not be available from 6 February 2009 until further notice.***
• !Xerry Wilderness Trail - please contact Twee Rivieren Reception for bookings.
  

Please note: The gravel sections of the road via Vanzylsrus are badly corrugated. The road via Upington to the Park, however, has recently been tarred.

Please note that all day and night drives are subject to availability.

4 x 4 Routes - when available

• Nossob 4 x 4 Eco Trail - 214 km
• Bitterpan trail - 120 km
• Mabuasehube Wilderness Trail - 155 km
• Wilderness Trail (starting at Polentswa) - 257 km
• Direct Route – Nossob Riverbed to Mabuasehube - 170 km
• Direct Route – Kannaguass to Kaa - 85 km
• Leeuwdril 4 x 4 Loop - Total off-road distance is 13,2 km (passing the Gemsbok windmill)

Facilities

Facilities

• Laundry tubs and ironing facilities (no iron) in camping area of Twee Rivieren, Nossob and Mata-Mata.
• Twee Rivieren, the largest rest camp and administrative base, has a swimming pool, information centre, shop and public telephone and cell phone reception.
• Restaurant - serves breakfast and dinner (A-la-Carte)
• Predator centre at Nossob.
• Hides at water hole at Nossob and Mata Mata.
• The camps have limited freezing facilities and cannot provide a freezing service to tourists.
• Shops in Twee Rivieren, Mata-Mata and Nossob sell commodities that you would find in your local supermarket, including fresh meat, milk, cheese, eggs, bread, wine and beer.
• Petrol (premium and unleaded) and diesel at Twee Rivieren, Mata-Mata and Nossob.
• Five picnic sites throughout the Park with barbecue facilities and communal ablution (no water available).
• Swimming pool in Twee Rivieren and Kalahari Tent Camp, Mata Mata and Nossob.

Directions