DAY 1&2 WITSAND Hear the dunes roar

Witsand Kalahari Nature Reserve will steal your heart. It’s a place of small pleasures: sitting around the campfire, walking in the veld, feeling sand between your toes. It will make you look at a mongoose and think: What a miracle! Kick off your Kalahari holiday with two nights in this park – or end your trip here. There aren’t any dangerous animals so you can walk around and explore. It’s like visiting your uncle on his farm. Before you go, google how to identify pangolin spoor because Witsand is one of the best places in the country to see this rare animal. The reserve is also known for its roaring dunes – the sand makes a low, rumbling noise when you walk through it. This phenomenon is more common during summer when the sand is hot and dry. Even if your chosen dune doesn’t roar, the view from the top will be worth the climb. You can also go dune boarding – hire a board from the reception office for R150 per day. Witsand is the perfect place to try this activity for the first time – there will be no one around to see you if you fall! There are also mountain bikes for hire (R120 per day) and a swimming pool where you can escape the heat. The units in the rest camp are spaced far apart so it never feels crowded. The reserve doesn’t have a restaurant so make sure to bring everything you need. The shop at reception only sells basic supplies and practical souvenirs like hats, shirts and water bottles.