Kgalagadi National Park

Spanning almost 38,000 square km, the park surpasses the size of many countries, ranking among the world’s largest national parks. Located in Botswana’s extreme southwestern corner and adjacent to South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, it results from the merger of South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Botswana’s Gemsbok National Park, marking Africa’s first formally declared transfrontier park.

The park is entirely unfenced, allowing wildlife to freely navigate ancient migration routes, crucial for survival in the harsh desert environment. Immigration and customs arrangements enable travellers to enter in one country and exit in the other.

The Nossob riverbed, meandering through both countries, connects both sides of the park, providing vital moisture. Hosting two of the three Kalahari eco-types, the southwest features duneveld with unique semi-desert vegetation, while the northeastern part comprises Kalahari plains thornveld. The area includes salt pans, influencing grazing and life patterns of the game.

Kgalagadi is renowned for its diverse large mammal population, including powerful black-maned Kalahari lions, solitary leopards, sleek cheetahs, majestic gemsboks, massive herds of wildebeest, graceful giraffes, hyenas, foxes, springboks, and more. The park also features smaller animals like mischievous suricates, ground squirrels, whistling rats, luminous blue-headed ground agama, and barking geckos.

Birdwatching is an integral part of the experience, with over 170 bird species present, and it’s common to spot over 30 species within a few kilometres of the campsite. Set against endless waves of red dunes, dry riverbeds, camelthorn, and shepherd trees, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park offers a magical natural spectacle.