Why the Kalahari...
The Kalahari is a remote, wild, and unspoilt semi-desert with red sand dunes and sparse vegetation allowing easy spotting of game species...

...and the summer clouds providing dramatic backdrops.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is such a dramtic contrast to other parks, such as the Kruger, and its open spaces provide excellent opportunities for photographers.
The Kalahari is most famous for its predator sightings and in particular for its huge black-maned lions...

This male lion had, with his pride, killed four wildebeest the night before and they feasted on the carcasses near Mata Mata camp for two days. They were at the base of a dune next to the road so no 'bazooka' lenses were needed - a 300mm or 400mm lens was more than adequate!
Here is some basic info on the Park and why we love going there:
The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa was proclaimed in 1931 and covered about 9500 square kilometers with Namibia on the western border and Botswana on the eastern border. The park is situated in the Northern Cape province of South Africa and now, together with the adjacent Gemsbok National Park in Botswana, this Transfrontier Park comprises an area of about 38000 square kilometers
The name Kgalagadi means "land of thirst" or "Thirstland" and is where the original name was obviously derived
There are only gravel roads in the park these roads can get very rutted but the park staff do regularly level the roads. You will be pleased to know that the 60 km stretch of road leading up to the park gate has finally been tarred this was the most uncomfortable road to drive!
There are 3 main rest camps:
- Twee Rivieren
- Nossob
- Mata Mata
6 wilderness Camps:
- Kieliekrankie
- Urikaruus
- Gharagab
- Kalahari Tented Camp
- Grootkolk
- Bitterpan
and 1 luxury lodge:
- !Xaus Lodge
Each main camp has a shop, petrol station and swimming pool. The shop at Twee Rivieren is the best stocked
The wilderness camps are all unfenced, so providing a true wilderness experience!
It has its own big-five (lion, leopard, cheetah, gemsbok, and eland)
What we love most about the Park is the superb predator sightings, raptor sightings and the eruption of wild-flowers after the first rains.
And lastly, the Wild Card is a must as you will save a lot of money on conservation fees by investing in this small item. Click on the image below to find out more...


This is your chance to share your special Arid Park experiences with us and the world. SANParks wants you to capture your blessed moments on your camera, tell us the special story behind the photographs and send them to us via this website.
The winners images and stories will not only win prizes from Nikon, SANParks, Hi-Tec and Tourism Blueprint but will also appear on this website, in the pages of an upmarket Coffee-Table Book and on posters that will be displayed on a nation-wide tour.
Then the competition will wind up with a black-tie dinner and live music gala thats going to be held in the dunes of the Kgalagadi Desert!
So what are you waiting for, enter now...

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