Why the Kalahari...

The openness and lack of tall grass allows easy spotting of animals while the summer thunderstorms provide dramatic backdrops...

Kalahari Lightning

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is such a dramatic contrast to other parks, such as the Kruger, and its open spaces provide excellent opportunities for photographers.

The Kalahari is most famous for its predator sightings and in particular for its huge black-maned lions...

HDR image of Drinking lions

This male lion in the image below had, with his pride, killed four wildebeest the night before and they feasted on the carcasses near Mata Mata camp for two days. They were at the base of a dune next to the road so no 'bazooka' lenses were needed - a 300mm or 400mm lens was more than adequate!

Kalahari Lion with wildebeest kill

Here is some basic info on the Park and why we love going there:

Auchterlonie museum and waterhole

• The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa was proclaimed in 1931 and covered about 9500 square kilometers with Namibia on the western border and Botswana on the eastern border. The park is situated in the Northern Cape province of South Africa and now, together with the adjacent Gemsbok National Park in Botswana, this Transfrontier Park comprises an area of about 38000 square kilometers

• The park is about 920 kilometers from Johannesburg so it takes at least one day to get there, hence a safari stopover is recommended. 

• The name Kgalagadi means "land of thirst" or "Thirstland" and is where the original name was obviously derived

• There are only gravel roads in the park – these roads can get very rutted but the park staff do regularly level the roads. You will be pleased to know that the 60 km stretch of road leading up to the park gate has finally been tarred – this was the most uncomfortable road to drive!

• There are 10 camps/lodges on the South African side of the park and 2 on the Botswana side...

Kalahari sign board

"We discovered Mario’s book, “Photographer’s Guide to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park” online and a relative bought it for my birthday. This book was a godsend it saved us so much time in the park and gave such good advice re travel plans and photographic tips.

We never adhered to all the tips as sometimes we slipped into the trap of being subject focused rather than light focused, it is difficult when you visit the park for the first time.

We are beginner photographers and were worried that opportunities may not present themselves again, we will learn. We highly recommend this eBook to all visitors, at less than $30 it is a real bargain. Thanks Mario for all your patience and assistance". - Ted, Brisbane, Australia

South African side of the Park:

Twee Rivieren gate

3 Main Rest Camps:

Each main camp has a shop, petrol station and swimming pool. The shop at Twee Rivieren is the best stocked.....

Nossob camp

Mata Mata Reception and border post

Twee Rivieren

Nossob

Mata Mata

6 Wilderness Camps:

The wilderness camps are all unfenced, providing a true wilderness experience!

Kieliekrankie cabins

Urikaruus camp

Gharagab cabin

Kieliekrankie

Urikaruus

Gharagab

Kalahari Tented Camp

Grootkolk

Bitterpan

Kalahari Tented Camp

Grootkolk camp

Bitterpan camp

1 luxury lodge:

Sunrise at !Xaus Lodge

!Xaus Lodge

Botswana side of the Park:

2 Luxury lodges:

Rooiputs Lodge boma

Rooiputs Luxury Lodge

Polentswa Tented Camp

Please don't get confused with the names of the Botswana lodges as they are situated next to camping sites with the same names. Rooiputs Lodge is 400 meters away from the old Rooiputs camping site, which has six A-frame camp sites and both are close to the Rooiputs waterhole.

Polentswa tented camp is about 3 kilometers away from the old Polentswa campsite that has 3 A-frame campsites and again, both are close to the Polentswa waterhole.

The two Botswana lodges are owned and run by Ta Shebube and are premier / luxury lodges.

Polentswa camp boma at night

The Kalahari has its own big-five (lion, leopard, cheetah, gemsbok, and eland)....

Lioness and cub

cheetah cubs playing

Gemsbok in the long grass

Eland image taken on game drive at !Xaus lodge

"Having a passion for the region myself and having had to learn about all the dynamics, waterholes and ideal routes to drive over a period of 6 years - I wish I had this guide on my first trip already!" - Morkel Erasmus, Secunda, South Africa

Leopard mother and cub at waterhole

What we love most about the Park is not only the superb predator sightings, but the lovely waterholes; raptor sightings and the eruption of wild-flowers after the first rains.....

Samevloeiing waterhole

Martial eagle

Devils claw and its flower

• The park covers a huge area, about one third in South Africa and the balance is in Botswana. The park is accessible from South Africa, Namibia and from Botswana.

• You can also combine a Kgalagadi safari with Cape Town tours and activities. 

• To see some of our Kgalagadi photographs please visit the Kgalagadi Gallery page and read our interview with Nigel Dennis a professional wildlife photographer who has spent over two years photographing in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

• To download our PhotographyBB Magazine article Kgalagadi - a Nature Photographer's Paradise, please right click on the above link and then save the file to your desktop.

• Wild Card is a must as you will save a lot of money on conservation fees by investing in this small item!

Click on the image below to find out more...

Kalahari Maps

To download Kgalagadi park and camp maps please click here

Kgalagadi Trip Reports

On our way to Gharagab Wilderness camp

You can read our Kgalagadi trip reports here

Share Your Kalahari Stories...

Share Your Kgalagadi Stories here

Return from Kgalagadi to Kruger-2-Kalahari Home Page

To make a car rental booking in South Africa click here

To make a car rental booking in Botswana or Namibia click here

To make a safari rental booking in South Africa, Botswana or Namibia click here

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