Reviews of safaris to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
59 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Kgalagadi.
Miss K & Mr G
London
"Excellent trip"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 10 Apr 2014 and 28 Apr 2014
"We really enjoyed our holiday. Namibia is a great country and the scenery is spectacular.
If I was doing the trip again I wouldn't have stayed a night in Namtib Desert Lodge but would have put in a night at Quivertree Forest after our stay in Fish River Canyon. We stopped here for a couple of hours on our way to Luderitz, but we wished that we had more time and were able to see it at sunrise and sunset.
The driving was mostly fine in our high clearance 2WD. The only roads that caused us problems were the access track to Polentswa lodge and the D707 north of Namtib Desert Lodge where the road is basically sand for a 20km stretch. I would recommend that in future you only recommend this road for people in a 4WD and that you recommend the C13/C27 route for anyone in a 2WD. I think that even though this is longer it would be much faster as the D707 is in a pretty bad way once you get North of Namtib Desert Lodge. The scenery doesn't get really good until the C27 near the Namib Rand reserve.
We had an issue at Polentswa lodge, however, this was quickly resolved - thank you for your help with this. I would recommend that you clarify the current situation regarding night drives and other activities with the Ta Shebube lodges and update your website accordingly. We were really impressed by the quality of the Ta Shebube Rooiputs lodge - we had a great time there and saw some great animals.
I would have liked to have one or two nights on the Mata-Mata side of the national park as well as Rooiputs, as the wildlife and birds are quite different here to Rooiputs, but all the park accommodation was full so it was not possible. However, I would recommend this for future guests if the accommodation is available." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
If I was doing the trip again I wouldn't have stayed a night in Namtib Desert Lodge but would have put in a night at Quivertree Forest after our stay in Fish River Canyon. We stopped here for a couple of hours on our way to Luderitz, but we wished that we had more time and were able to see it at sunrise and sunset.
The driving was mostly fine in our high clearance 2WD. The only roads that caused us problems were the access track to Polentswa lodge and the D707 north of Namtib Desert Lodge where the road is basically sand for a 20km stretch. I would recommend that in future you only recommend this road for people in a 4WD and that you recommend the C13/C27 route for anyone in a 2WD. I think that even though this is longer it would be much faster as the D707 is in a pretty bad way once you get North of Namtib Desert Lodge. The scenery doesn't get really good until the C27 near the Namib Rand reserve.
We had an issue at Polentswa lodge, however, this was quickly resolved - thank you for your help with this. I would recommend that you clarify the current situation regarding night drives and other activities with the Ta Shebube lodges and update your website accordingly. We were really impressed by the quality of the Ta Shebube Rooiputs lodge - we had a great time there and saw some great animals.
I would have liked to have one or two nights on the Mata-Mata side of the national park as well as Rooiputs, as the wildlife and birds are quite different here to Rooiputs, but all the park accommodation was full so it was not possible. However, I would recommend this for future guests if the accommodation is available." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr M & Ms O
UK
"Simply Amazing Trip"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 24 Feb 2014 and 15 Mar 2014
"Excellent - faultless."
Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs T
Glasgow
"nothing could have improved on it!"
I visited South Africa between 29 Nov 2013 and 22 Dec 2013
"we planned this as a special experience and we got what we expected!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
we really appreciate the flexibility that you show in allowing us to plan our own holiday yet drawing on your expert knowledge to advise and facilitate. This is a truly winning combination!" Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 18 on a South Africa trip
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
we really appreciate the flexibility that you show in allowing us to plan our own holiday yet drawing on your expert knowledge to advise and facilitate. This is a truly winning combination!" Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 18 on a South Africa trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr M & Ms H
UK
"Namibia 2013"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 26 Aug 2013 and 22 Sep 2013
"Overall another wonderful trip back to Namibia. Very well organised by Sabina yet again. Regarding dietary requirements, everywhere ( except for the Nest Hotel in Luderitz) went to great efforts to fulfil our requirements, and where the more remote lodges were unable to do so, they informed us on arrival, again except for the Nest Hotel who were not at all remote. Tok Tokkie and Ultimate Safaris went to a lot of effort on this.
The highlights were; Ultimate safari in The Kalagadi with Polentswa and Rooipots lodges, The Mule Trail Hike, The Sedina boat trip, Sinclair Guest Farm and Tok Tokkie. The outstanding guides were Tarry (Ultimate), Manilow (Mule trail hike) and Domingo (Tok Tokkie) and last but not least, Taso from Sinclair guest Farm a very able guiding dog.
It was good to explore Southern Namibia & a brief excursion to Botswana & South Africa in the transfrontier park - stunning for wildlife.
As ever, Namibia provides huge contrasts & inspiration.
A big thank you to Sabina for sorting out potential problems with Budget car hire & other issues." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
The highlights were; Ultimate safari in The Kalagadi with Polentswa and Rooipots lodges, The Mule Trail Hike, The Sedina boat trip, Sinclair Guest Farm and Tok Tokkie. The outstanding guides were Tarry (Ultimate), Manilow (Mule trail hike) and Domingo (Tok Tokkie) and last but not least, Taso from Sinclair guest Farm a very able guiding dog.
It was good to explore Southern Namibia & a brief excursion to Botswana & South Africa in the transfrontier park - stunning for wildlife.
As ever, Namibia provides huge contrasts & inspiration.
A big thank you to Sabina for sorting out potential problems with Budget car hire & other issues." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs M
Virginia
"A wonderful trip"
I visited South Africa between 12 Jul 2013 and 18 Jul 2013
"Arranging this trip on my own was difficult and I am glad that I found Expert Africa online.
I wasn't sure how to even get started but Gwynneth helped me to select the best way to get to the Kalahari while understanding that pre/post Kalahari travel would be arranged on my own. Gwynneth was quick to respond to all questions and made me feel confident that the trip was well-planned and would be a good experience." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 5 on a South Africa trip
I wasn't sure how to even get started but Gwynneth helped me to select the best way to get to the Kalahari while understanding that pre/post Kalahari travel would be arranged on my own. Gwynneth was quick to respond to all questions and made me feel confident that the trip was well-planned and would be a good experience." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 5 on a South Africa trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr R
Chicago, USA
"A Wonderful Relaxing Experience"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 8 Dec 2012 and 28 Dec 2012
"We are very happy with most of the services and suggestions provided by Expert Africa. The lodge choices were excellent overall. We were also very happy that we decided to follow the recommendation of renting a 4x4. It made the driving much more comfortable and worry-free. Gwynn was a pleasure to work with. She is obviously very knowledgeable and passionate about her home country. The map provided was perfect! We had no problems at all driving ourselves.
I do have to mention two small bumps throughout the process. The first was a problem with the bank transfer from the US. Even though it is clearly explained in the instructions, I wish someone would have made it stand out. There are pages and pages of instructions to read and things are easily overlooked. It would be great if you could have a small list of highlights, including payment instructions. We ended spending over USD$300 to correct the bank transaction problem.
I was also disappointed about our lodging arrangements in the Kalahari. When we first discussed the lodging we were told that we were going to have to stay each one of the three nights at different places because everything was booked. To our surprise, when we arrived in Mata Mata and called !Xaus we were told that they had plenty of rooms available. They told us that they had availability when Expert Africa made our reservations. We ended up losing our entire payment for our night at Mata Mata Rest Camp which was not pleasant." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
I do have to mention two small bumps throughout the process. The first was a problem with the bank transfer from the US. Even though it is clearly explained in the instructions, I wish someone would have made it stand out. There are pages and pages of instructions to read and things are easily overlooked. It would be great if you could have a small list of highlights, including payment instructions. We ended spending over USD$300 to correct the bank transaction problem.
I was also disappointed about our lodging arrangements in the Kalahari. When we first discussed the lodging we were told that we were going to have to stay each one of the three nights at different places because everything was booked. To our surprise, when we arrived in Mata Mata and called !Xaus we were told that they had plenty of rooms available. They told us that they had availability when Expert Africa made our reservations. We ended up losing our entire payment for our night at Mata Mata Rest Camp which was not pleasant." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs D
Wilts
"My Sep 2012 trip"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 17 Sep 2012 and 4 Oct 2012
"Gwynneth was very helpful arranging this trip. We had been to Namibia on a number of occasions so we knew what we wanted to do and what we liked. Our only problem was the car"
Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr F & party
Portugal
"Another Expertly arranged trip to Africa"
I visited South Africa between 10 Oct 2011 and 30 Oct 2011
"We would surely recommend this trip to KTP and Northern Cape. The Kgalagadi is definitely for those who already have some experience on wildlife and self-driving and are happy with what it comes and enjoy every inch of it (landscape, Flora and Fauna, from the smallest to the biggest). It really lets you feel little in this world.
We tried to be out of the main camps and thus, have been at all the wilderness camps and surely enjoy them all. The shops at the main camps offered actually more than we were expecting, like OTC medicines, tea, coffee, water and other drinks, biscuits and even some frozen meat (at Twee Rivieren they even had ice cream!).
Augrabies is more family friendly and thus less wild but with impressive landscapes.
This trip was another great experience in Africa and, as always and once again, expertly arranged by Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None we can think off." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 14 on a South Africa trip
We tried to be out of the main camps and thus, have been at all the wilderness camps and surely enjoy them all. The shops at the main camps offered actually more than we were expecting, like OTC medicines, tea, coffee, water and other drinks, biscuits and even some frozen meat (at Twee Rivieren they even had ice cream!).
Augrabies is more family friendly and thus less wild but with impressive landscapes.
This trip was another great experience in Africa and, as always and once again, expertly arranged by Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None we can think off." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 14 on a South Africa trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs VDK
France
"African Safari"
I visited South Africa between 22 Aug 2011 and 13 Sep 2011
"Our trip as a whole was fantastic.
It completely lived up to our expectations and we most certainly recommend Expert Africa to our friends.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Since Expert Africa had no suggestions for Springbok & Namaqualand accommodation, we made our own bookings. We highly recommend Naries Namaqualand located about 30 km east of Springbok, especially the mountain suites. This was equivalent to or greater in luxury than Xaus.
As a critique, the Expert Africa staff knew we were planning to visit Kruger Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Augrabies Falls and Namaqualand. We think it would have been appropriate for someone to suggest we purchase or at least investigate the feasibility of a SANParks Wild Card as this can save money on daily conservation fees within the parks." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 7 on a South Africa trip
It completely lived up to our expectations and we most certainly recommend Expert Africa to our friends.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Since Expert Africa had no suggestions for Springbok & Namaqualand accommodation, we made our own bookings. We highly recommend Naries Namaqualand located about 30 km east of Springbok, especially the mountain suites. This was equivalent to or greater in luxury than Xaus.
As a critique, the Expert Africa staff knew we were planning to visit Kruger Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Augrabies Falls and Namaqualand. We think it would have been appropriate for someone to suggest we purchase or at least investigate the feasibility of a SANParks Wild Card as this can save money on daily conservation fees within the parks." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 7 on a South Africa trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs O
Dorset
"Kgalagadi and Cape Town - A Fantastic Trip!"
I visited South Africa between 14 Nov 2010 and 26 Nov 2010
"We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to the Kgalagadi and Cape Town - and would happily, and enthusiastically, recommend it to others! The trip isn't for the faint hearted - or for anyone who is looking for a holiday on a plate - but if you love exploring, don't mind driving around (a lot!) and have been on safari before so you know that you won't see animals at every turn - then this trip is for you. The order you do things is important - so we would recommend Augrabies Falls, followed by the Kgalagadi, followed by Cape Town.
The wildlife we saw in the Kgalagadi was fabulous - and included the Black Maned Kalahari Lions (including a pair mating, as well as a couple of family groups and individuals), Cheetahs (including a pair lying in the shade right next to the road) and an amazing selection of antelopes, deer and other smaller mammals (including Bat Eared Foxes - and Meerkats!). As the tourist numbers in the the Kgalagadi are very low compared to other destinations in Africa, you have the chance to sit, watch and enjoy without interruption - which is a real privilege.
Cape Town is fantastic - and our only regret is not getting out to Robben Island (if you're going - make sure you pre-book ferry tickets to Robben Island in advance, as getting them when you're there is not easy).
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We think you should recommend to travellers who plan to visit the Kgalagadi that they should consider upgrading to a 4*4 vehicle. Although the roads are very good in the dry, it's a different story in the wet. But also - and perhaps more importantly - a number of the roads are below the vegetation height of the scrub/bush either side - so unless you have a high vehicle, you struggle to see the wildlife (we bumped into several people who were disappointed by the lack of wildlife - and all of them were travelling in saloon cars. Either we were lucky - or the height really did make a difference!)" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a South Africa trip
The wildlife we saw in the Kgalagadi was fabulous - and included the Black Maned Kalahari Lions (including a pair mating, as well as a couple of family groups and individuals), Cheetahs (including a pair lying in the shade right next to the road) and an amazing selection of antelopes, deer and other smaller mammals (including Bat Eared Foxes - and Meerkats!). As the tourist numbers in the the Kgalagadi are very low compared to other destinations in Africa, you have the chance to sit, watch and enjoy without interruption - which is a real privilege.
Cape Town is fantastic - and our only regret is not getting out to Robben Island (if you're going - make sure you pre-book ferry tickets to Robben Island in advance, as getting them when you're there is not easy).
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We think you should recommend to travellers who plan to visit the Kgalagadi that they should consider upgrading to a 4*4 vehicle. Although the roads are very good in the dry, it's a different story in the wet. But also - and perhaps more importantly - a number of the roads are below the vegetation height of the scrub/bush either side - so unless you have a high vehicle, you struggle to see the wildlife (we bumped into several people who were disappointed by the lack of wildlife - and all of them were travelling in saloon cars. Either we were lucky - or the height really did make a difference!)" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a South Africa trip
Overall trip
Excellent
59
reviews of Kgalagadi by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
Filter by month
Looking for inspiration on where to travel next?
Visit our trip chooser to explore your options and find inspiration for your perfect African adventure
Inspire meWhere 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
!Xaus Lodge
!Xaus Lodge mixes guided wildlife safaris with very good community interactions, suiting those who prefer not to drive and cater for themselves.
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.
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
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.
