Hi all,

We consider visiting Kgalagadi in Botswana around Oct/Nov 2021, at least if traveling is possible. We would be driving a 4x4 with roof top tent.

I have 2 questions.

1: Would Oct/Nov be a good time, weather wise, etc.? I would not mind an occasional rain shower, but very much like sunny weather.

2: Which route/campsites can you recommend and how to book them? Internet is full of unclear information.

In terms of what we are looking for: private and beautiful camp spots. We are much used to camp (also in the wild) in Africa and are pretty sure our baby (then close to 2y) will love it as well.

Thanks a lot!

Here's some information: https://kgalagaditransfrontierpark.c...nd-facilities/


Although the Garmin maps for Southern Africa offer a good coverage I would suggest you get the maps from Tracks4Africa, as they offer better information for off-road travelling.



Depending on where you rent your vehicle you can enter the park fromn Namibia at Mata-Mata in the west, from South at Twee Rivieren (Two Rivers) in the south and from Botswana from the village of Kang, travelling south-west to the gate at Kaa.


Here are some camp sites:
Bitterpan Wilderness Camp S25.71666 E20.40277

Gharagad Camp S24.79921 E20.02524
Grootkolk Self Catering Tents S24.89081 E20.14506
Kang Roadhouse S23.67780 E22.76855
Nossob Chalets S25.42112 E20.59720
Polentswa Campsite Number Gp1 S25.08767 E20.42798
Rooiputs Camping Ground S26.32874 E20.73863
Rosyntjiebos - Kgalagadi Camp S25.72105 E20.69178
Sesatswe Campsite S24.53605 E20.82055
Two Rivers Camp S26.47385 E20.61780



Make sure to get a hard-core 4x4, because many of the trails are deep sand. So two spare wheels and a good supply of fuel and water are important.



Unlike in South Africa, eg. Kruger Park, the camp sites in the Kgalagadi are not fenced in, so expect wild animals to visit your camp at night. This is not a zoo!!!


I'll come back to this thread in a weeks time to give you more infos on interesting routes.

__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)

Sorry, took some time to come back to your question.


Pistes:
The pistes along the Auob and Nossob rivers are easy to do, even with a sedan car. Most other pistes are sandy, esp. the ones to and from Kaa gate in the north-east. In fact, coming from Kaa, travellingsouth-westwards there are two tracks. The northern track is a one-way piste from Kaa towards the Nossob river. One-way because you have to cross sand dunes where you cannot crawl but have to take them at speed.
A bit south of this 4x4 trail is the "normal" piste, also going from Kaa gate towards the Nossob. This can be travelled in both directions. But also rather for 4x4's because of the deep sand.


Wildlife:
Most animal sightings are to be expected along the two rivers, Auob and Nossob. Funny enough we saw lots of game on a piste ouside the reserve. There is a piste going north-east which starts about 6 kms south of Kaa, going to the Zutshwa village. Quite a romantic stretch regarding the landscape.


Camping:
I have listed the camp sites in my above post. The big camps also offer small huts an/or safari tents. Otherwise the remote camps are very basic. Pit toilets, primitive showers (that sometimes work). NO FENCES! Meaning that the animals stroll through the camp at night.
Reservation are obligatory. Usually the bush camps only have a very limited number of sites.



Climate:
Best times are April/May or Sept/Oct. November to March it's bloody hot around there....



All in all I'm not sure whether it's a good idea to go there with a toddler


I believe the South African game reserves like the Kruger Park or the Hluhluwe Game Reserve offer the better touristic infrastructure. The Kgalagadi is more like a tough challenge....


Hope this helps.

__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)