Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park : South Africa Nature Reserves : Northern Cape

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa is situated 265km (165 miles) from Upington, which has the nearest airport and car rental agencies. Twee Rivieren is the main camp and centre for park administration.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa is known for its predator sightings and the striking silhouettes of antelope, especially Gemsbok, against the arid landscapes. Families of Meerkat and huge colonies of Sociable Weavers are commonly seen as are Pygmy Falcons that prey on the weavers. There are 5 groups of Kalahari sands in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, ranging from red in the dunes, through to yellow-brown on the pans and riverbeds.

The Kalahari is a semi-arid region with less rain in the southwest than in the northeast. The unreliable and irregular rains fall mostly during dramatic thunderstorms, often accompanied by strong winds and dust-storms. The first rains transform the red dunes - fresh yellow flowers appear followed by green grass.

This period is short lived if the rains do not return. Winter in the Kalahari is a cool, dry season from May to October and then a hot, wet season from November to April. Temperatures can vary dramatically.

Access to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Access to Kgalagadi can be gained through 5 gates in three different countries! From South Africa access is through Twee Rivieren from Namibia through the Mata-Mata gate and from Botswana through the Two Rivers, Mabuasehube and Kaa gates.

Passports are not required for entry, unless departure is planned through a different gate into another country. Tourists wanting to exit the park other than the point of entry must see to all immigration controls at Twee Rivieren / Two Rivers, and note that a 2 day stay in the park is compulsory.

Guests can fly into Upington and hire a vehicle, or fly-in directly. Light aircraft may land on a tarred runway at Twee Rivieren. Prior permission must be obtained from the park.

Distances

NB: Visitors must allow enough travelling time from Twee Rivieren entrance gate, to the other camps. Visitors should arrive in good time as no driving is permitted in the park after dark.

Distance from Upington – 265km (165 miles)

Twee Rivieren – Nossob: 3.5hrs

Twee Rivieren – Mata-Mata: 2.5hrs

Twee Rivieren – Kalahari Tent Camp: 2.5hrs

Twee Rivieren – Grootkolk: 6hrs

Nossob – Union’s End: 3hrs

Nossob – Mata-Mata (over Kamqua dune road): 3.5hrs

Nossob – Bitterpan: 2.5hrs

Bitterpan – Mata-Mata: 2hrs

Nossob – Grootkolk: 2.5hrs

Mata-Mata – Kalahari Tent Camp: 4km (2.5 miles)

Driving instructions

With an advance booking made with a car hire company, it is possible to arrange collection of the rental vehicle from Twee Rivieren. All Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park roads are gravel roads. Regular road maintenance is carried out but sedan cars may not cope with road conditions on certain sections. 4x4 vehicles can travel on all roads and on special routes in the park.

Visitors should carry at least 10 litres of water in their vehicle and in the event of a breakdown, staying in the vehicle is the safest option. Visitors going into the Botswana section of Kgalagadi Tranfrontier Park must have a 4x4 vehicle and travel in convoy.

Directions to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Guests travelling via Upington / Askham will be doing so on a tarred road that is in good condition. Visitors driving from Johannesburg have a choice of 2 routes; either via Upington or via Kuruman, Hotazel and Vanzylsrus (±340km / 211 miles) on a badly corrugated gravel road and travelling at high speed is not advised.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa

Access to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Distances

Driving instructions

Directions to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

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