Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – Republic of South Africa and Botswana

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is situated in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, in an area that stretches across the border of South Africa and Botswana.

This pristine wildlife sanctuary resulted from the amalgamation of South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok Park and Botswana’s Gemsbok National Park. The park covers a vast area of 3.7 million hectares, rendering it the largest conservation area on earth.

This colossal conservation area encompasses red sand dunes, Kalahari scrub and arid savannah; and affords one of the best game-viewing and wildlife photography opportunities on earth. Large herds of antelope such as springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest and eland are preyed on by Africa's large carnivores, typified by the famous black-mane Kalahari lions. The park is also renowned for its birds of prey, enormous sociable weaver nests, bustling communities of meerkat and the night-time pulse of barking geckos.

The wildlife sanctuary provides a hospitable abode to herds of endemic antelopes such as gemsbok (Oryx), springbok, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest and eland. Furthermore, the park is enriched by the presence of species such as the prominent black-maned Kalahari lion, leopard, cheetah and smaller species such as mongooses, porcupine and honey badger. The park is also home to 58 species of mammals, 55 species of reptiles, innumerable species of insects and 300 species of birds; including at least 20 species of large raptor. The number of plant species in the park is virtually innumerable.

The two dry riverbeds of the Auob and the Nossob Rivers provide a plethora of game-viewing opportunities. Some of the animals most likely to be viewed include the park's emblematic species such as the gemsbok, mischievous meerkat and the weaver bird, which construct massive communal nests.

The park consists of three traditional rest camps. The main rest camp is Twee Rivieren, which has chalets, camping facilities, night drives, guided day walks, an information centre, restaurant, shop, fuel outlet and a swimming pool. Nossob offers chalets, camping, night drives, guided day walks as well as a predator information centre. Mata-Mata has new chalets, a shop, fuel outlet, guided day walks and night drives.

There are six new upmarket unfenced wilderness camps, all allowing visitors to savour the beguiling aura of the Kalahari game magic. Kalahari Tented Camp has 15 fully equipped; self-catering units, sleeping two to four people and a swimming pool. The camp overlooks the waterhole in the ancient Auob River. Grootkolk is small and exclusive, only 20km from Unions End; and it constitutes the prime predator area.

Kielie Krankie, situated on a high dune, has stunning views over the sand dunes. Four two-bed units overlook a waterhole. Urikaruuus, on the banks of the Auob River, is a lofted camp with four two-bed units that also overlook a waterhole. Two camps, Bitterpan and Gharagab, are only accessible by 4x4 vehicles.