Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - a natureserve the size of Denmark!

Kgalagadi, a hidden gem in Kalahari Desert 

Son relaxing at Gharagab Wilderness Camp,
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, 2015.

Everything is just bigger in Africa. Today, we are at the Mata Mata border post about to venture into Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a vast wildlife preserve and conservation area in southern Africa nearly the size of Denmark at 38,000 square kilometers! We are in the border area between Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. The park is largely situated within the southern Kalahari Desert, characterized by impressive and beautiful red dunes, sparse vegetation, occasional trees, and the hallmarks — the dry riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob Rivers. These rivers are said to flow only about once per century. However, water flows underground, providing life for grass and trees growing in riverbeds. Additionally, the rivers may flow briefly after large thunderstorms.

Sparse vegetation, occasional trees,
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, 2015.

In 2015, my son and I took a father-son trip to the area (link post). I fell completely in love with the area and promised myself that I would return with my wife in the future. And now we are here, very excited to visit the park and try the Nossob Eco 4x4 trail, popular among 4x4 enthusiasts (see later posts).

Wildlife and predetors

Ostriches, Kgalagadi, 2015.

We also look forward to enjoying the nature and wildlife. According to Wiki, Kgalagadi has abundant wildlife with over 470 documented species, including large predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, spotted hyenas, and brown hyenas. But also smaller mammals including African wildcats, bat-eared foxes, Cape foxes, black-backed jackals, caracals, genets, honey badgers, as well as meerkats and mongooses.

Brown hyenas, Kgalagadi, 2015. 

Cape fox, Kgalagadi, 2015

My son and I saw many interesting species last time we visited and had the "pleasure" of lions outside the tent (link blog).

Lions, Kgalagadi, 2015

You can also see large ungulates [hovdyr], such as blue wildebeests, gemsboks, springboks, steenboks, southern giraffes, common elands, greater kudus, warthogs, klipspringers, and red hartebeests.

It is also a bird lover's paradise, Kgalagadi, 2015.

And over 30 reptile and amphibian species, including venomous snakes such as the Cape cobra, horned adder, puff adder, and black mamba. So watch where you walk and what you touch! You also find, for example, leopard tortoises, various agamas, geckos, sand frogs, and African bullfrogs.

Since 2005, the protected area has been considered a Lion Conservation Unit and a lion stronghold in Southern Africa. Fortunately, we are in a rooftop tent, but even that is not a 100% guarantee, as you can read in this "scary" post (link blog).

The Weather

We are visiting in September and expect a mean temperature of 18°C (64°F) with lows/highs of 8-29°C. However, extremes measured are between -5 and 38°C, respectively! See climate data for Kgalagadi at this link (link). And come prepared with plenty of water and the right equipment. Also, because help might be hours to days away given it's a wilderness the size of Denmark

Facilities

Kalahari Tented Camp, Kgalagadi, 2015.

First of all, book well in advance! There are very few places to stay in the park, and they sell out one year in advance the moment they are released. Join the Kgalagadi Facebook groups to learn the tricks of securing accommodation. You can stay in the three tourist lodges called "rest camps," which are serviced lodges with amenities such as air conditioning, shops, and swimming pools. Alternatively, and much better in my opinion, opt for the reasonably priced wilderness camps in the park. The wilderness camps provide excellent shelter; for example, see our experiences and pictures from Gharagab (link blog) and Grootkolk (link blog). You have to supply your own food, drinking water, and firewood! (Basically everything). Read more about the park and booking at Sanparks link

Source: Kgalagadi_map.pdf (sanparks.org)