It took almost a lifetime before I visited the Kgalagadi Transfer Park in the Northern Cape for the first time. The wait was most definitely worth while as it is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been in my life. To visit the park, one definitely need a high clearance vehicle, a 4x4 vehicle is recommended.

In April 2010, 2 friends and I got into a 4x4 vehicle and start the long journey to the Northern Cape Province. The original plan was to take on the adventure in my Colt, but with the prospect that my one friend will drive most of the time I did not complain that we used his Discovery. I read in an article that we can buy meat on a farm just ahead of the gates. Distance is a very relative term in this area, I learned to my surprise. To me, not far from the entrance of the Kgalagadi meant a distance of  2-5 km. Well its not, it’s 145km from the Twee Riviere entrance gate! (S28 03.840 E21 01.706). One can not miss the place (Paul & Riana Loots) is next to the main road with big boards on your left. In addition to the good quality meat, one can also buy very tasty biltong and ice cold cooldrink at this little haven.

When we arrived at the park it was better than I expected. This place is where you remember that only God could make it this beautiful.

The people at the entrance (reception) were extremely helpful.  Unfortunately I can not say the same of the attitudes of the rest of the parks personnel. The lack of professionalism in the working force is why I give the park a four star rating and not 5 star.

Before we visited the Kgalagadi, I went on the internet to find out which camps are the nicest to stay. My research proved that most people recommend that you must stay in one or two camps the whole time you are visiting. We did exactly that, but unfortunately this was not the right decision for me. We stayed at Nossob camp 90% of the time, went out in the mornings and came back at night. By camping at a single location, there are only about 2 roads you can take, meaning that you have to travel back on the same road.  An interesting thing is the requirement to hand in your booking papers every time when you leave the camp. This is a very clever way by the park to determine that all visitors arrive safely back in the camp before night fall.

When we visit the Kruger National park we are used to see rock information blocks that state Skukuza 49km” ,  “Lower Sabi 28km” etc. At the Kgalagadi however, these block state “ Mata-Mata 169km” , “Twee Rivieren 149km” etc. The roads are extremely corrugated here, and the people tend to drive a little bit faster to try and make the trip shorter. (Rather leave your caravan  at home) Next time that I visit the park, I will definitely make a reservation at every camp for a minimum of 2 nights. I will book the 4x4 trip for one week at Nossob, and also visit the Botswana side of the Kgalagadi for 2 nights. Just bear in mind that the Kgalagadi on the Botswana side does not offer any facilities and visitors need to take absolutely everything with, including water.

The animals here are beautiful. Lions are huge and seem to be undisturbed by vehicles.  Jackals are around every corner, and twice we were in luck to see honey badgers on the sandbanks. Brown hyena made his or her appearance once, and springbuck and Oryx gazelle are everywhere. This is a raptors paradise, and among the feathered species, we also saw quite a number of Secretary birds. Kalagadi offers, 164 different bird species and this makes it most definitely a bird lovers paradise, Remember to bring a spotting scope with. Distance is a huge factor here.

I have to go back again to take my family with, and write articles about every camp and walking trail they offer. This is one of these places that I would like to visit every year.