All you need to know to plan and book your trip to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Situated in the Kalahari Desert in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa and across the border into the south of Botswana, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a large wildlife conservation area, spanning 38 000 square kilometres. The breathtaking red sand dunes, sparge vegetation and massive old Camel Thorn trees are typical sights to enjoy in the park of which three-quarters lies in Botswana and one-quarter in South Africa. The dry riverbeds of the Nossob (meaning dark clay) and Auob (meaning bitter water) Rivers, where water flows subterraneously to sustain the grass, trees and wildlife, only flows occasionally and briefly after large thunderstorms.
9 places to stay in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
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The South African Kalahari Gemsbok Park was established in 1931 to protect migrating game. In 1948 a verbal agreement was made with Botswana (then called Bechuanaland Protectorate) to set up a conservation area stretching across the border to include the Gemsbok National Park. From April 1999 both parks were combined and managed as a single ecological unit, but the tourist facilities are run autonomously. In May 2000 the combined park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park was formally launched as Southern Africa’s first Peace Park.
The land of the local native people, the Khomani San and the Mier communities, is managed by South African National Parks (SANParks) to the benefit of the communities and to establish a tourism facility. The !Xaus Lodge was created to allow the cultural practices of the !Khomani San to continue by selling their crafts to visitors. The word Kgalagadi is derived from Makgadigadi, which means “the land which dried up” or “the dry land”.
Extreme weather and temperatures can be expected in the semi-arid southern Kalahari area. In summer the temperatures often exceed 40°C and in winter temperatures drop to well below freezing. Low relative humidity and annual rainfall and high annual evaporation epitomises the essence of desert life.
Five groups of sands are recognised in the park and the colour ranges from red in the dunes to yellow-brown on the pans and riverbeds. Herds of gemsbok (Oryx), springbok, eland and blue wildebeest as well as leopards and huge black-mane lions made the Kgalagadi Park their home. Since 2055 the area has been considered a lion conservation unit and stronghold. More than 200 bird species inhabit the park including around 30 raptors.
The three main rest camps in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, offer a variety of amenities including shops, air-conditioning and swimming pools. The six wilderness camps provide accommodation and wash water, but visitors must provide their own drinking water, food and firewood.
Attracting photographers and adventurous visitors who enjoy driving around the park on the lookout for the protected wildlife, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park offers several trails - some of them being only accessible by 4x4-vehicles.
Each of the three main rest camps have an Interpretation Centre as well as a hide at a waterhole where close encounters with the wild animals can be enjoyed.
The arid landscapes, red dunes and blue skies in combination with the African wildlife create the ideal opportunity for game viewing and photographic safaris.
Access to the park can be gained through 5 gates in 3 different countries. Passports are not required to enter the park, but for those visitors wanting to exit the park at another gate must see to all immigration controls at Twee Rivieren. A 2-day stay in the park is compulsory to those wanting to cross the borders.
Please take note that sedan vehicles may find it difficult to cope with the road conditions and that diving in the park at night is not permitted.