Twee Rivieren Rest Camp: Our full report
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp stands at the southern entrance to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and doubles as ...
... its administration centre; it's often your first and/or last stop within this super park. Twee Rivieren is the largest camp in the park with the best amenities; in contrast to many privately-owned safari lodges, this feels like a small village, complete with a park's office, a fuel station, a shop, a restaurant and plenty of small chalets and bungalows spread around.In style, Twee Rivieren is like Nossob and Mata Mata, the park's other main rest camps; it differs in scale (it's larger) and has more extensive facilities. It has a small restaurant, the best-stocked shop in the park – with basic supplies, souvenirs and firewood – and a family-sized, horseshoe-shaped pool. These amenities, together with a fuel station, make quite a big difference to the comfort of this otherwise fairly simple camp.
While many visitors come with their own tents to camp at Twee Rivieren, there are four different types of chalet. The size and the number of beds in each vary, but all provide plain, no-frills accommodation. That said, the chalets here are substantially less basic than their counterparts at Nossob
and Mata Mata. Most are constructed of stone and thatch, and have a small patio with tables, chairs and barbecue facilities. Inside, there's a kitchenette with a fridge, two hobs and a good supply of kitchen utensils and cutlery, plus an en-suite bathroom, with toilet and shower; bedding and towels are provided. Air conditioning is standard, ideal for those hot summer evenings, and extra blankets are provided for the winter months.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has relatively few visitors, due in part to its isolated location. It's been designed with self-drive visitors in mind, and works best for those who will put in lots of time out in the park, either driving and just sitting in the vehicle observing – as the animals are seldom as obvious as they are, say, at waterholes in Etosha. Renowned for its cheetah population, the 38,000km² park is also home to blue wildebeest and the mischievous meerkat. Springbok, gemsbok and red hartebeest thrive here, too – as do lion.
Our view
Given that the majority of visitors approach the park from Upington, Twee Rivieren Rest Camp is often the first and/or last stop within the park. If your arrival times are uncertain or if you need to guarantee an early departure, then such a stop here is probably a necessity. It is quite large and doesn't feel exclusive – but makes a good springboard for a safari deeper into the park. It's also the only Kgalagadi rest camps which has a restaurant – which is very useful if you don't want the hassle of cooking; just make sure you check the opening time – and book a table ahead if possible. So this isn't our favorite camp in Africa, it usually functions well and is fine for few nights book-ending a deeper exploration of the Kgalagadi.
Country manager: South Africa
Geographics
- Location
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa
- Ideal length of stay
- You are unlikely to really appreciated Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on a short stay, so we recommend at least four nights in the park, and preferably five to seven. Include Twee Rivieren, at least at the start, and then venture to Nossob or Mata Mata, and perhaps one or two of the wilderness camps: Kalahari Tented Camp, Grootkolk, Gharagab, Bitterpan, Urikaruus or Kielie Krankie.
- Directions
- Twee Rivieren is 250km north of Upington along the R360.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Room Only
- Food quality
- The small but pleasant restaurant at Twee Rivieren offers a standard menu that is good value for money – but don't expect haute cuisine! Tables need to be reserved in advance at the shop.
When we visited in May 2011, we tried the chicken schnitzel with cheese sauce (R65), which was cooked well. Other main courses, served with two vegetables and chips or jacket potatoes, include steaks (R80), lamb chops (R75) and kudu steaks (R95). Starters are priced at around R25–30; and puddings from R20 to R30. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor Dining
- Drinks included
- No drinks are included
Special interests
- Family holidays
- The simple Twee Rivieren Rest Camp is set right at the southern entrance to the superb Kgalagadi Transfrontier and works well for self-drive family safari holidays in South Africa. The camp offers both self-catering facilities and a restaurant, as well as a pool.
- See ideas for Family holidays in South Africa
- Birdwatching
- Visit Kgalagadi on your South Africa birdwatching break to see over 250 species of bird, and two-thirds of Southern African raptor species. More colourful varieties include lilac-breasted rollers, crimson-breasted shrikes and the African hoopoe.
- See ideas for Birdwatching in South Africa
- Photography holidays
- The Kgalagadi offers the opportunity to photograph a good number of animals that wander this fossil desert region including lion, cheetah and the endearing meerkat. There is also the potential for some pretty good landscape photography.
- See ideas for Photography holidays in South Africa
- Wildlife safaris
- The Kgalagadi gets relatively few visitors, making it perfect for those who want to avoid the masses. Springbok, gemsbok, blue wildebeest, eland and red hartebeest can be found here, whilst meerkats, giraffe, leopards, and black-maned lions are also regularly seen.
- See ideas for Wildlife safaris in South Africa
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children are welcome
- Property’s age restrictions
- None
- Generally recommended for children
- Yes
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Twee Rivieren
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
100% success
67% success
57% success
38% success
33% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Communications
- There is a central phone and fax in the offices at Twee Rivieren, and cellphone reception in camp.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- No
- Medical care
- The nearest doctor's surgery is in Upington.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Fire safety
- There is a fire extinguisher in each room.
Activities
4WD Safari
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- There is a launderette where you can do your own washing.
- Money
- There is an ATM at Twee Rivieren, but no electronic safe to store valuables. No currency exchange is possible.
- Accepted payment on location
- Twee Rivieren accepts cash in South African rand, as well as Visa, MasterCard and Amex cards.
Other lodges in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
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.
