Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Northern Cape , South Africa

Africa’s first formally declared transfrontier park was effectively launched in 2000. The Kgaladi Transfrontier Park is a union of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa and the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana. In total the park makes up a giant of 3.6 million hectares and is made up of rolling red dunes, a barren landscape with slight vegetation and the grass covered dry riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob. The Kalahari Desert sand plains are some of the largest in the world and stretch from South Africa in the south all the way up to the fringes of the Congo in the North. The temperatures in this region are extreme with very hot and dry days (up to 40’C) and freezing evenings (sometimes falling below 0’C). The area is extremely arid with annual rainfall sits around 200mm with January- April being the “wet months”.

The Kalahari is an excellent game viewing destination and was once the venue for some of Africa’s greatest migrations involving ungulate species such as wildebeest, springbok and eland before relentless hunting took its toll. The dry riverbeds with their sparse vegetation are particularly favoured by the mammal species, as food and shade are more common here, as well as large numbers of bird species - especially in the rainy season. This region is renowned for its spectacular bird of prey populations and species such as blackbreasted snake eagle, pale chanting goshawk, lappet-faced vulture and the pygmy falcon (smallest raptor in Africa). The area also has large numbers of sociable weavers which make massive nests which create interesting backdrops to the open landscape. Some of the fauna and flora numbers in the area include:

• Over 215 species of birds
• 400 plant species
• 55 reptile species
• 58 mammal species

Of the mammal species ground squirrels and meerkats (suricates) are some of the more commonly seen species. However other unique mammals in the area include pangolin, bat- eared fox, honey badger and aardvark. If one is lucky they could have the privilege of seeing a wild black maned Kalahari lion which are generally endemic to this area. Cat viewing in the park is exceptional due to the open landscape. Great cheetah and lion sightings can be expected.

One must note that the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is generally not sedan friendly (although one can get by) and the use of a pick up (bakkie) or a 4x4 is recommended.

Activities in the park include:

• 4x4 trails
• Wilderness Trail (Done in vehicles)
• Predator Centre
• Restaurant
• Picnic spots
• Star Gazing (area is known as big sky country)

Lodges and Camps :

Private Camps

• !Xaus Lodge

Mata Mata Rest Camp:

• Campsite with 20 units
• Chalet with 3 units
• River Front Chalet, 4 units with two single
• River Front Chalet, 4 units with four single beds
• River Front Chalet with disabled facilities

Nossob Rest Camp

• Campsite with 20 units
• Chalet, 7 units with two single beds
• Chalet, 1 unit with three single
• Chalet, 2 units with disabled
• Chalet, 4 units with two single beds and a bunk bed
• Chalet, 1 unit with six single
• Guest House, 1 unit with four single beds
• Family Cottage, 1 unit with six single beds

Twee Rivieren Rest Camp

• Campsite with 24 units
• Cottage, 2 units with disabled facilities
• Family Cottage, 21 units with four single beds
• Family Cottage, 1 unit with four single beds and disabled facilities
• Family Cottage, 1 unit with six single beds
• Family Cottage, 6 units with two single beds and one sleeper couch