5 Nights Kgalagadi Safari

A example of a Kgalagadi Safari I did recently for my clients.A Kgalagadi Safari can be of any length.However distances are long ie its about 3 hours from the airport to the park,from the park gate to the upper area its about 3 to 4 hours etc.

What this all means is that with a 4 nights safari in the park its best to allocate 5 or 6 nights dependent on flight schedules.

Honest disclosure-this is one of my favorite parks.The semi arid landscape,the animals, bird life…its so uniquely different.

The area around Upington is the worlds 2nd largest grape collective.It has so many small towns dotted with lush vineyards on either side of the Orange river.Easy to add some wine tasting in.

5 Nights Kgaglagadi Safari details:

Day 1

Scheduled Flight One way, Cape Town to Upington

Avis SA Group K car Premium cover (Hyundai IX35/similar)

On arrival at Upington Airport, you collect your Group K rental car (Hyundai IX35 or similar, with manual transmission, air-conditioning, power-steering and CD player).

All except UK

All international customers (only English-speaking countries are exempt) now need an international driver’s license in order to rent a car in South Africa. Please note that customers must convert their driver’s license into an international driver’s license in their country of origin. This cannot be converted once in South Africa. Should an international customer not be able to produce their international driver’s license, the rental cannot proceed.

Spend 1 Night at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp.

Twee Rivieren Rest Camp – Cottage, Room Only

Twee Rivieren Rest camp is the largest rest camp and administrative base of the Kalahari Gemsbok Park, which forms part of the huge Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, also includes the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana.

Twee Rivieren has six-bed family cottages with two bedrooms, living room and one bathroom (with shower); three and four-bed family cottages with one bedroom, living room and bathroom (with shower); and also cottages with two single beds and a sleeper couch (for children under 12 years) and bathroom (with shower).

All have air-conditioning and fully equipped kitchens. The rest camp also has a swimming pool (partially shaded), restaurant, information centre, shop and public telephone.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

The vast Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a land of desert red dunes, endless horizons and huge skies. Kgalagadi means ‘land of thirst’ and this hauntingly beautiful region has a special appeal all of its own.

The 38,000km² park represents a vast ecosystem relatively free of human influence and facilitates the seasonal migration of wildlife in search of water and the movement of free-roaming predators.

In the heat of the day, desert-adapted black-maned Kalahari lions shelter beneath shady bushes and leopards take refuge in the branches of camelthorn trees. It is also home to cheetah, hyena and immense herds of springbok, gemsbok, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest and eland.

Nowhere in South Africa are you more likely to see cheetah than in the dry river beds – glorious in late summer and autumn, when the thorn bushes and shepherd trees are green and the grasses golden yellow.

The open terrain is heaven for wildlife photographers. For this reason it is also one of the finest areas in South Africa for viewing birds of prey.

The red sand dunes, sparse vegetation and the dry riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob show antelope and their predators to spectacular advantage. Particular ‘specials’ of the park include:

– Gemsbok, large striking desert antelope who are the emblem of the park;

– Suricate (Meerkat), these hyperactive little omnivores have a wonderfully intricate family structure.

– Black-maned Kalahari Lions, the kings of the Kalahari Desert.

– Sociable weavers, the busy little birds construct huge communal nests

– Pygmy falcons, the park is famous for its birds of prey. This is the smallest falcon in Africa and is often seen around Sociable Weaver colonies preying on the birds.

Day 2/3

Today you leave your rental car at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp.

You are collected for a road transfer from Twee Rivieren to Polentswa Camp. This transfer will take approximately 5-6 hours of safri drive as you are in the park the whole way.

Ta Shebube Polentswa Camp, Standard Tent, Fully Inclusive

Polentswa is located 222 km from Two Rivers along the predator rich Nossob Valley on the Botswana side of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

The camp is nestled amongst tall trees and dwarf scrubs overlooking the Polentswa Pan with its waterhole and exciting game.

Polentswa is a classic tented camp capturing the romance of this nostalgic bygone era.

Nestled on top of a valley with far reaching views over Polentswa Pan known for its magnificent sunsets, the main building is on an elevated deck to catch the breeze and positioned under a canvas roof.

Here guests can either recline with a sundowner and a good book from the camp’s well stocked library, watch the game visiting the camp’s waterhole or merely contemplate the desert.

In contrast to Rooiputs, Polentswa’s accommodation comprises of classic safari tents, all built on raised wooden platforms and under enormous canvas roofs that also encompass a spacious private veranda and an open air hot water shower.

The tents will be originally furnished to reflect the spirit and essence of an authentic tented safari camp.

Ta Shebube’s unique desert safari delves deep into the Kgalagadi – a remote, unspoilt and undiscovered treasure trove with respect to its isolated desert and solitude feel, rugged scenic beauty, the abundance and variety of wildlife, wilderness trails and culture.

During this quintessential safari, guests traverse the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park which is characterised by its red rolling sand dunes, the arid fossil river environment of the predator-rich Nossob River valley, open Acacia savannas, grassy plains and vegetated pans.

The dry river beds with its multitude of waterholes show predators and antelopes off at a premium and provide excellent photographic opportunities.

Predators are the area’s big attraction and include the black maned Kalahari lion, leopard, cheetah, brown and spotted hyena, jackal and wildcat.

Due to its extremely remote location and harsh terrain the park gets relatively few visitors making it ideal for dedicated game-viewers, bird-watchers, photographic opportunities and for guests seeking a desert and solitude feel. The area is malaria free.

Day 4

Today you are transferred from Polentswa Camp to Rooiputs Camp. This transfer will take approximately 4 hours which is a 4 hour safari drive as you will stop at sightings along the way.

Ta Shebube Rooiputs Camp, Standard Chalet, Fully Inclusive

The Rooiputs private concession area is located within the captivating Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on the Botswana side, 25 km north of Two Rivers (Twee Rivieren).

Situated off the predator-rich Nossob valley, the lodge is perched along a mature red sand dune, overlooking a busy water hole.

The main open fronted lodge is set under thatch on an elevated expansive wooden deck and constructed out of a clever combination of canvas and wood and decorated with an eclectic mix of rich ethnic African furnishings.

Day 5

Today you area transferred from Rooiputs Camp to Twee Rivieren Rest Camp. The transfer from Rooiputs to Twee Rivieren is approximately 30 minutes.

You collect your rental car at twee Rivieren and drive to Upington where you spend the night.

Le Must Residence – Superior Room, Breakfast

Le Must Residence is a five star guesthouse, offering the best accommodation in Upington.

Situated in a large garden, Le Must Residence is a haven of peace and tranquillity upon the Orange River embankment and yet within walking distance to town.

The ten bedrooms vary in size and are individually decorated with white percale linen, safes, satellite television, air-conditioning and a mixture of beautiful antique and contemporary furniture.

Some offer private balconies and the deluxe suite has a beautiful view over the oval pool and river.

The lodge is filled with fine antiques, offer a period ambience with a conservatory for morning tea; a welcome swimming pool and an array of birds in the garden including the spotted white owl and vlei loerie.

While staying in Upington, you may like to visit the interesting Kalahari-Oranje Museum which is housed in an old church and mission station, or enjoy a tour & winetasting at the Orange River Wine Co-operative.

Upington

Upington is the principal town of the North-west Cape and lies on the banks of the Orange River. The Orange River, the largest river in South Africa, provides ample irrigation water for the intensely cultivated agricultural land around Upington.

This narrow strip of cultivated land contrasts dramatically with the arid landscapes away from the riverbanks.

Table Grapes, cotton, lucerne, wheat, raisins as well as karakul sheep, goats and cattle are all farmed here.

Day 6

Today you drive to Upington Airport where you drop your rental car and board your onward flight.