Reviews of safaris to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
58 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Kgalagadi.
"Kgalagadi is the pure wilderness "
After the Kgalagadi - a conservation area that is transfrontier - you can no more think as you previously thought.
As a journalist I understand what we mean for conservation and why South Africa has the most relevant protected areas in the region ; the Serengeti is a little think in comparison to Kgalagadi . And this is a stronghold for the lions of an enormous importance, totally underestimated . That is why I am going to tell about for my newspaper. But it is very important also the buffer zone you have to go through to get twee rivièren. A park is bigger than its extension. It is a social and ecological system. Upington and then the 200 km to the park and then the south gate, this makes the travel an insight in what wilderness is today." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a South Africa trip
"Namibia & Kgalagadi"
It was also great to share it with the kids.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, thank you for everything." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"June visit to the Kalahari"
Seeing pangolin and aardvark in the day was incredible and the quality of our guide, Kyle with his extensive knowledge and infectious enthusiasm made this safari particularly special." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a South Africa trip
"My May/June trip"
We loved the trip and thank Expert Africa for their suggestions, their planning and their professionalism.
We will most definitely use them for our next trip.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We were thrilled with the trip. I've tried to not rate all the accommodation and camps as excellent, but everything really WAS excellent.
Thanks Expert Africa!" Read full review: 26 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zimbabwe safari
"Kgalagadi"
We saw some great wildlife - lions, leopards, cheetahs, caracal, brown hyena, african wildcat + lots of smaller stuff.
You have to work harder to find animals in the Kalahari but the payoff when you do makes the effort worthwhile and the desert has a stark beauty all of its own.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Nope - all great and I'll be using you again." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 10 on a South Africa trip
"My Apr 2018 trip"
Everything was pretty much perfect and went according to the itinerary.
Game viewing ad Kgalagadi was exceptional as was the unexpected green desert due to the late rain. It was really stunning and the location and views form the lodges were great.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Excellent and helpful as always.
Hope to reurn to Namibia with a trip to the Skeleton coat and stay with the Himba people!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
"Tailor made and perfect."
Itinerary: For the wildlife, we wanted Etosha (1 week) and we wanted the Transfrontier Kgalagadi Park (5 days). Previous experience has shown Sabina to be a star at knocking together a sensible itinerary, and she managed it again. There was some difficulty finding accommodation (even in a quiet month) which meant one or two compromises had to be made. It all worked out well. If you haven't been before, it is worth saying that distances are huge and the dirt roads make them feel huger ....but then that all helps to emphasise the emptiness of Africa. It made sense to link our two parks with a visit to Soussevlei. I'm a bit ambivalent about the place. It was worth seeing the endless dunes, but the whole idea of a desert is to have a wilderness, and with only one road, you are not alone. We actually preferred the getting there and away again, 100s of kilometres with vast landscapes, and little sign of humanity (except for fences). The Transfrontier is off the beaten track and just in South Africa. It was very worthwhile (although I'd choose Etosha ahead of it (for its variety)), but there's no obvious attraction to break up the journey returning to Windhoek. Sabina did well to find a couple of comfortable lodges that had game activities on offer.
Practicalities: The journey had no glitches at all. It was so well organised. Even the 'misplaced' car hire voucher was sorted in a few minutes by Expert Africa (via Wilderness Travel). Instructions had all been clearly expressed (for example, what needed to be done to take a hire car into South Africa). We had no issues with petrol, reported in some reviews" Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
"Great road trip from Cape Town to Windhoek"
We had hoped to see the spring flowers in Namaqualand, but realised before we arrived that the drought would mean it unlikely. We saw a few, which was lovely but also did more walking than we might have done and found other things to do which we really enjoyed.
Highlights of the trip were Twee Rivieren at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Fish River Canyon, Kolmanskop (outside Luderitz), Augrabies Falls and the Eagle's Nest at Aus.
Thanks to Tracy for the original inspiration and Claire for making it happen." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 13 on a South Africa trip
"Our 2017 trip"
"It turned out well in the end."
The success of a game spotting holiday can be down to luck in seeing the game. In this respect luck was not on our side, particularly, this time but having been on four holidays to Kgalagadi, we know that this is not the be all and end all. The landscapes, birdlife, and small animals are all wondrous. Most of all, however, we are always struck by the interesting people we meet and the stories they tell us - including Mercy, who recalled meeting Chris McIntyre.
Our one criticism is that the revised plan meant a lot more travelling between distant camps and too many changes in accommodation. 10 changes in a 12 days stay is too much especially when there were six hours and more of travelling to be done in a day. But, anyway, we had a holiday!
Kgalagadi is not for the packaged tourist and long may it stay that way despite the gradual increase in accommodation at the camps." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 16 on a South Africa trip
Where to stay in Kgalagadi
Our suggestions for safari camps in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
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
Gharagab Camp
Gharagab Wilderness Camp is located in a remote corner of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which is wonderful if you like wilderness areas. However, access takes time - so it's not the best base for exploring the park.
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.
