8 Day Mid-Range Guided Self-Drive Kalahari Safari in South Africa
South African Safari
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. This self-drive safari is an ideal opportunity to combine 4x4 travelling and game viewing. The convoy stops regularly for environmental, historical, and cultural interpretation or to share special experiences and photographic opportunities.
Key information
- Group safari
- Minimum group size: 2 participants
- Maximum of five vehicles
- Children policy: Children from the age of 12 years are allowed to participate under the supervision of a parent or guardian
- Starting and ending points: Upington
- English speaking guide
- All park fees are included
Highlights
- Self-drive game drives to see wildlife in their habitat
- Visit Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Augrabies Falls National Park
- Access to locations that are not frequently visited by tourists
- Opportunity to see gemsboks, springboks, elands, blue wildebeests, lions, etc.
- Experience the remoteness of the Kalahari Desert
- 7 nights accommodation
Types
8 activity days in English
Accommodation
Facilities
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Kitchen
- Restaurant
- Free parking
- Internet access
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. Five kilometers from the park’s entrance, the lodge is a luxurious, one-stop destination in the Kalahari where desert haven meets modern wilderness.
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
Black Mane Butcher and Grill - voted as the best food in the Kalahari
A must-visit destination in the Northern Cape, Black Mane Butcher and Grill includes a 50-seater vintage-inspired restaurant, which also has a grocery shop on-site offering on-the-go meals for travelers making their way through the Kalahari and offers a vibrant menu to suit any palate. The chalet has an en-suite bathroom with a shower; an outside kitchen with a stovetop, microwave, kettle, toaster, and all essential cutlery and crockery. An outside dining area on the stoep with free-standing braai. Aircon and DSTV (selected channels) in the chalet.
Twee Rivieren Camp (1 night)
Twee Rivieren Restcamp - Kgalagadi Park is the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park’s largest rest camp and administrative headquarters. It is situated on the banks of the Dry Nossob Riverbed. Twee Rivieren Restcamp - Kgalagadi Park is diverse, as are the animals and plants found both within the camp and in the surrounding areas. Twee Rivieren Restcamp is the main camp at the entrance to the park and has a landing strip for light aircraft. Twee Rivieren Restcamp has a reception, shop, fuel, restaurant, information center, and swimming pool. This is the only camp with 24-hour electricity and cell phone reception.
Augrabies Falls Lodge and Camp (2 nights)
The main rest camp provides fully equipped, air-conditioned chalets and cottages with self-catering facilities. All 12 rooms of Augrabies Falls Lodge are air-conditioned and feature DSTV, a coffee station, and high-quality beds allowing guests a peaceful night's rest in their own private sanctuary.
Double-story rooms have views out across the distinct vineyard country along the Orange River - lush gullies of green vineyards stretch through both the high and low country. Each room features Indigenous artwork from local artists - the rich colors blending with and complimenting the more modern design and fittings. The paintings weave the modern with the traditional to create a unique blend that is Augrabies Falls Lodge.
Program
The tours allow you access to national parks and reserves that are not frequently visited. The surrounding wilderness, the remoteness, and the seclusion of travelling through rarely seen areas are the main attractions of the tours.
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 and game viewing. The convoy stops regularly for environmental, historical, and cultural interpretation or to share special experiences and photographic opportunities.
The tour is aimed at true bush lovers and ones who enjoy the wilderness and is not designed as an obstacle course or endurance test.
Frequently-asked questions
- Vehicle Type: 4x2? No
- Vehicle Type: 4x4? Yes
- Tyre Type: Off-road / All-terrain tires? Yes
- Tyre Type: On-road tires? No
- Accommodation Type: Camping? No
- Accommodation Type: Wild camping? No
- Accommodation Type: Safari tent? No
- Accommodation Type: Wilderness cabin? No
- Accommodation Type: Chalet? Yes
- Can I tow an off-road trailer? No
- Can I tow an off-road caravan? No
- Will my vehicle be scratched? No. It is possible that vehicles will be scratched as you are in nature. It will be nothing serious.
- Must I remove my vehicle's sidesteps? No
- Do I need a compressor? Yes
- Can children under the age of 12 years join this safari? No
Tour size
Place for only 5 vehicles on the tour. Normally a minimum of three (3) vehicles are required to make the tour happen, but Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours would be happy to quote you for less than three vehicles.
Daily 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 at 12:00 p.m. 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. 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 square kilometres. 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. Set up your camp for the duration of the 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 offering 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 TFP to the Augrabies Falls National Park
You say goodbye to the Kgalagadi TFP 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 56-meter 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. Explore Augrabies and stand next to the waterfall and "feel" the mighty Orange River being forced into and thundering down the 56-meter 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 colors. 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 80-meter-high granite cliffs, or simply set your soul free to soar with the black eagles through the lunar landscape.
Day 8 - Your last day with Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours
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 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 with them and that you will have plenty of beautiful photos to share with your loved ones and friends.
Location
The safari will take place in South Africa.
Kalahari
The Kalahari Desert is a large semi-arid sandy savannah in southern Africa, covering 900,000 square kilometers (350,000 square miles) 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 to 200 millimeters (4.3 to 7.9 inches) of rain per year, and the wettest areas are just over 500 millimeters (20 inches). The surrounding Kalahari Basin covers over 2,500,000 square kilometers (970,000 square miles) and extends into Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, as well as parts of Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
It 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).
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.
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 meters into a spectacular 18 km gorge below.
Riemvasmaak Hot Springs
It 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
Meals and drinking water are not included in the price.
What's included
- 7 nights accommodation (chalet) for two adults
- Trail fee for one 4x4 vehicle with a maximum of two adults
- Conservation fees for two adults
- Hand-held radios
- Professional trail guide(s) where applicable
- Qualified 4x4 and overlanding adventure guide
What's not included
- Fuel
- Toll fees
- Snacks and beverages
- Food (on all days, except cave braai)
- Medicine
- Drinking water (on all days)
- Firewood
- Cost of additional activities
- Additional accommodation before and after the tour
- Additional adults - maximum two - will be charged extra
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Tips
- Vehicle
- Rental vehicle
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Transfer not provided
Upington Airport
92 km away from your destination
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 on arrival.
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