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.

List of facilities at the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park:

• 5 Picnic sites with ablution facilities

List of facilities at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp:

• 24-Hour electricity
• Cell phone reception
• Administrative head office for the park
• Border control for those crossing the border to Namibia or Botswana
• A la carte restaurant
• Visitor centre
• Interpretation centre celebrating the Khomani San
• Shop selling basic commodities and groceries
• Swimming pool
• Filling station providing petrol and diesel
• Hide at waterhole

List of facilities at Mata-Mata Rest Camp:

• Raptor centre
• Shop selling basic commodities and groceries
• Swimming pool
• Filling station providing petrol and diesel
• Hide at waterhole

List of facilities at Nossob Rest Camp:

• Shop selling basic commodities and groceries
• Swimming pool
• Filling station providing petrol and diesel
• Predator Centre
• Wheelchair friendly hide at the waterhole

List of facilities at the Kalahari Tented Camp:

• Swimming pool

List of facilities at the Botswana Campsites:

• Only 4x4-vehicles can access the Botswana side of the park
• All routes in Botswana are to be travelled by no less than 2 vehicles
• Wilderness trails:
  • Mabuasehube Wilderness Trail – 155 km
  • Polentswa Wilderness Trail – 257 km
• Direct routes:
  • Nossob Riverbed to Mabuasehube – 170 km
  • Kannaguass to Kaa – 85 km

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.

Activities

• 4x4 Trails
  • Nossob 4x4 Eco trail – guided tour – 4 days, 3 nights
  • Leeuwdril 4x4 loop – for 4x4 vehicles only
  • !Xerry Wilderness trail – guided 2 day, 2 night excursion
• Wilderness trails:
  • Mabuasehube Wilderness Trail – 155 km
  • Polentswa Wilderness Trail – 257 km
• Direct routes:
  • Nossob Riverbed to Mabuasehube – 170 km
  • Kannaguass to Kaa – 85 km
• Game drives
• Wilderness walks
• Swimming pools
  • Twee Rivieren Camp
  • Kalahari Tent Camp
  • Mata-Mata Camp
  • Nossob Camp
• Birdwatching
• Predator Centre at Nossob Camp
• Raptor Centre at Mata-Mata Camp
• Interpretation Centre celebrating the Khomani San at Twee Rivieren Camp
• Hides near the waterholes
  • Nossob
  • Mata-Mata
  • Twee Rivieren
• A la Carte Restaurant at Twee Rivieren
• Picnic sites with ablution facilities
  • Melkvlei
  • Dikbaardskolk
  • Kamqua

• Camel thorn trees
• Meerkat colonies
• Massive black-maned Kalahari Lions
• Gemsbok
• Sociable Weavers with huge communal nests
• Auchterlonie Museum

• Day visitors are welcome and communal ablution facilities are available at the main rest camps and at the picnic facilities in the park.
• Firewood and kindling may not be collected in the park.
• No wild animals or birds must be fed at any time.
• Adhere to the speed limits of 50 km/h in the park and 20 km/h in the rest camps.
• Do not drive off the roads to protect the organisms living in the dunes and riverbeds.
• As outdoor lighting in camps is limited, a torch/headlamp is required when walking outside at night.
• Drinking water is available at the main camps.
• The wilderness camps do not have drinking water and guests should provide their own.
• Insect repellent is strongly recommended. Cotton sheets will keep insects at bay.
• Scarves protect against dust and wet towels from extreme heat. Plan clothing for extreme temperatures.
• Binoculars and cameras are a must.
• Pets are not allowed in the park
• No firearms will be allowed to cross borders or allowed into the park.
• No open game viewing vehicles will be allowed.
• No motorbikes or quad bikes are allowed in the park.
• Shoes are essential at night to protect against scorpion bites.
• Keep an emergency supply of 10 litres of water in your vehicle.
• In the event of a breakdown, remain in your vehicle.
• Low risk malaria area.
• Do not sleep on the bare ground as the park is an ideal scorpion habitat.
• A 4×4 or high ground clearance vehicle is required to traverse the park.
• Extra spare wheel, tools, spares, enough food and extra water containers are essential.
• Driving off indicated routes and outside camping sites is a serious offence. It is harmful to the park and dangerous to the visitor.
• Picking of plants, removal of seeds, rocks, crystals or driftwood is an offence. Please help us to preserve the park’s wilderness atmosphere.
• Driving in the park at night is not permitted.

Travelling from:

• Upington: 265 km
• Kuruman: 383 km
• Kimberley: 621 km
• Cape Town: 1 076 km
• Johannesburg: 1 090 km
• Durban: 1 463 km
• Gqeberha: 1 163 km

Travelling to Mabuasehube gate from:

• Gaborone: 533 km
• Maun: 787 km
• Tsabong: 115 km

Travelling to Two Rivers from:

• Gaborone: 810 km
• Tsabong: 310 km

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.

South Africa:

• Twee Rivieren

Namibia:

• Mata-Mata

Botswana:

• Two Rivers
• Mabuasehube
• Kaa

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.

• January: 05:30 – 19:30
• February: 06:00 – 19:30
• March: 06:30 – 19:00
• April: 07:00 – 18:30
• May: 07:00 – 18:00
• June and July: 07:30 – 18:00
• August: 07:00 – 18:30
• September: 06:30 – 18:30
• October: 06:00 – 19:00
• November and December: 05:30 – 19:30