“Have a Kgalagadi Desert experience”
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5 Day Kgalagadi Safari in South Africa: Budget Camping and Guided Self-drive Holiday
Kgalagadi Lifestyle Lodge, Upington, South Africa
South African Safari Holiday
This is the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, where the red dunes and scrub fade into infinity and herds of gemsbok, springbok, eland, and blue wildebeest follow the seasons, and where imposing camel thorn trees provide shade for huge black-maned lions and vantage points for leopard and many raptors.
Key information
- Private or group safari
- Minimum of two participants per vehicle, maximum of five vehicles
- Children at the age of 12 years old and above are allowed to participate
- Starts and ends in Upington
- English-speaking professional 4x4 overlanding adventure / field guide
- Park fees for two adults included
Highlights
- Visit the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
- Experience the remoteness of the Kalahari Desert
- Seek the famous black-maned lions of the Kalahari
- See the red dunes and other various flora and fauna
- Professional overlanding adventure guide
- Rental vehicle available
- 4 nights campsite accommodation included (bring your own tent)
- Park fees for two adults included
Skill level
- Intermediate
Styles
5 activity days in English
The organizer also speaks: Afrikaans
Group size: Maximum of 5 participants
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
12:00
Facilities
- Barbeque facilities
- Free parking
Kgalagadi Lifestyle Lodge (4 nights)
Established in 2012, and situated near the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Kgalagadi Lifestyle Lodge is a firm favorite amongst local and international travelers alike. Situated five kilometers from the park’s entrance, the lodge is a luxurious, one-stop destination in the Kalahari, where desert haven meets modern wilderness.
The four-star campsite has private ablution facilities with electricity and water.
Its Black Mane Butcher & Grill was voted as the best food in the Kalahari. A must-visit destination in the Northern Cape, it includes a 50-seater vintage-inspired restaurant, which also has an onsite grocery shop, offering on-the-go meals for travelers making their way through the Kalahari. They also have a vibrant menu to suit any palate.
Facilities
- Supermarket
- Butchery
- Bakery with fresh bread daily
- Fully licensed restaurant, voted as the best food in the whole Kalahari (Hospitality Marketing, Inc.)
- Swimming pool
- Bottle store and wine shop
- 4x4 vehicle hire
- Landing strip
Accommodation type: Camping
Electricity is available at the camp. You must make provision for your own equipment, including tents and camping gear, sufficient supply of water, firewood, and food.
Program
Bonsai-SA's relaxed 4x4 adventures and tours allow you access to remote areas in national parks and reserves that are not frequented by many visitors.
The surrounding wilderness, the remoteness, and the seclusion of travelling through rarely-seen areas are the main thrills of their tours. A professional 4x4 adventure guide will lead the tour and a qualified field / nature guide will assist when it is necessary. The guides will provide the necessary interpretation enroute and will also ensure your safety.
Kindly note that the roads in the Kgalagadi are not sedan friendly and that sedan vehicles find it difficult to cope with the road conditions and that some roads might not be accessible when wet, although management intervenes to maintain the roads on a regular basis.
You will drive in your own 4x4 vehicle and must make provision for your own equipment, including tents and camping gear, sufficient supply of water, firewood, and food. A qualified 4x4 and overlanding adventure guide will lead the trail and will also assist with 4x4 aspects when necessary.
This is an ideal opportunity to combine 4x4 travelling, outdoor camping, and game viewing. The convoy will stop regularly for environmental, historical, and cultural interpretation or to share special experiences and photographic opportunities.
The tour is not designed as an obstacle course or endurance test. It is aimed at true bush lovers and the ones who enjoy the wilderness.
Grade 2 trail grading (easy 2WD / 4WD)
The journey will feature trails with obstacles that are easy to navigate. In optimum weather conditions, these trails may not require the continual use of 4WD.
Frequently asked questions
- Vehicle type: 4x2? No
- Vehicle type: 4x4? Yes
- Tire type: Off-road / all-terrain tires? Yes
- Tire type: On-road tires? Yes
- Accommodation type: Wild Camping? No
- Accommodation type: Camping? Yes
- Accommodation type: Safari tent? No
- Accommodation type: Wilderness cabin? No
- Accommodation type: Chalet? No
- Can I tow an off-road trailer? Yes
- Can I tow an off-road caravan? Yes
- Will my vehicle be scratched? No, though it is possible that vehicles will be scratched as you'll be in nature. It will be nothing serious.
- Must I remove my vehicle's sidesteps? No.
- Do I need a compressor? No.
- Are children under the age of 12 years allowed to join? No.
Tour size
The tour can only accommodate five vehicles.
Traveling plans
Bonsai-SA did a lot of research to bring you an exciting itinerary.
Day 1
You will meet your guide at 12:00 in Upington. The meeting place will be confirmed before the start of the tour. The group will visit a supermarket to buy snacks and refreshments for the drive to the Kgalagadi. Upon arrival, set up your camp for the duration of the tour.
Day 2
Explore the Kgalagadi to the north of the Twee Rivieren Camp. Learn about the Nossob and Auob Rivers and how often they are in flood.
Day 3
Follow the Auob River to the Mata Mata Camp. This will be a slow drive, visiting waterholes along the river, each one offering its own surprise. After stretching your legs at the Mata Mata Camp, you will follow the Auob River back to the Twee Rivieren Camp. The Kalahari will definitely surprise you along the way.
Day 4
You will explore the Kgalagadi to the north of the Twee Rivieren Camp. The Leeudril 4x4 Loop is on the menu for this day. It is an interesting 4x4 trail crossing the dunes. Along this trail, you will experience more of the remoteness of the Kalahari.
Day 5
You'll leave from Kgalagadi and proceed to your next destination (on your own).
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Upington
You will either collect your vehicle when you fly to Upington for the start of your tour or you will drive on your own to Upington if you already have a vehicle. You will then meet your guide in Upington.
The group will drive in convoy to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. As you drive northwards, the Kalahari will start to reveal herself to you. She will welcome you with views of red dunes and salt pans next to the road.
A 4x4 vehicle is best suited for the road and trail conditions that you will experience on this tour. Rest assured, your guide will be fully qualified to assist you with any 4x4 challenges that you might encounter.
Day 2 - Explore the Kgalagadi around the Twee Rivieren Camp
Join an early morning drive on your open game-viewing vehicle. The professional field guide will provide information about the animals, birds, vegetation, and more during the drive.
After the morning drive, you will explore the Kgalagadi to the north of the Twee Rivieren Camp. Learn about the Nossob and Auob Rivers and how often they are in flood.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park lies in the large sand-filled basin in the west of the Southern African subcontinent known as the Kalahari. It covers almost one-third of the area and forms what may be the largest sandveld area in the world.
Day 3 - Drive to the Mata Mata Camp and back
You will follow the Auob River to the Mata Mata Camp. This will be a slow drive, visiting waterholes along the river, Each one will offer its own surprise. The Kalahari will also reveal more of herself as you drive - who knows what animals and birds will you see on the dunes next to the river!
After stretching your legs at the Mata Mata Camp, you will follow the Auob River back to the Twee Rivieren Camp. The Kalahari will definitely surprise you along the way.
Day 4 - Explore the Kgalagadi around the Twee Rivieren Camp
You will explore the Kgalagadi to the north of the Twee Rivieren Camp. The Leeudril 4x4 Loop is on the menu for this day. It is an interesting 4x4 trail crossing the dunes. Along this trail, you will experience more of the remoteness of the Kalahari.
Day 5 - Your last day with Bonsai-SA
This day, you will drive back to Upington. It will be your last day in the Kalahari region of South Africa. If you didn't bring your own, you will return your rental vehicle to the car hire company.
As the time together draws to a close, you will say goodbye to your new friends and head back home, continuing your journey to your next destination on your own.
Bonsai-SA hopes that you will cherish the unforgettable memories that you will make during your time with them and that you will have plenty of beautiful photos to share with your loved ones and friends.
Location
Upington
You will either collect your vehicle when you fly to Upington for the start of your tour or you drive on your own to Upington if you already have a vehicle. You will meet your guide in Upington.
Kalahari
The Kalahari Desert has been home to the native San Bushmen for over 20,000 years. It is the second-largest desert in Africa. A large semi-arid sandy savannah in southern Africa, it spans 900,000 square kilometers (350,000 sq mi) and covers most of Botswana as well as parts of Namibia and South Africa.
Kalahari is derived from the Tswana word Kgala, meaning 'the great thirst,' or Kgalagadi, meaning 'a waterless place.' It has vast areas of red sand without any permanent surface water. A semi-desert with vast areas of excellent grazing land after good rains, the Kalahari supports more animals and plants than a true desert, such as the Namib Desert to the west.
One of the unique facts about it is that most of the desert is not considered as a real desert due to the amount of rainfall that the area receives. Rainfall is low and summer temperatures are very high. The driest areas typically receive 110 to 200 millimeters (4.3-7.9 in) of rain per year, and the wettest areas just over 500 millimeters (20 in).
The surrounding Kalahari Basin covers over 2,500,000 square kilometers (970,000 sq mi) and extends into Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, as well as parts of Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park lies in the large sand-filled basin in the west of the Southern African subcontinent known as the Kalahari. It covers almost one-third of the area and forms what may be the largest sandveld area in the world.
In 1999, Botswana and South Africa signed a historic bilateral agreement whereby both countries undertook to manage their adjacent national parks, the Gemsbok National Park and the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, as a single ecological unit.
In 2000, Southern Africa's first peace park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, was formally launched by presidents Mogae (Botswana) and Mbeki (South Africa).
Food
You will eat at the Black Mane Butcher & Grill, voted as the best food in the Kalahari. The restaurant is in a remote area and the menu cannot always cater for all dietary requirements. Breakfast and dinner are included but you must make provision for your own lunch, snacks, and water.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
- Rental vehicle
What's included
- Activities as indicated
- Hand-held radios
- Professional 4x4 and overlanding adventure guide
- Professional field guide(s) where applicable
- Trail cost for one 4x4 vehicle with two adults
- 4 nights accommodation (camping) for two adults
- Breakfast and dinner
- Park fees for 2 adults
- Conservation fees for 2 adults
- Vehicle with camping equipment
What's not included
- Additional adults - maximum two - will be charged extra
- Additional accommodation before and after the tour
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Airport transders
- Government imposed increase of taxes and / or park fees
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Tips
- Fuel
- Lunch
- Snacks and beverages
- Drinking water (on all days)
- Medicine
- Firewood
- Additional activities
- Border fees and taxes
- Toll fees
How to get there
Recommended Airports
UTN
Upington Airport
4 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Upington Airport (UTN). Transfers to and from this airport are excluded from the price. The meeting point in Upington with your guide will be communicated before the start of the tour.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
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Special offer Discount
This listing has a Discount 2025 discount of 2% if you book between 2025-Jan-01 and 2025-Oct-31.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookAllSafaris.com. All major credit cards supported.
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