SANParks.org Forums

My firs t post on the forum and hope to get lots of advice from the experts.

I have not really done a trip in SA as a long road trip like Kgalagadi. It has beena dream of mine for a long time and now that I live in SA, I thought my wife and i must do this trip.

She is not adventurous enough to consider camping so booked the various camps in the park.

I know going in mid-Nov is not ideal given it will be hot but it about the only time we can get time off. So have booked from 8th Nov for about 8 nights. Had to battle getting the right camps for the right nights so have had to compromise given only booking in June for Nov.

I have booked as follows:

8th Nov Twee Rivieren
9th Nov: Nossob
10/11th Nov: Gharagab
12th Nov: Bitterpan
13/14th Nov: Kalahari Tented Camp
15th Nov: Twee Rivieren

Can people who are experts tell me if this is a decent itinerary? What are the key things to do in any one of these camps that are unique to that camp ?

Also, will be travelling on the 8th Nov from Jo'burg driving to KTP. How much time should I allow and which is the best way to go ?

Given the time of year is hot, any advice on what clothes to take etc ?

My wife is worried that we have never done a trip like this without other friends. Anything in particular I should be aware of on this trip ? I have a Prado VX so am not worried too much about getting stuck etc.

Any advice really appreciated and if anyone thinks above itinerary needs changing pls tell me although the availability at the wilderness camps is slim.

thanks

Katanga

Welcome to the forum!

Replying to you live from Twee Rivieren!

We drove here via Kimberley. The road from JHB to Kimberely was great....kimbereley to Upington....not so great ....stopped counting at 6 stop/go's! Even taking the Kuruman road....look at at least 10 hours.

Your itinary....depends on what you want from your trip....Bitterpan and Garaghab are beautiful in their own right....superb places to really get a feel for the peaceful dune landscape of the park....can be a bit quiet animal wise....nice for peace and quiet! Garaghab has a look out tower at the back of camp you can climb-great for sundowners! As new visitors to the park, I would rather stay at one of the 2 of these camps for 1 night...and rather spend more time at eg Nossob. Or, I realise availability is a problem, a night or 2 at Grootkolk. Kielikrankie is also a nice option for a bit of a dune feel but with easy accessibility to both the Nossob and Mata mata riverb beds.Just an opinion!

We have a Prado and no problems!

Enjoy your trip

Jo

wow - I am jealous!

Given how late I left things and just booked the trip about 2hrs ago for Nov, both Grootkolk and Kieliekrankiw almost fully booked.

I am hoping to get good animal sightings but at the same time want to experience the tranquillity of the wilderness camps.

So dyou reckon, I could drive to TR from Jo'burg in 12hrs with some stop time for filling up on fuel and comfort break as well as meals ?

Which is the best way to go ?

What would you advice as things to take on this trip with the heat that time of the year ?

Katanga, a very warm (hot?) welcome to the forums. Since I have only been once to Kgalagadi, I'll just soak up all the advice along with you from the experienced campaigners.

Garaghab has a great view over the waterhole in front of it-you could sit on your verandah with a good book and a pair of binocs!

To take with in Nov: swimming costume (pools at nossob, kalahari tented, twee rivieren and mata mata). Lots of water-you can drink the water here but it is quite brakish so makes your tea/coffee taste strange....and I also find it makes me more thirsty. Some people take bandanas which they dampen and then in the heat of the day they lie under them and find it cools them down. They also put the damp bandana around their necks to cool down. We take those fruit juices which the kids buy from the school tuck shop that can be frozen-take them out with you in the morning-nice and cool to drnk after a few hours! Go out at gate opening while the animals are still active...by midday the heat also gets to them and they tend to stick to the shade. Go out in the late afternoon again. Take sunglasses-the glare off the white sandy roads can be a problem. Although there are shops at twee rivieren, mata mata and nossob-they stock basics only (tinned stuff, beer, cold-drinks etc-not much in terms of fresh procuce). If the jackals start going mad at nossob-get to the hide....often means there in a predator around!
12hours is about right-we haven't travelled the kuruman road for a few years as they were doing roadworks on it then....and it added 2 hours to our journey...but it may be better now-lets see what the others say when u get more replies.

Don't expect animals around every corner-you do have to work a bit harder for your sightings here than in kruger but when u do see something u tend to "see it well" due to the open vegatation....enjoy your trip!

I am new to south Africa a but also hear that there are two different routes from Johannesburg to Twee river.

Which is the best route to to take?

Am I being ambitious if I plan to leave early in the morning and get to TR. I will probably only stop in Uppington to fill up and get some supplies like firewood etc. plan to get most things in Jo'burg.

Really need help on the best way there so details appreciated.

I agree with Jo: add extra night to Nossob and stay only 1 night T Gharaghab. In summer tents at Gharaghab are extremely hot, with no real roads to drive - can just sit on deck in sweltering heat, with limited animal scope. Nossob after 1 night at Gharaghab will make travelling also easier (can travel in afternoon to Bitterpan, after morning drive at Nossob, and last dip in pool).