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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.
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.
The chalet is fully equipped, with an ensuite bathroom with a shower, as well as an outside kitchen with a stovetop, microwave, kettle, toaster, and all essential cutlery and crockery. There is also an outside dining area on the stoep with free-standing braai. Aircon and DSTV (selected channels) in the chalet are available.
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.
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.
The tour can only accommodate five vehicles.
Bonsai-SA did a lot of research to bring you an exciting itinerary.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You'll leave from Kgalagadi and proceed to your next destination (on your own).
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.
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.
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.
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.
This day, you will drive back to Upington. It will be your last day in the Kalahari region of South Africa. 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.
Johan du Plooy is qualified as a national 4x4 and overlanding adventure guide - overnight camping and is registered with the Department of Tourism (registration number GP 6210). He may guide 4x4 tours, trips, and activities, as well as overlanding tours. He may also conduct 4x4 and overlanding tours in eco-sensitive areas and will apply the principles of "leave no trace." Additioanlly, he may conduct 4x4 and overlanding tours with overnight camping options in ecosensitive areas.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Upington Airport
4 km
Transfer not provided
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.
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