Quick Travel Tips: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and the Kalahari

One Park. Two Countries. All The Advice You Need for Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park & the Kalahari.

Kgalagadi Links:
Learning To Survive Without the Desert: Destination Inspiration from Tweerivieren to Mata Mata and Nossob | Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Quick Travel Tips | The Magic of Nowhere: Destination Inspiration from Mabuasahube in Botswana | What To Pack For a Safari To Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park |

Advice For Travellers: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

• South Africa or Botswana?: While the park is jointly run between the two countries, the amenities on each side remain separately governed. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is predominantly a self-drive destination, but some lodges and mobile safaris are present in the area. We have had the good fortune to visit both sides of the border on separate occasions - through Tweerivieren in South Africa, up to Mata Mata, Kalahari Tented Camp, and Nossob on the South African side and to the A-framed campsites of Mabuasahube on the Botswana side. While the border post and camp at Tweerivieren offers a restaurant and shop, the amenities diverge between the nations from this point. Vehicle numbers are limited within the park and the popularity of the destination means accommodation fills quickly, so booking in advance is a good idea.


• Safety and a Sense of Adventure: Kgalagadi camps on the Botswanan side are largely unfenced, with rudimentary campsites that are open to wildlife. It is a good idea to bring your own water and fuel, as these are not readily available - and are completely unavailable in some locations. While some unfenced camps exist on the South African side, this side of the border offers a mixture of camps to suit every kind of safari-goer - with both camping and chalet options available. If you are a first-time self-driver or solo traveller, this is an amazing self-drive safari destination. The simple roads system means you're unlikely to get lost. SANParks also has a policy of gate passes as a safety measure. This alerts camp management of missing guests, so they can send a search party if you have car trouble while you're out exploring.


• Do You Need a 4x4 to go to Kgalagadi?: If you are travelling on the Botswanan side, a 4x4 is recommended. They also suggest travelling in convoy because of the thick sandy roads. On the South African side of the park, a 4x4 is not a strict requirement, but a 2x4 with good clearance is recommended. It is worth noting that the cheetah researchers we encountered on our trip spent the day driving in a Kia hatchback. This might be limited to the southern camps, however. As we drove north to Nossob, we came across areas of thicker sand and puddles (we were there during the rainy season). Together with the advantage of providing a little extra height, a 4x4 (or, at least, an SUV or utility vehicle) opens up different areas of the park for the more adventurous at heart. There are also dedicated 4x4 trails available by prior arrangement.


• What Is The Best Time To Visit Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park?: As with any destination, the conditions will depend on the time of year you decide to travel. We were there in February - a time that is notoriously hot with the chance of big storms in the afternoons. This is desert heat - perfectly tempered by game drive air conditioning, midday dips in camp swimming pools (dubbed "The Hippo Pool" by one of our fellow bathers), and icy drinks. November to March/April is the rainy season, which means green deserts, carpets of yellow devil thorn flowers, and an abundance of water for game. May to September is the dry season and temperatures are largely warm and moderate. Be warned, however, that it's not always hot in the desert. At the time of writing, I have seen reports of temperatures plunging to -7 degrees Celcius. If you are planning to travel over the winter months, preparing for truly freezing conditions is a must.


• What Amenities Are Available In The Park?: Kgalagadi holds enormous appeal for anyone on the hunt for wilderness. The simple roads network is sandy and, on the South African side, regularly graded. This is to minimise impact of the park on the surrounding dunescape. On the Botswana side, our camp at Mabuasahube had a simple A-frame shelter, a long-drop toilet, and a single tap (water was not drinkable). There was no infrastructure along game drive routes. On the South African side, occasional picnic sites with ablutions are the perfect break for game drives. If you are averse to long days in the car or if you are travelling with young children, the distances between these stops is something to keep in mind when you are planning your game drive routes. The camps we visited also had fuel stations, curio and simple grocery stores - although none of the camps we stayed in had potable water. Some camps were very rustic - with simple solar power lights and gas cooking and fridge facilities.

Kgalagadi Links:
Learning To Survive Without the Desert: Destination Inspiration from Tweerivieren to Mata Mata and Nossob | Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Quick Travel Tips | The Magic of Nowhere: Destination Inspiration from Mabuasahube in Botswana | What To Pack For a Safari To Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park |