Gharagab Wilderness Camp: Our full report
Gharagab Wilderness Camp is a small and exceedingly remote, self-catering camp that lies in the extreme north ...
... of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – quite close to Union's End. It's perched on a dune, above a floodlit waterhole, in what feels like the middle of nowhere.Gharagab stands close to a 'own-way' (one lane!) track in the sand, which they jovially refer to as their 'access road'; you enter the camp from the north, by turning south at Union's End, and you leave the camp by heading south and then east.
Both the entry and exit tracks are long, winding and quite challenging to drive, with some sharp bends and steep sandy inclines. You'll need a good 4WD. Visitors coming here should check in at Nossob Rest Camp, where you should also fill up with petrol and supplies, including drinking water and firewood. Water at the camp is salinated, so cannot be used for drinking. There are no shops or fuel available beyond Nossob, and it is not possible to drive from Twee Rivieren Rest Camp to Gharagab in one day.
Gharagab Wilderness Camp has just four simple cabins, each constructed of wood and canvas and raised on a wooden deck overlooking camelthorn veld and a floodlit waterhole. Inside, two single beds are flanked by small cupboards for hanging clothes. A wooden door leads to the back, where the toilet and washbasin are separated by a canvas 'wall' from the shower. Towels are provided.
Each cabin at Gharagab also has a small, fully equipped kitchen with twin gas burners and a gas fridge/freezer. A wooden sliding door leads from the kitchen onto a private deck with BBQ facilities. This deck area is fenced off and a little gate affords extra security. Although electricity is provided by solar power (and hot water from a gas heater), on our visit in May 2011 we found the units quite dark – and the floors very creaky!
Our view
Gharagab Wilderness Camp is a haven of peace and quiet where you can sit back and watch the game come and go from the waterhole. That said, its long access road, combined with the relatively lack of waterholes in its vicinity, means that whilst it may be a destination in its own right, to sit and relax; it doesn't make a convenient base from which to explore of the park.
Country manager: South Africa
Geographics
- Location
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa
- Ideal length of stay
- To fully appreciate Gharagab, and given the distance involved in getting there, 2–3 nights are recommended.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Room Only
- Food quality
- Self-catering facilities only
Children
- Attitude towards children
- No children under the age of 12 years are allowed.
- Generally recommended for children
- As the camp is unfenced, it is unsuitable for families with children, and certainly no younger then 12 years old.
Communications
- Communications
- There are no telephones or cell phone reception.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- No
- Medical care
- The closest hospital to Gharagab is in Upington, some 240km away.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- An armed ranger lives on site.
- Fire safety
Extras
- Disabled access
- Not Possible
- Laundry facilities
- No laundry facilities are available.
- Money
- No safes or currency exchange are available.
- Accepted payment on location
- There are no payment facilities available.
Other lodges in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Twee Rivieren
The Kgalagadi's largest restcamp, Twee Rivieren is the centre for the park's administration, and an obvious stop for food and fuel for self-driving visitors.
Kalahari Tented Camp
Kalahari Tented Camp, with self-catering accommodation, is an unusual and well positioned base for exploration of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Ta Shebube Rooiputs
One of just three private lodges in the Kgalagadi, Ta Shebube Rooiputs offers a well-appointed base from where you can explore this delightful National Park.
Mata Mata Rest Camp
On the western border of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Mata Mata Restcamp offers camping and simple self-catering chalets, great for adventurous travellers on self-drive explorations of this park.
Nossob Rest Camp
A basic but very well positioned rest camp within the heart of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Simple self-catering accommodation is available as well as camping options
Bitterpan Camp
Bitterpan is a basic self-catering camp in the Kgalagadi's central dune-field; it suits experienced self-drivers comfortable with remote travel.
Grootkolk Camp
Grootkolk Wilderness Camp has quirky sand-bag self-catering accommodation and simple amenities, offering a comfortable place to stay while exploring the north western Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
!Xaus Lodge
!Xaus Lodge mixes guided wildlife safaris with very good community interactions, suiting those who prefer not to drive and cater for themselves.
Ta Shebube Polentswa
Although accessed via South Africa, Ta Shebube Polentswa is situated just across the border, in a private concession on the Botswana side of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Urikaruus Camp
Urikaruus is one of the most popular wilderness camps in the Kgalagadi National Park with lovely riverside cabins set high up on stilts overlooking the Auob riverbed.
Kielie Krankie Camp
Perched high atop a huge red sand dune, the small Kielie Krankie wilderness camp it is well positioned for accessing both east and west sides of the Kgalagadi National Park.
Molopo Lodge
Less than an hours' drive from the Kgalagadi, this makes a good base near to the park if you're arriving late in the afternoon.
The Motse at Tswalu
Tswalu Motse is a smart lodge located in the Tswalu Game Reserve, the largest private reserve in South Africa.
