Motorhome tour in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Our trip to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park begins in Upington, the largest town in the north of the Northern Cape. Located on the Orange River, Upington exudes the tranquility of a provincial town. There is a wide selection of stores, ideal for replenishing your supplies and preparing yourself for a trip to the most remote part of South Africa.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, the former Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, is located in the southern part of the Kalahari Desert. It is the first transfrontier national park in Africa, on the border with Botswana and Namibia. There are few fences, allowing the animals to move freely in search of food and water. The park's two rivers, the Auob and Nossob rivers, are mostly dry.
Our RV trip in South Africa
On our first day, we follow the dry riverbed of the Nossob River, continuously crossing the border with Botswana. Due to recent rains, it is surprisingly green, something we didn't quite expect in the desert. Along the way we see lots of hartebeest and gemsbok. We also see a lioness walking in the riverbed and huge numbers of birds of prey.
We spend the night at Nossob Camp, the farthest Rest Camp from the park entrance. The next day we drive to Mata-Mata Rest Camp, on the border with Namibia. In doing so, we drive through an area of beautiful red dunes. This is what the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is known for and I think it is amazingly beautiful! We also see here very different animals not found in the rest of the park, such as a small steenbok and the Northern Black Korhaan. At Mata-Mata we suddenly see lots of giraffes walking. In the evening we are treated to thunderstorms with enormous amounts of lightning. Never seen so much lightning before.
Fortunately, it is dry again the next day when we set out again. We first follow the dry riverbed of the Auob River and again cross the red dunes on our way to the Two Rivers Rest Camp. A day with few kilometers so we can spend some more time looking at the various water sites. Tonight no rain but a beautiful starry sky, like you can only see in Africa. Wow! On the last day we take a bonus tour of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. I want so badly to see another cheetah and get a wonderful parting gift! We see a cheetah approaching from the riverbed to a waterhole. Awesome!
Now we can return to Upington where we end our adventure at the Irish pub on the Orange River. We slept in chalets at the Rest Camps. However, you can also camp here.
Keep in mind that your phone in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has no reception and wifi, when available, is very slow.
Tips from Diana: For a trip to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, we recommend renting a 4WD vehicle, as the roads in the park are sometimes in poor condition.
At the Rest Camps, you can also fill up with gasoline. In Askham is the last opportunity to refuel outside the park. All Rest Camps have small stores, the one in Two Rivers is a bit larger. However, we recommend that you stock up in Upington in advance. At Twee Rivieren Rest Camp you will also find a restaurant.