The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, straddling the border between South Africa and Botswana, is a semi-desert of crimson dunes and star-crammed skies the place African animals run wild and guests get a wilderness ‘repair’ that’s Prozac for the soul.
As soon as Kalahari sand will get into your footwear, legend says, you’ll be drawn again many times.
I’ve visited the park 30 occasions and even written a ebook about it. However I misplaced my coronary heart on my very first go to.
For individuals who have but to go there for the primary time, right here’s some helpful data to assist with planning a Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park safari.
Attending to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Take the R360 for 250km from Upington within the Northern Cape, South Africa, through Askham to Twee Rivieren on the South Africa/Botswana border (complete distance from Johannesburg 960km; from Cape City 1100km). If time is brief and your pockets deep, fly from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Upington and rent a car there.
Getting across the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
I like to recommend driving a car with excessive clearance (no less than 190mm) or 4×4, particularly when the roads are badly corrugated, or muddy within the wet season (December/January to April). I’ve seen Sedans make it right here within the dry season (Could to November), however who is aware of at what price to their suspension!
A 4×4 is crucial for the guided and self-drive 4×4 trails on the South African facet, and in every single place on the Botswana/japanese facet of the park. Deflate your tyres for a softer experience (and see tip 8 under).
Finest time to go to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Any time is sweet, relying on what you take pleasure in. September–November, the top of the dry season, brings animals to the waterholes and lots of migrant birds. January/February provides a lot of motion, good raptor sightings and a few electrical storms, in case you don’t thoughts temperatures of 45–50ºC. If rains have been good, March might present a greener facet to the park and it’s good for birding. Avoid June/July, in case you hate being chilly; night-time temperatures can plummet to 0 or -10ºC, though days are sunny.
What to search for throughout a Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park safari
You’ll virtually actually spot black-maned Kalahari lions and perhaps even a leopard, however go away your ‘Large 5’ notions at residence as there aren’t any elephant, rhino or buffalo right here. Moderately, get pleasure from birds of prey, cheetah, hyena, honey badger, bat-eared fox, meerkat and small creatures like whistling rats and barking geckos.
The place to remain the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
South Africa:
SAN Parks’ vacationer camps (Twee Rivieren, Nossob, Mata Mata) supply self-catering chalets and tenting, whereas their six higher-priced and extra unique wilderness camps (Gharagab and Bitterpan for 4x4s solely) are unfenced for a close-to-nature really feel.
The private Xaus Lodge on land returned to the Mier and Khomani San is a fully-catered luxurious choice.
Kgalagadi Lodge outdoors the park, 5km south of Twee Rivieren, has self-catering chalets, tenting with non-public services,, and a great little restaurant.
Botswana:
Botswana Division of Wildlife and Nationwide Parks (DWNP) offers unfenced bush tenting with long-drop loos at Rooiputs and Polentswa, and on a spread of multi-night trails throughout the dunes. You need to have a 4×4, carry all your personal water and be totally self-sufficient.
On the different finish of the size are the brand new full-board non-public lodges at Rooiputs and Polentswa.
Insider ideas for visiting the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
1. Purchase the official data information to the park at Twee Rivieren for background on the park’s animals, vegetation and neighbouring San communities.
2. Take heat gear in case you go to in winter; use sunscreen and preserve hydrated in summer season.
3. Rain falls primarily between January and April, although we had been as soon as caught in a hail storm in September. The dry season is Could to November/December.
4. The security of the water is suspect. Convey consuming water from residence or purchase 5-litre jugs of mineral water outdoors the park the place it’s cheaper.
5. You should purchase gas solely at Twee Rivieren, Nossob and Mata Mata.
6. Solely Twee Rivieren, Nossob and Mata Mata have outlets promoting bottled water, fundamental meals/toiletries and firewood.
7. Price range for no less than one guided early morning stroll (R313 an individual, no youngsters beneath 16) or sundown/night time drive (R181 an individual, youngsters half value) throughout your go to.
8. In case you enterprise out on a 4×4 path, take a grass web to guard your radiator and deflate your tyres to 1.6 bars or much less so that you don’t get caught in thick sand. For security, journey with no less than two automobiles.
9. It is a transfrontier park, however if you wish to go away the park someplace aside from the place you enter, you shouldfull immigration formalities at Twee Rivieren/Two Rivers, and keep a minimal of two nights within the park.
10. Kgalagadi isn’t a high-risk malaria space, however use repellents and canopy up at daybreak/nightfall in summer season.
Extra posts about visiting Botswana
Journey Dudes
I am positive you have had related experiences I had while touring. You are in a sure place and a fellow traveler, or an area, tip you off on a little-known seaside, bar or lodging. Nice journey ideas from different vacationers or locals at all times add one thing particular to our travels. That was the inspiration for Journey Dudes.
