An immense wilderness of grass-covered dunes traversed by two dry , ancient riverbeds, the Kgalakgadi National Park is Africa’s largest and extends over 34 390 sq km across territory almost twice the size of the Kruger National Park. Jointly managed by South Africa and Botswana, the border within the Kgalakgadi National Park is unfenced and the wildlife is free to migrate.
The two major rivers of the Kgalakgadi National Park , the Nosob and the Auob, flow on very rare occasions. Their beds meet near Twee Rivieren camp and the combined channel continues southward to enter the Molopo River outside the Kgalakgadi National Park. Of the three roads open to the public, two follow the courses of the Nosob and the Auob.
The Kalahari is not a true desert, but semi-desert savannah. Much of the Kgalakgadi National Park is covered by low sand ridges best seen from the road between Rooibrak and Dikaardskolk. When the first rains fall a great variety of annuals burst into flower, bringing colour to the arid landscape. Two ground creepers, the ‘tsama’ melon and the wild cucumber, are important as their fruits are eaten by a wide range of animals.
Although Twee Rivieren is situated in the most arid region of the Kgalakgadi National Park, wildlife is surprising plentiful. The Kgalakgadi does not support the diversity of antelope found in savannah parks but an astonishing 19 species of carnivore are present, including the black-maned Kalahari lion, cheetah, brown hyena, wild cat, and honey badger. Raptors such as martial, tawny and bateleur eagles as well as the pale chanting goshawk are commonly sighted.
A total of 40 windmills have been erected in the riverbeds, providing water for the wildlife. The essential attraction of the Kgalakgadi National Park is that it offers the ordinary tourist ready and safe access to this desert wilderness without the need to mount a full scale expedition. |
