 |
Home>Botswana>What to see | 
|
|||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
||
| Botswana: What to see | |||
| Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park | |||
>see photographs Best known for The first gazetted "African Peace Park", Kgalagadi was established in 1999, as an amalgamation of Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and Kalahari Gemsbok Park in South Africa. At the heart of transfrontier conservation is the consolidation of large game protected areas spanning two or more countries, without boundaries, in order to re-establish game stock and traditional migration trails. While conservationists focus on wildlife and land preservation, politicians seek to use them to build relationships with neighbouring nations, hence the name "Peace Parks". Size and Location Located in the remote south-western corner of Botswana, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park spans the border with South Africa, across the Nossob River, covering an area of 36000 square km. Wildlife Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is famed for large herds of springbok and wildebeest, the desert adapted gemsbok and the huge, black-maned Kalahari Lion. Kudu, grey duiker, red hartebeest and steenbok can be seen, while eland and impala are rare. Other predators found in this area include cheetah, leopard, both brown and spotted hyena, with wild dog less common, but known to exist. Smaller animals, like the cape and bat eared fox, yellow, slender and banded mongoose, honey badger, aardwolf, polecat, pangolin and genet also occur. More than 260 species of bird are found with Cape cobra's sometimes seen raiding weaver's nests. Environment and vegetation Semi-desert savannah and denuded grasslands amongst sand dunes whose crests are covered with grey camelthorn bushes and Kalahari couch grass. The dry riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob Rivers cut through this arid region, which is ground covered by an attractive yellow flower during summer, the devil's thorn. This plant invades a denuded area and, as such, is a sign of previous over utilisation of an area. Moisture, for survival of the wildlife, comes from the tsamma melon and gemsbok cucumber. Climate Annual rainfall seldom exceeds 125ml (5 inches). In winter, days are hot and nights bitterly cold. In summer, days are scorching with the cooler nights a welcome relief. Game viewing is best from March to early May when wildlife comes to the riverbeds for food and water, however, it is reasonable all year round. When to go March to May after the rains when sightings of antelope are most common. Activities Game drives in 4x4 vehicles, guided walks, birding. Accommodation There are no lodges or permanent camps in the Botswana area, although there are three established rest camps with air-conditioned chalets on the South African side: Twee Rivieren, Mata Mata and Nossob. For campers, National Parks have established campsites at Polentswa in the northern section and Mabuasehube section has camp sites at Mabuasehube Pan, Mpayathutlwa Pan, Khiding Pan, Leshologo Pan, Monamodi Pans and Bosobogolo Pan. How to get there By road If coming from Gaborone take the Jwaneng road west to Tshabong After this it's 4WD in from the south via Twee Rivieren. The Park is also best approached from the South African side via main tar to Hotazel and then 4WD via Bokspits and Twee Rivieren. By air There is an airstrip at Tshabong. Precautions If self-driving, the Kalahari must be taken very seriously in terms of being equipped with water, fuel and all other supplies and equipment. It is a remote area and you may not see other traffic for some time. The sandy roads can also be challenging even to competent drivers. Experienced travellers generally travel in a party of two vehicles. |
|||
| TOP | |||
|
||||||
|
||||||
 |
||||||
|
||||||