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While preparing for my road trip through Namibia, I came across the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which is located in South Africa directly to the border with Namibia. I had never heard of this park before so I decided to stay there for a few days. When I started reading about this park it became clear that staying here for just a few days was not a good idea, especially if your primary goal is photography, so eventually I expanded my stay there to five overnight stays.
Here you can order a booklet that can provide you with important information about the Kgalagadi. I think you can order it at the local bookstore aswell
From Windhoek, where my road trip started, the Kgalagadi is to far to reach in a day. I found it irresponsible to drive to the Kgalagadi at once so I made a stop in the Kalahari, at Bagatelle Lodge, a lodge which I can recommend everyone. The next day I drove to Mata Mata Rest camp, a rest camp directly on the border in South Africa. Here I had made a reservation for two nights. After that I intended to go to Twee Rivieren and stay there for two nights aswell and then return to Mata Mata for one night. Reservations for the rest camps in the Kgalagadi can be made here During the tourist season, the available places sell out quickly. I was there in February and at that time there was enough space available.
The roads in the Kgalagadi are most gravel and sand roads. I had a 4WD (with rooftop tent). I have seen 2WD but they had considerably more difficulties with the road, but I have not seen anyone who got stuck. There are fences between the rest camps and the park. The gates open at sunrise and close just after sunset. Times are indicated. When I was there in February the gate opened at 5.30am and closed at 8.30pm. When the gate opens in the morning the camp site is abandoned in a short period of time. The sites on Mata Mata are spacious and there is plenty of shade. There is also a shop, you can refuel, the sanitary facilities are ok and there is a small swimming pool. There is also a waterhole, but it is quite far from the fence of the camp. I didn't bother to spend time there although lions and other game came to drink.
In the Kgalagadi there are two river beds, one from the Nossob river and one from the Auob river. Usually no water flows through the river beds. Water holes have been created along the beds and there is water Is pumped into the water holes. The water holes attract a lot of wildlife, which draws the predators to the water holes. So you have a good chance of encountering a wide variety of game and predators around the water holes. There is a public facebook group where you can see where which game has been seen. I always search for ‘kgalagadi sightings’ to find the group. Very interesting. I have come across predators Like hyena, lions (multiple), cheetahs (multiple). Also jackals and foxes. Lots of birds, like bee eaters, secretary bird, pigeons, sandgrous, all kinds of birds of prey, wagtails, drongos, woodpeckers, finches,….
The bottom line is that you drive through the park at ease, preferably with the window open, so you can hear the sounds of the park (it is very hot and the humidity is extremely low). Meanwhile, scan the area in search of animals. These can be anywhere, in and under trees and bushes, close to the road or further in the vegetation. Also keep an eye on the top of the dunes because a lot of wildlife and also predators prefer to walk over the rim of the dunes, probably because of the good view of the environment they have there. If there is something special going on, there are often some cars standing still, but you also have to be sharp yourself otherwise you will miss a lot of details. The park is not very busy, so it will often take some time before you encounter another car. There are picnic sites throughout the park where you can get out of the car. Keep in mind that the sites are not fenced so the animals can get there to.
