“Experience the Kalahari Desert”
2% off
8 Day Kalahari Safari in South Africa: Budget Camping Guided Self-Drive Tour
Kgalagadi Lodge, R360 Kalahari Mier, Askham, 8814, South Africa
South African Safari Tour
Kalahari is derived from the Tswana word Kgala, meaning "the great thirst", or Kgalagadi, meaning "a waterless place". The Kalahari has vast areas covered by red sand without any permanent surface water. One of the unique facts about it is that most of the desert is not considered a real desert, due to the amount of rainfall the area receives. The Kalahari Desert has been home to the native San Bushmen for over 20,000 years. It is the second-largest desert in Africa.
Key information
- Private or group safari
- Minimum of two participants, 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 guide
- English-speaking professional field guide(s) (where applicable)
- Park fees for two adults included
Highlights
- Visit the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Augrabies Falls National Park
- Experience the remoteness of the Kalahari Desert
- Seek the famous black-maned lions of the Kalahari
- Fauna and flora
- Red dunes
- 4x4 eco trail
- Orange River Gorge
- Professional overlanding adventure guide
- 4 nights accommodation
Styles
8 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 Lodge (4 nights)
Established in 2012, and situated near the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Kgalagadi Lifestyle Lodge is a firm favourite amongst local and international travellers alike. 5km from the park’s entrance, the lodge is a luxurious, one-stop destination in the Kalahari where desert haven meets modern wilderness.
Black Mane Butcher & Grill - Voted as the best food in the Kalahari
A must-visit destination in the Northern Cape, Black Mane Butcher & Grill includes a 50-seater vintage-inspired restaurant, which also has a grocery shop on-site offering on-the-go meals for travellers making their way through the Kalahari and offers a vibrant menu to suit any palate.
The 4-star campsites have private ablution facilities with electricity and water.
Augrabies Falls
The camping site, with more than half of the campsites set in a wonderfully shady area. The campsites have electricity and besides the usual ablution facilities, there is also a communal kitchen, laundry and ironing room.
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 en-route and also ensure your safety.
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? No.
- Can I tow an off-road caravan? No.
- 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. You visit a supermarket to buy snacks and refreshments for the drive to the Kgalagadi. 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 is a slow drive visiting the waterholes along the river, each offering its own surprise. After stretching your legs at the Mata Mata Camp, you follow the Auob River back to the Twee Rivieren Camp. The Kalahari will definitely surprise you along the way.
- Day 4 - You explore the Kgalagadi to the north of the Twee Rivieren Camp. The Leeudril 4x4 Loop is on the menu for today. This is an interesting 4x4 trail crossing the dunes. Along this trail, you will experience more of the remoteness of the Kalahari.
- Day 5 - Drive from the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park to the Augrabies Falls National Park.
- Day 6 - Explore the Augrabies Falls National Park.
- Day 7 - Visit Riemvasmaak hot springs.
- Day 8 - Augrabies Falls to your next destination (on your own).
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Upington
You 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.
You 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.
The Kalahari Desert is a large, semi-arid sandy savannah in Southern Africa, extending for 900,000 sq. km. It covers much of Botswana, as well as parts of Namibia and South Africa.
A 4x4 vehicle is best suited for the road and trail conditions you will experience on this tour. Rest assured, your guide is 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 an 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 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.
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).
Day 3: Drive to the Mata Mata Camp and back
You follow the Auob River to the Mata Mata Camp. This is a slow drive visiting the waterholes along the river. Each waterhole will offer its own surprise. The Kalahari will reveal more of herself as you drive, who knows what animals and birds you will see on the dunes next to the river!
After stretching your legs at the Mata Mata Camp, you 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 explore the Kgalagadi to the north of the Twee Rivieren Camp. The Leeudril 4x4 loop is on the menu for today. This is an interesting 4x4 trail crossing the dunes. Along this trail, you will experience more of the remoteness of the Kalahari.
Day 5 - Drive from the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park to the Augrabies Falls National Park
You say goodbye to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and drive to the Augrabies Falls National Park via Upington. Augrabies is derived from the Nama word as the Khoi people would refer to “Aukoerebis” meaning the "place of great noise." This refers to the Orange River water thundering its way down the 56m spectacular main waterfall.
The ancestors of modern history have inhabited the area surrounding the Orange River since the Early Stone Age. During this time, there is evidence that early man had developed weapons for hunting animals like hippopotamus. They knew to establish themselves near good water sources like the Orange River.
During the Middle Stone Age, man had created more formal work tools and began to utilise fire. The Late Stone Age, which dates back 22,000 years, is characterised by tools that are smaller than the previous periods.
Day 6: Explore the Augrabies Falls National Park
You join a day drive in an open game-viewing vehicle. The professional field guide will provide information about the animals, birds, vegetation, etc. during the drive.
Stand next to the waterfall and "feel" the mighty Orange River being forced into and thundering down the 56m waterfall.
You use the rest of the day to explore more of the national park.
Day 7: Visit Riemvasmaak hot springs
Today you drive to the Riemvasmaak hot springs. The road winds through the most amazing rock formations of all shapes, sizes and colours. The hot springs are one of the must-visit hot springs in South Africa. They were formed from volcanic eruptions that occurred centuries ago.
Riemvasmaak (pronounced "rim fus maack") means "tighten the strap" or "tied with straps". Riemvasmaak is 75,000 ha of sheer mountain desert wilderness located between the Orange and the dry Molopo Rivers. It is a wilderness born from violent volcanic activity millions of years ago, but it is a land of beauty that takes on spiritual proportions. Here you can relax in the hot springs dwarfed by 80m-high granite cliffs or simply set your soul free to soar with the black eagles through the lunar landscape.
Day 8: Your last day
Today you drive back to Upington. This is your last day in the Kalahari region of South Africa. You return your rental vehicle to the car hire company.
As your time together draws to a close, you say goodbye to your new friends and head back home. You will continue your journey to your next destination on your own. They hope that you will cherish the unforgettable memories you have made during your time there and that you will have plenty of beautiful photos to share with your loved ones and friends.
Location
Upington
You 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 is a large semi-arid sandy savannah in southern Africa, covering 900,000 square kilometres (350,000 sq mi) and covering most of Botswana and parts of Namibia and South Africa.
Kalahari is derived from the Tswana word Kgala, meaning 'the great thirst', or Kgalagadi, meaning 'a waterless place'; the Kalahari 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. Rainfall is low and summer temperatures are very high. The driest areas typically receive 110-200 millimetres (4.3-7.9 in) of rain per year, and the wettest areas just over 500 millimetres (20 in). The surrounding Kalahari Basin covers over 2,500,000 square kilometres (970,000 sq mi) and extends into Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, as well as parts of Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Where red dunes and scrub fade into infinity and herds of gemsbok, springbok, eland and blue wildebeest follow the seasons, where imposing camelthorn trees provide shade for giant black-maned lions and vantage points for leopards and many birds of prey... this is the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Augrabies Falls National Park
Close to Upington, Augrabies Falls National Park lies on the banks of the mighty Orange River. The Khoi people called it 'Aukoerebis', or 'place of great noise', because of the mighty flow of water unleashed from its rocky surroundings.
Klipspringers and quiver trees stand in stark silhouette against the African sky in this unique geological environment where only those who can adapt ultimately survive. The park is home to the majestic Augrabies Falls, which plunge 56 metres into a spectacular 18km gorge below.
Riemvasmaak
Riemvasmaak Hot Springs is one of the main attractions for visitors to the Northern Cape, located just north of Augrabies Falls, about 60km from the small town of Kakamas. It is surrounded by spectacular scenery and 80m high granite cliffs.
The hot springs are the result of volcanic eruptions. Although these are no longer active, the underground activity still heats the spring water and provides the most glorious warm water swimming pools.
Food
- At Kgalagdi Lodge, you will eat at the Black Mane Butcher & Grill - Voted as the best food in the Kalahari.
- At Augrabies Falls, you will eat at the on-site restaurant.
The restaurants are in a remote area and the menus 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
What's included
- Park fees
- Hand-held radios
- Professional 4x4 and overlanding adventure guide
- 7 nights accommodation
- Trail cost for one 4x4 vehicle with two adults
- Professional field guide(s) where applicable
- Vehicle with camping equipment
- Activities as indicated
- Meals as indicated
What's not included
- Additional accommodation before and after the tour
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Tips
- Fuel
- Toll fees
- Drinking water (on all days)
- Snacks and beverages
- Medicine
- Firewood
- Additional activities
- Border fees and taxes
How to get there
Recommended Airports
UTN
Upington Airport
164 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by aeroplane
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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