Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Northern Cape South Africa

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 spectacular advantage and provide excellent photographic opportunities. Kgalagadi is also a haven for birders, especially those interested in birds of prey.

5 Things to seek
· Gemsbok – these large striking desert antelope are the emblem of the park.
· Suricate (Meerkat) – these hyperactive little omnivores have a wonderfully intricate family structure.
· Black-maned Kalahari Lions – Physically impressive, they are the kings of the Kalahari Desert.
· Sociable weavers – the busy little birds construct huge communal nests.
· Pygmy falcons – the park is famous for its birds of prey. This is the smallest falcon in Africa and is often seen around Sociable Weaver colonies preying on the birds.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park accommodation

Traditional Rest Camps:

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 tranquility and peaceful atmosphere at Nossob. Nossob is 3,5 hrs drive from Twee Rivieren.

Wilderness camps
NB: In order to retain the tranquility and exclusiveness of the wilderness camps we do not exceed 8 people per camp.

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 centre 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 usually 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 check in.

The camp is unfenced, and there is a tourism assistant on duty.
Gharagab is usually 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 ascertain 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

Luxury Camps - !Xaus Lodge
!Xaus Lodge, owned by the Khomani San and Mier communities, is the first fully catered luxury lodge to be located in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

!Xaus Lodge, a 24 bed thatched luxury lodge has been crafted to blend into the the landscape of this remote wilderness area. Situated on the red dunes of the Kalahari it overlooks an enormous salt pan where, from the privacy of the deck of your own chalet , you can observe the animals drinking at the waterhole below.