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. The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa was proclaimed in 1931 mainly to protect the migrating game, especially the gemsbok. Together with the adjacent Gemsbok National Park in Botswana, this 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 at a premium and provide excellent photographic opportunities.
Kgalagadi could be considered a haven for birders especially when interested in birds of prey.
Kgalagadi (SA) has six different camps of varying size, facilities and cost. Three traditional camps that have a basic shopping facility and fuel are situated on the South African side of the Park. Kgalagadi is the first Park to provide accommodation in three wilderness camps that, with no fences, invite the Kalahari and the tranquillity of Africa right into your room. The camps are:
Traditional Rest Camps
- Twee Rivieren
- Mata Mata
- Nossob
Wilderness Camps
- Bitterpan
- Grootkolk
- Kalahari Tented Camp
Due to the high demand for accommodation in Wilderness Camps, three additional camps, with four fully equipped units each, were developed.
Kieliekrankie wilderness camp
Sunk into a dune, with endless views of the red Kalahari sands. Located in the Twee Rivieren region, this unique self-catering wilderness camp will be accessible by passenger vehicles.
Urikaruus wilderness camp
Located in the Mata-Mata region of the park, between the veil of old camelthorn trees, overlooks the Auob River. Urikaruus is accessible by passenger vehicles.
Gharagab wilderness camp
Located in the far northern region of the park, will provide guests with elevated views of Kalahari dunes and the thornveld savannah. Gharagab will only be accessible by 4x4.
Twee Rivieren
- Six-bed family chalet, two bedrooms, bathroom (shower), living room, water cooler and fully equipped kitchen.
- Three- and four-bed family cottages, one bedroom, bathroom (shower), living room, water cooler and fully equipped kitchen. (A single unit has been prepared for mobility impaired visitors)
- Cottages with two single beds and a double sleeper couch, bathroom (shower), water cooler and fully equipped kitchen.
- Camping sites with barbeque facilities. Communal ablution. 6 sites are without power supply and 24 with power supply.
Mata-Mata Rest Camp
- 2 six-bed family chalets: 2 x two bed bedrooms, two beds in lounge, ceiling fans, shower, toilet, fully equipped kitchen, braai and patio
- 3 two-bed chalets: ceiling fan, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, braai and patio
- 3 park homes/chalavans (two with three beds and one with five beds)
- Camping sites with barbeque facilities. Communal ablution.
Nossob Rest Camp
- Guesthouse: Two units (with inter leading door) that can be booked separately or together for either eight or two groups of four people. One guesthouse has 2 x two-bed bedrooms with ceiling fan, bathroom with shower and basin, separate toilet, kitchen and patio with braai. The other has 1 x two-bed bedroom with ceiling fan, stack bed in lounge, bathroom with shower and hand basin, separate toilet, kitchen and patio with braai.
- 2 x Family Cottages: 2 x two-bed bedrooms, two beds in lounge, ceiling fans, shower, toilet, kitchen and patio with braai.
- 3 x three-bed Cottages: Bedroom, ceiling fan, bathroom with shower, hand basin and toilet, kitchen and patio with braai.
- 7 x two bed Cottages: Bedroom, ceiling fan, bathroom with shower, hand basin and toilet, kitchen and patio with braai.
- 4 x four bed Cottages: Bedroom with two beds, Stack bed on veranda, ceiling fan, bathroom with shower, hand basin and toilet, kitchen and patio with braai.
- Camping sites with barbecue facilities. Communal ablution.
Wilderness Camps
Bitterpan
NB: This camp is NOT fenced and a Tourism Assistant is on duty at all times.
The camp has the following:
- 4 x 2 bed units each with a loose standing bathroom, with a shower, washbasin and toilet. The accessible unit with appropriate ablution facilities are available for visitors with mobility impairment.
- There is a communal kitchen and barbecue area.
- Bedding, towels and cooking and eating utensils are provided.
- There is GAS for hot water and cooking and SOLAR for lighting.
- The walls of each unit are made of reeds and canvas, whereas the roof is a corrugated iron sheet, covered with reeds.
- The camp is built on stilts with a wooden walkway adjoining the units.
- A six-metre lookout tower allows exceptional views over the pan, waterhole and across the dunes.
- The camp can accommodate either groups or single reservations with ease.
Grootkolk
NB: This camp is NOT fenced ans Tourism Assistant is on duty at all times.
The camp has 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 Tent Camp
NB: This camp is NOT fenced and a Tourism Supervisor is on duty at all times.
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.
Due to the high demand for accommodation in Wilderness Camps, three additional camps, with four fully equipped units each, were developed.
Kieliekrankie Wilderness Camp
Guests have to provide their own drinking water and firewood.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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, gas for hot water and braai facilities on a deck.
* All information is taken from the relevant source SANP.
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