Kalahari Gemsbok National park is the South African section of the greater
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
bordering
Gemsbok National park of Botswana
. The two parks combined form the largest protected area in southern Africa cutting through the dry area of
Kalahari Desert
for stretch of more than 35,000km² in red sand dunes, sparse desert vegetation and the dry river beds of Nossob and Auob river where the wildlife congregates for the dry season.
Wildlife
Kalahari Gemsbok National park covers an area of 9510sq km and is home to several lion prides led by black maned males, leopards hiding away in the shady bushes, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, gemsbok, impala, duiker, waterbuck and the suricate among other animals.
Some of the birds within the park include pygmy falcons, sociable weavers and many other raptors.
Getting there
The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park is situated approximately 260 km from Upington in the far northern Cape and 904 km from Johannesburg. Tourists have a choice of two routes, either via Upington (60 km gravel) or via Kuruman. Hotazel and Van Zylsrus (approximately 300 km gravel). However, only 4wd are allowed within the park.
Light aircrafts and charters are allowed with landing at the airstrip at Twee Rivieren.
Accomodation
There are three rest camps within the park; Two Rivieren, Mata Mata and Nossob.
Twee Rivieren
with some notable facilities like laundry, neat bed rooms, swimming pool, well stocked bars, and more.
Twee Rivieren Rest camp
is the main camp with six bed family cottage, two bedrooms, bathrooms with running water, living room, air conditioning and fully equipped kitchen. Bungalows with two single beds and a double sleeper coach, bathroom (shower), air conditioning and fully equipped kitchen. It doubles as the park’s headquarters with tourist camp, swimming pool, a few shops, and fresh produce market. You’ll find fuel and any other supplies from Twee Rivieren Camp.
Mata Mata Rest camp
is on the South African border with Namibia on the road from Twee Rivieren. It has six bed family cottage, two bedrooms, shower bathrooms, living room and fully equipped kitchen. Three bed chalets with communal ablution facilities. Out door camping is also allowed in the camp.
Nossob Rest Camp
is built on the banks of Nossob river bordering Botswana, north of Twee Rivieren camp. There are six bed family cottages, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room and fully equipped kitchen. There are also 3 grass thatched cottages within the camp. Camping is alsoallowed