NORTHERN CAPE ACCOMMODATION NATIONAL PARKS
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one of the world’s last unspoilt ecosystems. The Park is a result of the unification of South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok Park and Botswana’s Gemsbok National Park. The Kgalagadi, at 3.7 million hectares, is one of the largest conservation areas in the world. Red sand dunes with sparse vegetation and the dry riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob in which thorn tree, raisin bush and shepherd tree predominate, extend across the national boundaries.
The park gives sanctuary to herds of endemic antelope, such as gemsbok (oryx), springbok, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest and eland, that have roamed the semidesert savannah and endless pans for thousands of years. The famours black-maned Kalahari lion, leopard, cheetah and smaller game including mongooses, porcupine and honey badger, 58 mammal species, 55 reptile species, countless insect species and a host of plant species share the desert and dry savannah landscape. The endless blue skys are shared by about 300 species of bird, including at least 20 species of large raptor.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park consists of three traditional rest camps.
- The main rest camp is Twee Rivieren which has chalets, camping facilities, night drives, guided day walks, an information centre, restaurant, shop, fuel and a swimming pool.
- Nossob offers chalets, camping, night drives, guided day walks as well as a predator information centre.
- Mata-Mata has new chalets, a shop, fuel, guided day walks and night drives.
The six new upmarket unfenced wilderness camps allow visitors to feel at one with the Kalahari.
- Kalahari Tented Camp has 15 fully equipped, self-catering units, sleeping two to four people and a swimming pool The camp overlooks the waterhole in the ancient Auob River.
- Grootkolk is small and exclusive, only 20km from Unions End. This is the prime predator area.
- Kielie Krankie, situated on a high dune, has stunning views over the sand dunes. Four two-bed units overlook a waterhole.
- Urikaruuus, on the banks of the Auob River, is a lofted camp with four two-bed units that also overlooks a waterhole.
- Two camps, Bitterpan and Gharagab, are only accessible by 4x4. Bitterpan, small and exclusive, is surrounded only by the silence of the great Kalahari, with four two-bed units and Gharagab, just north of Nossob, has four two-bed units that open up to beautiful Kalahari tree and savanna veld.
A passport is not needed to enjoy the Botswana side as long as entry and exit is made through the same gate.
Camping in Botswana is available at Polentswa, Rooiputs and Two Rivers. There are two 4x4 routes: Wildernis and Nossob Mabuasehube.
- For reservations to camp on the Botswana side of the Park, and to book the wilderness trail contact: The Parks and Reserves Reservation Office:
Tel 09 (from South Africa) 267 580774Fax 09 267 580775- For reservations to stay on the South African side contact: The South African National Parks Call Centre:
Tel 012 428 9111 Fax 012 343 0905E-mail reservations@sanparks.org- To contact the Park
Tel 054 561 2000 Fax 054 561 2005.Learn more at Safarinow
The Augrabies Falls National Park is where the Orange River is at its most impressive as it thunders its way through a ravine and into a pool walled by sheer granite, creating the world’s sixth largest waterfall.
The falls derived their name from the Khoi word meaning ‘place of great noise’ which accurately describes the roar as the falls plummet 56m into the ravine. This arid piece of moonscape-like land, awesome and strikingly beautiful, offers the visitor over 15 000ha of unique riverine ecosystems to explore.
The park is essentially a scenic park but various animals and indigenous trees can be seen. Do not plan on just nipping in to see the main falls as there is much more to be seen, experienced and done in the rest of the Park.
Various exciting new eco-adventure packages are available to the visitor such as:
- self-drive game drives,
- night drives,
- the short Dassie Nature Trail
- the 3-day Klipspringer Hiking Trail (closed 1 Oct - 31 March) that takes the hiker from the plateau and into the depths of the gorge.
And for those who seek still more excitement go on the !Garib 3-in-one Adventure which includes canoeing in the gorge, hiking out of it and a mountain bike ride back to the rest camp.
Giraffe, klipspringer and other game are frequently seen while game driving in the park. Accommodation is in self-catering luxurious chalets and there are swimming pools to refresh in after a day’s outing.
Travellers can also make use of the à la carte restaurant and curio shop
- For reservations contact The South African National Parks Call Centre:
Tel 012 428 9111 Fax 012 343 0905E-mail reservations@sanparks.org- For more information contact the park
Tel 054 452 9200 orFax 054 451 5003Learn more at Safarinow
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