An unforgettable experience in the Kalahari Desert

Kalahari is derived from the Tswana word Kgala, meaning "the great thirst", or Kgalagadi, meaning "a waterless place". The Kalahari has vast areas covered by red sand without any permanent surface water. One of the unique facts about it is that most of the desert is not considered a real desert, due to the amount of rainfall the area receives. The Kalahari Desert has been home to the native San Bushmen for over 20,000 years. It is the second-largest desert in Africa.

Highlights

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Augrabies Falls National Park

Kalahari Desert

Scenery

Red dunes

Black-mained lions of the Kalahari

Riemvasmaak Hot Springs

Orange River Gorge

Map

South Africa

Start Point: Pretoria

Day 1

Kuruman Red Sands

Day 2 - 4

Augrabies Falls NP Augrabies Falls Rest Camp

Day 5

Kgalagadi TP Kgalagadi Lodge Budget Camping

Day 6 - 8

Kgalagadi TP Rooiputs Wild Camping

Day 9 - 10

Kgalagadi TP Nossob Rest Camp

Day 11

Kgalagadi TP Gharagab Wilderness Camp

Day 12

Kgalagadi TP Nossob Rest Camp

Day 13 - 14

Kgalagadi TP Kgalagadi Lodge Budget Camping

Day 15 - 16

Kimberley Kosmos Guest House

Day 17

Pretoria (No accommodation)

End Point: Pretoria

Day 1

Kuruman

It's time to begin your safari: welcome to South Africa! We know you'll love the wildlife and people of this fabulous country, and your safari journey will get underway after a few brief formalities.

Kuruman is a small town in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. It is known for its scenery and the Eye of Kuruman, a geological feature that brings water from deep underground. The abundance of water produces an unexpected swathe of green amidst the barren plains and is known as the "Oasis of the Kalahari". It was at first a mission station of the London Missionary Society founded by Robert Moffat in 1821. It was also the place where David Livingstone arrived for his first position as a missionary in 1841. The Kuruman River, which is dry except for flash floods after heavy rain, is named after the town.

Discover a family-run retreat, Red Sands Country Lodge, that is nestled amongst the natural beauty of the scenic Kuruman hills, on the edge of the ancient Ghaap plateau, in the Northern Cape of South Africa.

Just 15km west of the historic town of Kuruman, you will find the peaceful Red Sands Country Lodge that invites all visitors, whether you are a family on holiday, travelling for business, or enjoying a night out with someone special, Red Sands Country Lodge offers a value-for-money experience for everyone.

Activities Day 1

Early Morning

Meet your guide. The time and place of the meeting will be communicated before the start of the tour., Pretoria

Rest of Day

Drive in convoy to Red Sands., Red Sands

Around Lunchtime

We will stop along the way for you to buy lunch and to stretch legs.

Evening

You have the choice of preparing your own food or eat at the local restaurant., Red Sands

Night

Camp at Red Sands., Red Sands

Accommodation Day 1

Red Sands

Red Sands offers several electrified camping and caravan sites among shady camel thorn trees. Each stand is equipped with a braai area.

Whether you are camping or glamping, we have a choice for you. Campers can choose between using our clean communal ablution facilities, or opt for a private ablution facility, which includes a toilet, basin, shower and outside washing basin.

Day 2 to 4

Augrabies Falls National Park

When you first set eyes – or ears – on the explosive Augrabies Falls, you’ll undoubtedly know how it acquired its Khoisan name, which means ‘Place of Great Noise’. The surrounding national park protects a scenic landscape of granite gorges and domes populated by giraffes, zebra and antelope.

Klipspringer and quiver trees stand in stark silhouettes against African skies in this unique geological environment, where only those who can adapt ultimately survive. The Park is home to the majestic Augrabies Falls, which freefalls 56 meters into the spectacular 18km gorge below.

Modern ancestors have inhabited the area surrounding the Orange River since the Early Stone Age. During this time, there is evidence that early man had developed weapons for hunting animals like hippopotamus. They knew to establish themselves near good water sources like the Orange River. During the Middle Stone Age, man had created more formal work tools and began to utilise fire. The Late Stone Age, which dates back 22,000 years, is characterised by tools that are smaller than the previous periods.

Activities Day 2

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast or have breakfast at the local restaurant., Red Sands

All Day

Drive in convoy on tarred roads to Agrabies Falls National Park., Augrabies Falls National Park

Evening

You have the choice of preparing your own food or eat at the local restaurant., Augrabies Falls Rest Camp

Night

This is your first night in the Kalahari Region. Who knows what nature has in store for you tonight., Augrabies Falls Rest Camp

Activities Day 3

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast or have breakfast at the local restaurant., Augrabies Falls Rest Camp
Join a day drive., Augrabies Falls Rest Camp

Afternoon

Stand next to the waterfall and "feel" the mighty Orange River being forced into and thundering down the 56m waterfall., Augrabies Falls National Park

Evening

You have the choice of preparing your own food or eat at the local restaurant., Augrabies Falls Rest Camp

Activities Day 4

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast or have breakfast at the local restaurant., Augrabies Falls Rest Camp

All Day

Visit Riemvasmaak hot springs.

Evening

You have the choice of preparing your own food or eat at the local restaurant., Augrabies Falls Rest Camp

Night

This is your last night next to the Augrabies Falls., Augrabies Falls Rest Camp

Accommodation Day 2 to 4

Augrabies Falls Rest Camp

Chalet

You're going to be staying with us at Augrabies Falls Rest Camp. It's an excellent base for getting to know the region and getting ready for what comes next.

More than half of the campsites in the camp area are set in a wonderfully shady area. The campsites have electricity and besides the usual ablution facilities, there is also a communal kitchen, laundry and ironing room.

Day 5

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

One of the world’s largest protected areas, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park extends across 38,000km² of the malaria-free Kalahari, split between South Africa and Botswana. Even as you drive to the entrance gate, a full 250km from the nearest town, you feel like you’re entering an older, wilder and more remote world. Once there, a landscape of red dunes and rolling seasonal grassland is hemmed in by dry riverbeds where gemsbok, wildebeest and springbok graze in the shade of ancient camelthorns. And while there are no elephants, rhinos or buffalo in Kgalagadi, few safari destinations are so rewarding for big cats, smaller carnivores and birds of prey.

Activities Day 5

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast or have breakfast at the local restaurant.

All Day

Drive in convoy on tarred roads to the Kgalagadi. Next to the road, you will see the grape and related farming that is thriving in this harsh environment. As we drive northwards, the Kalahari will start to reveal herself to you. She will welcome you with views of red dunes and salt pans next to the road., Kgalagadi Lodge

Evening

You have the choice of preparing your own food or eat at the local restaurant., Kgalagadi Lodge Restaurant

Accommodation Day 5

Kgalagadi Lodge Budget Camping

You're going to be staying with us at Kgalagadi Lodge Budget Camping. It's an excellent base for getting to know the region and getting ready for what comes next. The 4-star camping area has campsites with private ablution facilities, all with luxury bathrooms including shower, outside dishwashing facility, and power sockets.

Day 6 to 8

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

The Kalahari Desert is a large semi-arid sandy savannah in southern Africa, covering 900,000 square kilometres (350,000 sq mi) and covering most of Botswana and parts of Namibia and South Africa.

Kalahari is derived from the Tswana word Kgala, meaning 'the great thirst', or Kgalagadi, meaning 'a waterless place'; the Kalahari has vast areas of red sand without any permanent surface water.

A semi-desert with vast areas of excellent grazing land after good rains, the Kalahari supports more animals and plants than a true desert, such as the Namib Desert to the west. Rainfall is low and summer temperatures are very high. The driest areas typically receive 110-200 millimetres (4.3-7.9 in) of rain per year, and the wettest areas just over 500 millimetres (20 in). The surrounding Kalahari Basin covers over 2,500,000 square kilometres (970,000 sq mi) and extends into Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, and into parts of Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Activities Day 6

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast or have breakfast at the local restaurant., Kgalagadi Lodge Restaurant
Enter the Kgalagadi Tranfrontier Park., Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
After we have finalised all the formalities at the Twee Rivieren Gate, we drive to the Rooiputs Camp on the Botswana side of the Kgalagadi., Rooiputs Wild Camping
Along the way, you will see some of the wildlife of the Kgalagadi next to the road and at waterholes., Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Set up camp and prepare for wild camping in the Kgalagadi. Your guide will discuss the safety measures required to camp safely in this area of the Kgalagadi., Rooiputs Wild Camping

Late Afternoon

You prepare your own meal on an open fire or using the gas appliances in your vehicle., Rooiputs Wild Camping

Night

Maybe the roar of lions will keep you awake tonight., Rooiputs Wild Camping

Activities Day 7

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast using the gas appliances in your vehicle., Rooiputs Wild Camping
Visit the Auchterlonie museum and discover what it was like to live here 100 years ago., Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

All Day

Explore the area around the Rooiputs Camp., Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Always be on the lookout for wild animals in and around the camp., Rooiputs Wild Camping

Afternoon

The Leeudril 4x4 loop is on the menu for today. This is an interesting 4x4 trail crossing the dunes. Along this trail, you will experience more of the remoteness of the Kalahari.

Late Afternoon

You prepare your own meal on an open fire or using the gas appliances in your vehicle., Rooiputs Wild Camping

Activities Day 8

Morning

We follow the Auob River to the Mata Mata Camp. This is a slow drive visiting the waterholes along the river. Each waterhole will offer its own surprise. The Kalahari will reveal more of herself as we drive, who knows what animals and birds we will see on the dunes next to the river!
Take food with to prepare/eat brunch at a picnic site., Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Afternoon

After a short break, we follow the Aub River back to the Rooiputs Camp., Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Late Afternoon

You prepare your own meal on an open fire or using the gas appliances in your vehicle., Rooiputs Wild Camping

Accommodation Day 6 to 8

Rooiputs Wild Camping

Rooiputs is an unfenced campsite on the Botswana side of the Kgalagadi, hidden amongst red dunes and camel thorn trees, with six A-frame campsites scattered throughout the camp. The campsites are well separated from each other giving you the feeling that you are camping alone in the wilderness.

Day 9 & 10

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Activities Day 9

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast using the gas appliances in your vehicle., Rooiputs Wild Camping
Drive in convoy to the Nossob Camp on gravel roads., Nossob Rest Camp

Evening

You prepare your own meal on an open fire or using the gas appliances in your vehicle., Nossob Rest Camp

Activities Day 10

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast using the gas appliances in your vehicle., Nossob Rest Camp

All Day

Explore the area around Nossob., Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Evening

You prepare your own meal on an open fire or using the gas appliances in your vehicle., Nossob Rest Camp

Accommodation Day 9 & 10

Nossob Rest Camp

Chalet

Nossob Rest Camp is fenced and situated within the dry riverbed of the Nossob. The camp is surrounded by tree savannah and is famous for spectacular predator sightings. The camp has a reception, swimming pool, predator information centre, shop and fuel facilities. A generator provides electricity for 16.5 hrs per day. No phone reception is available at the camp which adds to the tranquillity and peaceful atmosphere at Nossob. Nossob is 3,5 hour drive from Twee Rivieren.

Day 11

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Activities Day 11

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast using the gas appliances in your vehicle., Nossob Rest Camp

Drive to Union's End. Union's End is the most northwesterly point in South Africa and the northernmost point of the Northern Cape It is the point where the borders of South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana intersect. The name of the point dates to the Union of South Africa.

Afternoon

Drive back on gravel roads to the turnoff to the Gharagab Wilderness Camp., Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Follow the two spoor trail across the dunes to the Gharagab Wilderness Camp., Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Evening

You prepare your meal on an open fire, using the fully equipped kitchen of the cabin or using the gas appliances in your vehicle., Gharagab Wilderness Camp

Accommodation Day 11

Gharagab Wilderness Camp

Located in the far northern region of the park, will provide guests with elevated views of Kalahari dunes and the thornveld savannah. Situated 164 km (four hours) drive north of Nossob on the road to Unions End. The closest shop and fuel supply is at Nossob, where guests who have booked Gharagab also check-in. The camp is unfenced, and there is a tourism assistant on duty. The camp is accessible by 4x4 vehicles only, travelling on a one-way access road that is open to Gharagab residents only.

The camp has four log cabins.

Day 12

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Activities Day 12

Morning

Prepare your breakfast using the fully equipped kitchen of the cabin or gas appliances in your vehicle., Gharagab Wilderness Camp
Follow the two-spoor trail over the dunes to Nossob. Be not surprised if you encounter lions in the dunes., Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Evening

You prepare your own meal on an open fire or using the gas appliances in your vehicle., Nossob Rest Camp

Accommodation Day 12

Nossob Rest Camp

Chalet

Nossob Rest Camp is situated within the dry riverbed of the Nossob. The camp is surrounded by tree savannah and is famous for spectacular predator sightings. The camp has a reception, swimming pool, predator information centre, shop and fuel facilities. A generator provides electricity for 16.5 hrs per day. No phone reception is available at the camp which adds to the tranquillity and peaceful atmosphere at Nossob. Nossob is 3,5 hour drive from Twee Rivieren.

Day 13 & 14

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Activities Day 13

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast using the gas appliances in your vehicle., Nossob Rest Camp

All Day

Drive in convoy on gravel roads to the Kgalagadi Lodge., Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Evening

You have the choice of preparing your own food or eat at the local restaurant., Kgalagadi Lodge Restaurant

Activities Day 14

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast or have breakfast at the local restaurant., Kgalagadi Lodge Restaurant
Explore the Kgalagadi to the north of the Twee Rivieren Camp., Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Around Lunchtime

Drive the 4x4 trail in the dunes on the Kgalagadi Lodge farm., Kgalagadi Lodge

Evening

You have the choice of preparing your own food or eat at the local restaurant., Kgalagadi Lodge Restaurant

Night

This is your last night in the Kalahari., Kgalagadi Lodge

Accommodation Day 13 & 14

Kgalagadi Lodge Budget Camping

You're going to be staying with us at Kgalagadi Lodge Budget Camping. It's an excellent base for getting to know the region and getting ready for what comes next. The 4-star camping area has campsites with private ablution facilities, all with luxury bathrooms including shower, outside dishwashing facility, and power sockets.

Day 15 & 16

Kimberley

Kimberley is the capital city of South Africa’s Northern Cape Province. It’s known for its 19th-century diamond mines, like the deep, hand-dug Big Hole. Nearby, the Kimberley Mine Museum is a re-creation of the town in its heyday and displays jewellery and uncut diamonds.

Activities Day 15

Morning

Prepare your own breakfast or have breakfast at the local restaurant., Kgalagadi Lodge Restaurant

All Day

Drive in convoy on tarred roads to Kimberley., Kimberley

Evening

We will use the braai at the guest house to braai., Kimberley

Activities Day 16

Morning

We will find a restaurant where you can buy yourself breakfast., Kimberley
Visit the Kimberley Big Hole. 150 years ago, the site of the Big Hole was a featureless, flat-topped hill. When word spread that diamonds had been discovered, thousands of prospectors, armed with nothing more than picks, shovels and hope, descended on Kimberley and created the largest hand-dug excavation in the world.

Kimberly is one of the most unique and authentic historical destinations in South Africa, because of the Kimberley diamond mine, which occupies a surface of 17 hectares, 463 meters wide, for a depth of 240 meters, and it used to be active from 1871 to 1914. The Big Hole in Kimberley is considered one of the deepest cavities excavated by man with a depth of 200 m2. Next to the Big Hole is the Kimberley Mine Museum, the first-ever discovery of diamond reserves in the country. One of the most interesting facts about the Big Hole in Kimberley is that after the mining operations were finally over, the Big Hole became the most visited tourist attraction in Kimberley.

Evening

We will use the braai at the guest house to braai., Kimberley
Discuss the events and adventures of the tour., Kimberley

Accommodation Day 15 & 16

Kosmos Guest House

Kosmos Guest House is situated in the tranquil Kimberley suburb of Hadison Park and offers a peaceful overnight stay en route to the flowers of the West Coast or the Game Parks in Namibia. We offer elegant rooms and excellent service to set the tone for an unforgettable stay.

Rooms are separate from the main house with private entrances and en-suite bathrooms with showers. All rooms feature air-conditioning and have DStv, Wi-Fi, a small fridge, microwave oven, tea- and coffee-making facilities and rusks. We offer electric blankets in winter and a full English breakfast during the week.

Facilities include 2 sparkling pools, 2 braai areas and secure parking.

It is close to the City Centre and main routes as well as the famous Open Mine.

Day 17

Your last day with us

As our time together draws to a close, we say goodbye to our new friends and head back home. You will continue your journey to your next destination on your own, whenever you feel ready to leave. We hope that you will cherish the unforgettable memories you have made during your time with us and that you will have plenty of beautiful photos to share with your loved ones and friends.

Activities Day 17

Morning

We will find a restaurant where you can buy yourself breakfast., Kimberley

Drive in convoy on tarred roads to Pretoria

Around Lunchtime

We will stop along the way for you to buy lunch and to stretch legs.

Tour starts per person from	R 18,655.50
Additional Price Information The rate is per person sharing a 4x4 vehicle. International conservation fees apply to non-South African residents (R46 052.00 per vehicle with 2 adults). Local conservation fees apply to South African residents (R37 311.00 per vehicle with 2 adults).

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Kalahari Guided Self-Drive Budget/Wild Camping Tour

An unforgettable experience in the Kalahari Desert

Highlights

Kuruman

Activities Day 1

Early Morning

Rest of Day

Around Lunchtime

Evening

Night

Red Sands

Augrabies Falls National Park

Activities Day 2

Morning

All Day

Evening

Night

Activities Day 3

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Activities Day 4

Morning

All Day

Evening

Night

Augrabies Falls Rest Camp

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Activities Day 5

Morning

All Day

Evening

Kgalagadi Lodge Budget Camping

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Activities Day 6

Morning

Late Afternoon

Night

Activities Day 7

Morning

All Day

Afternoon

Late Afternoon

Activities Day 8

Morning

Afternoon

Late Afternoon

Rooiputs Wild Camping

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Activities Day 9

Morning

Evening

Activities Day 10

Morning

All Day

Evening

Nossob Rest Camp

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Activities Day 11

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Gharagab Wilderness Camp

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Activities Day 12

Morning

Evening

Nossob Rest Camp

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Activities Day 13

Morning

All Day

Evening

Activities Day 14

Morning

Around Lunchtime

Evening

Night

Kgalagadi Lodge Budget Camping