Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) is a large wildlife preserve and conservation area in southern Africa. The park straddles the border between South Africa and Botswana and comprises two adjoining national parks:
The amalgamation of South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Botswana’s Gemsbok National Park on 12 May 2000 gave birth to the 3.6 million hectare Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Kgalagadi means place of thirst. The park is located largely within the southern Kalahari Desert. 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.
Weather Essentials
Month | High Temp. | Low Temp. | Rain | Weather | Season |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
January | 35°C | 19°C | 4.5 cm | ![]() |
Summer |
February | 34°C | 19°C | 4.8 cm | ![]() |
Summer |
March | 32°C | 17°C | 4.6 cm | ![]() |
Summer |
April | 29°C | 13°C | 3.7 cm | ![]() |
Summer |
May | 25°C | 6°C | 0.8 cm | ![]() |
Winter |
June | 22°C | 2°C | 0 cm | ![]() |
Winter |
July | 22°C | 1°C | 0 cm | ![]() |
Winter |
August | 25°C | 2°C | 0 cm | ![]() |
Winter |
September | 29°C | 7°C | 0.4 cm | ![]() |
Winter |
October | 31°C | 12°C | 1.3 cm | ![]() |
Winter |
November | 33°C | 15°C | 2 cm | ![]() |
Summer |
December | 35°C | 18°C | 2.3 cm | ![]() |
Summer |
Wildlife viewing at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is very good all year round but it is at its best when the rain ends and the animals congregate around the riverbeds making for easier sightings. Out of 12 months, May / June / July are supposed to be the best months.
Self-driven game viewing and relaxing around a campfire is the most conventional attraction/activity in any national park. At Kgalagadi, other activities includes:
Guided sunset drive – Depart at dusk and watch the sunset bring the warm Kalahari sands to life and return to camp under the cover of darkness. The radiant star- and moonlight contrast spectacularly against the jet-black sky.
Morning Walk – Participate in the natural beauty of a Kalahari dawn by going on an early morning walk. An informative field guide will share secrets of this thirsty land with you as the day gently unfolds.
Months of May, June & July are supposed to be the best time to visit KTP, when the rain ends and the animals congregate around the riverbeds making for easier sightings. Be mindful of the severe winter conditions during these months as the temperature can dip below freezing at night.
Camping – There are different types of camping options available at KTP. 6 traditional rest camps, 3 wilderness camps and 1 luxury rest camp is available on the South Africa side of KTP:
Check Accommodation Availability
Number of chalets – 31
Maximum people per chalet – 1x6p, 22x4p, 2x3p & 6×2 people
Camping sites 24 with electrical points and 6 without
Power source Electricity, 240v, 15amp, 24 hours
Supplies – The shop at Twee Rivieren is well stocked
Other facilities – ATM, Gas Station (Petrol & Diesel), Swimming pool, restaurant, main Reception and border control
Activities – Guided morning and sunset drives, guided morning walks
Waterholes close to Twee Rivieren
(i) Samevloeiing
Wake up early and sit tight to meet the waterhole’s resident leopard in morning light. In the meantime, witness gemsbok duel with their mighty horns, or a wobbling honey badger as it makes its way to the water’s edge. It’s a productive spot – you could spend the entire day here and see red hartebeest, caracal and black-maned lions.
Location: 10 km north of Twee Rivieren (S26 26 6.32 E20 37 30.59)
(ii) Houmoed
If a brown hyena sighting is what you’re after, drive to Houmoed waterhole before dusk and park at the southern tip of the Auob riverbed. Spotted hyena are also regular visitors – given that they have dens close to both Houmoed and Lijersdraai waterholes – but it can be tricky to get photos since they often appear after sunset.
Location: about 28 km north of Twee Rivieren (S26 20 21.5 E20 35 27.3)
(iii) Monro
Keep an eye out for the majestic Kgalagadi lion, or the odd ostrich coming in for a sip.
Location: about 36 km north of Twee Rivieren on the Auob River (S26 17 28.7 E20 34 59.5)
Check Accommodation Availability
Number of chalets – 15
Max people per chalet – 7x2p, 4x4p, 2×6 people
Camping sites 20 with electrical points
Power source Electricity, 240v, 15amp, 05:00-23:00
Supplies – The shop at Mata-Mata has basic supplies
Other facilities – Gas Station (Petrol & Diesel), Swimming pool, bird hide, Port of Entry to Namibia
Activities – Guided morning and sunset drives
Waterholes close to Mata-Mata
(i) Craig Lockhart
You won’t have to crane your necks to see giraffe approach for a drink – the region’s population of more than 30 giraffe favours the various acacia trees seen around the waterhole.
Location: about 15km south of Mata-Mata (S25 51 55.4 E20 06 10.5)
(ii) 13th & 14th Boreholes
The 13th and 14th boreholes are a great place for birders: regular visitors include the rufous-cheeked nightjar, barn owl, vultures, bateleur, Verreaux’s eagle-owl, and ostrich. Patience will yield bigger payoffs – the Cape fox, spotted hyena, eland, lions and an occasional leopard. Meanwhile, the fields around the boreholes are popular with grazers like wildebeest and look particularly photogenic in the evening light.
Location: between Urikaruus and Mata-Mata (13th Borehole: S25 58 14.0 E20 16 43.8 / 14th Borehole: S25 56 46.7 E20 13 05.4)
Check Accommodation Availability
Number of chalets – 18
Maximum people per chalet – 2x6p, 6x4p, 2x3p and 8×2 people
Camping sites 20 with electrical points
Power source Electricity, 240v, 15amp, 05:00-23:00
Supplies – The shop at Nossob is very basic
Other facilities – Gas Station (Petrol & Diesel), Predator information centre
Activities – Guided morning and sunset drives
Waterholes close to Nossob
(i) Kwang
You’ll see everything from lions to blue wildebeest at the Kwang waterhole and shots can be particularly lovely if you wait for evening’s sunset hues to silhouette your subjects.
Location: 20 km north of Nossob (S25 17 57.49 E20 31 46.83)
(ii) Bedinkt
Looking for cheetah and other big cats? Look no further than Bedinkt waterhole. Here you’ll also see leopard and lions, as well as not-so-big “kats” – the meerkat to be exact.
Location: 35 km north of Nossob (S25 13 32.22 E20 29 6.87)
(iii) Marie se draai
This is a great waterhole to photograph in evening light, and you may spot some of the Kgalagadi’s rather shy kudu. According to staff at Nossob, park visitors are more likely to see a leopard than a herd of kudu.
Location: 10 km south of Nossob (S25 27 8.14 E20 40 17.62)
(iv) Rooikop
Trees and bushes can obscure this waterhole from clear view, so photographers will have to spend time finding good angles through the branches. Keep your eyes peeled for subtle signs of life – though fairly common throughout the park, the African monarch butterfly can prove a pretty photo for those who’ve taken their fill of larger game.
Location: 5 km south of Nossob (S25 27 4.77 E20 36 54.13)
Visitors to Bitterpan should please note the following:
Check Accommodation Availability
Number of chalets – 4
Maximum people per chalet 2 people
Power source Solar and gas (no conventional plugs)
Supplies Both Nossob and Mata-Mata are under 60km away
Other facilities – Raised viewing platform (6 meter high) and a private circular drive route
Waterhole – about 100 meters from the cabins
Check Accommodation Availability
Number of chalets – 4
Maximum people per chalet 2 people
Power source Solar and gas (no conventional plugs)
Supplies The closest shop and fuel is at Nossob which is 2.5 hours by car to the south
Other facilities – A communal kitchen, dining room and braai place allow 8 people to socialise together
Waterhole – about 70 meters from the cabins
Visitors to Kalahari Tent Camp should please note the following:
Check Accommodation Availability
Number of chalets – 15
Maximum people per chalet – 4x4p and 11×2 people
Power source – Solar and gas (no conventional plugs)
Supplies – Fuel and a small shop are close-by (3km) at Mata-Mata
Other facilities – Swimming pool
Waterhole – about 120 meters from the cabins
Check Accommodation Availability
Number of units – 4
Maximum people per chalet – 2 people
Power source – Solar and gas (no conventional plugs)
Supplies – Twee Rivieren is a little over an hour’s drive away
Waterhole – about 120 meters from the cabins
Check Accommodation Availability
Number of chalets – 4
Maximum people per chalet – 2 people
Power source – Solar and gas (no conventional plugs)
Supplies – The Twee Rivieren shop is a 2 hour drive away
Other facilities – The units are linked by a raised boardwalk
Waterhole – about 50 meters from the cabins
Check Accommodation Availability
Number of chalets – 4
Maximum people per chalet – 2 people
Power source – Solar and gas (no conventional plugs)
Supplies – The closest shop and fuel is at Nossob which is 3 hours south by car
Other facilities – Raised viewing platform and short drives to Gharagab (4km) & Dankbaar (18km) waterholes
Waterhole – about 70 meters from the cabins
NOTE: Children under the age of 12 are not allowed at any of the park’s Wilderness camps listed above.
Check Accommodation Availability
Number of beds – 24
Maximum people per room – 2 people
Power source – Self-generated electricity (5 hours a day)
Supplies – All meals are catered for by the lodge. A curio shop sells artworks made by the ‡Khomani San
Activities – Early morning guided dune walks, visiting ‡Khomani San crafters, sunset drive with sundowners on the dunes, night game drives & star gazing through telescopes
Visit www.xauslodge.co.za for more information.
Apart from these there are 2 more private camps on the Botswana side worth considering:
For bookings & other enquires related to these Botswana camps, you can contact Ta Shebube
Considering the limited number of accommodation available, some of the wilderness camps are fully booked 11 months in advance. Keeping this in mind, plan your travel & bookings well in advance.
Distances between various camps for travel planning
From | To | Travel Time |
---|---|---|
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp | Nossob Rest Camp | 3.5 hrs |
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp | Mata-Mata Rest Camp | 2.5 hrs |
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp | Kalahari Tent Camp | 2.5 hrs |
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp | Grootkolk Wilderness Camp | 6 hrs |
Nossob Rest Camp | Union’s End | 3 hrs |
Nossob Rest Camp | Mata-Mata Rest Camp (over Kamqua dune road) | 3.5 hrs |
Nossob Rest Camp | Bitterpan Wilderness Camp | 2.5 hrs |
Bitterpan Wilderness Camp | Mata-Mata Rest Camp | 2 hrs |
Nossob Rest Camp | Grootkolk Wilderness Camp | 2.5 hrs |
Mata-Mata Rest Camp | Kalahari Tent Camp | 10 min |
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park spans over two countries: South Africa and Botswana. Except for some basic campsites, there are no facilities on the Botswana side and most visitors to the park go to the South Africa side. O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg is where most will arrive when visiting South Africa. Kgalagadi is located approximately 904 km. from Johannesburg. It is possible to rent a car in Johannesburg and drive from there, or you could take a connecting flight into Upington Airport (UTN) in the far Northern Cape. The distance from Upington to the Kgalagadi is 250 km.
Johannesburg -> Upington -> Twee Rivieren Rest Camp (Kgalagadi) is the most common route taken by most tourists visiting Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park from the South African side.
There are two entrance gates for the South Africa side. The first is the Twee Rivieren Gate in the south, which acts as border post with the Two Rivers gate on the Botswana side. The second is the Mata-Mata Gate, which can be entered from Namibia. Airstrips for chartered flights are available at Twee Rivieren and Nossob Camp and hired cars can be collected at Twee Rivieren if prior arrangements are made with a car rental company.
Most of the roads in the South African part of the park are accessible with an ordinary car, but high clearance (SUV or pick-up type vehicle) is preferred. Even then, it is possible to get stuck on the sandy roads, so some people might choose to play it safe and hire a 4×4.
Park Gate Timings
Month | Open | Close |
---|---|---|
January | 06:00 | 19:30 |
February | 06:00 | 19:30 |
March | 06:30 | 19:00 |
April | 07:00 | 18:30 |
May | 07:00 | 18:00 |
June | 07:30 | 18:00 |
July | 07:30 | 18:00 |
August | 07:00 | 18:30 |
September | 06:30 | 18:30 |
October | 06:00 | 19:00 |
November | 05:30 | 19:30 |
December | 05:30 | 19:30 |
Wild Card membership gives you one year’s unlimited access to the Wild partner parks, reserves and resorts, depending on the type of cluster you choose. Membership is available for an individual (one person over 18 years of age), couple (any 2 people – 2 adults or 1 adult and 1 child) or family (2 adults and up to 5 children under 18 years of age), while foreign visitors can get International Wild Card membership.
International visitors may purchase only an International All Parks Cluster unless in possession of a valid South African residence/work permit. International All Parks Cluster provides access to 80+ parks & reserves around Southern Africa in the SANParks, Msinsi, EKZN Wildlife, CapeNature and Swazi Clusters Parks.
Individual | Couple | Family |
---|---|---|
R 2,450 | R 3,830 | R 4,585 |