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| South Africa: What to see | |||
| Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park | |||
>see photographs Best known for Formerly known as Kalahari Gemsbok, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is now the largest conservation area in Southern Africa. It is labelled Africa's 'SuperPark' and animals move freely across the border between South African and Botswana from the former adjacent Mabuaselube Gemsbok National Park. These two Parks merged in 1999 to form the Kgalagadi and create what is known as a land of nomadic antelope herds. Location Kgalagadi is located in the Northern Cape in the triangular segment of South Africa between Namibia and Botswana. Size Now South Africa's largest Park, it covers an area of 36 000 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 including a large number of raptors. 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 125 ml (5 inches). The days are very hot in summer reaching up to 40 C, mainly as a result of the meagre rainfall. Winter is mild and cool, reaching fairly low temparatures at night. When to go It is better to visit the Park in late winter, early spring, between April and July, when the temperatures are lower during the day and game viewing is better in the dry river-beds. The Park is open throughout the year from sunrise to sunset, 5.30 am in summer and 6.30 am in winter. Activities Game viewing, bird watching, guide walks. 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 Take the R32 from Upington towards Namibia and the gate is found off here on the R360. 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. |
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