Recommendations:
Lonely Planet travel guide says: Kalahari
Safaris comes highly recommended by our readers.
Footprints Handbook says: "Pieter really
knows and loves the Kalahari ..."
Greenwood Guide says: "Pieter was born
in the Kalahari and learnt much of his incredible
bush knowledge from the legendary Bushmen ... "
Welcome to Kalahari Safaris, where your African Adventure
begins.
Kalahari Safaris offers private and / or small group
tours up to 10 people. We specialise in the Kgalagadi
Transfrontier Park and Augrabies Falls National Park.
Our tours start and end in Upington – ranging
from camping to exclusive tailormade tours.
Your guide Pieter, who was born and raised in this
fascinating land of contrasts, learnt many of his
skills from the legendary bushmen. He will share
with you his intimate knowledge of each sand dune,
the specially adapted plants and the wildlife. Pieter
is a THETA registered tour guide.
Kalahari Safaris will explore with you, our special
guest, the hidden beauties of the magical Kalahari
Thirstland. Together we will figure out the secrets
of the predator tracks in the sand roads –
which animal has hunted there? The beautiful Cheetah
or the Leopard that hunts in darkness…?
You will be surprised by the great variety of the
Kalahari wildlife. And after a day rich in discoveries,
we will watch the sun go down over the ancient Acacia
trees, and the night voices of the bush will sweeten
your dreams…
UNWIND…FIND
YOURSELF…
AND ENJOY YOUR STAY WITH KALAHARI SAFARIS!
Mention Upington and the mind conjures up visions
of a desolate and sunbaked Kalahari desert town
where man’s existence is a daily struggle.
But how wrong can one be!
The Orange River runs like a glittering green ribbon
through the beautiful Kalahari Desert. The main
attractions are the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
(250km) and Augrabies Falls National Park (120km).
For visitors it’s much easier to bring this
contrasting ecosystems together with a tour guide
from Kalahari Safaris that grew up and lived his
whole life here.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier
Park
This park is one of the most pristine conservation
areas on earth. It’s 38000km² of truly
Kalahari semi desert vegetation, with the ancient
Acacia trees, red sand, saltpans and wide variety
of desert animals making it a photographers Paradise.
The Nossob- and Auob rivers are ephemeral, meaning
that it’s dry and only flows during a very
good rainy season. (once every 20 years!)
Predators found
here:
Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Aardwolf, Black-backed jackal,
Brown-and spotted hyena, Honey badger, Caracal,
African Wildcat, as well as Cape- and Bat eared
fox.
Antelopes: Gemsbok, Wildebeest,
Giraffe, Eland, Springbok, Hartebeest and Steenbok.
Small mammals: Yellow
mongoose, Meerkat (suricate), Aardvark, Porcupine,
Ground squirrel, Pangolin and Springhare.
Birds: 264 species, of
which 20 raptor species are present.
Together with the small creatures and hundreds
of plants species, it all comes together to form
a truly well balanced ecosystem. And after good
rains the Kalahari explode in a symphony of colours…
Augrabies Falls National
Park
“Aukoerebis” (place of the big noise)
– as it was called by the Khoi people, is
the 6 th largest falls in the world when the Orange
river is in flood. The Orange river plunges 67m
into a 17km long ravine. Activities at Augrabies
are rafting, hiking, game drives to view the diverse
ecological systems as well as visiting the spectacular
viewpoints. Names like Ararat and Echo Corner tells
it all: A lunar-like landscape with strange and
wonderful sandstone formations… The “Kokerboom”
abounds here, even a 800 year old grave of a little
Bushman girl… And a walk on the “Moon
rock” will give you a panoramic view of this
wild and harsh place.
No wonder Augrabies Falls are a sought-after tourist
destination!
Witsand Nature Reserve
In this scenic reserve you can hike in an Acacia
woodland, watch birds coming to drink at an eye-level
waterhole, or you can climb up the 60m high dunes.
Or simply relax at the pool after a long and busy
day of exploring… Sometimes the vervet monkeys
or baboons join us for breakfast!
TOUR 7
AUGRABIES FALLS NATIONAL PARK 1 DAY / KGALAGADI
TRANSFRONTIER PARK
5 DAYS 4 nights
Safari – Day 1
Upington – Augrabies Falls (130km)
Depart 8H30 from your hotel in Upington. At Augrabies
we move into our lodges and take a walk to this
6 th highest falls in the world. After a rest we
depart on a game drive to visit the various viewpoints,
where we get out of the car and do several short
hikes. Sightings of giraffe, baboon, monkey, klipspringers
and dassies are common. Optional sunset drive with
Rangers in open truck and/or half day White Water
Orange River Rafting.
Overnight: Augrabies Falls
National Park chalets/lodges (air-conditioned and
swimming pool)
Meals: Augrabies restaurant
(not included)
Safari – Day 2
Augrabies – Twee Rivieren (390km)
Wake before sunrise to walk the Dassie Nature Trail
through a beautiful part of the Park (5 km –
3 hours) After your hike we pack and depart for
the Kalahari. Along the way we stop at a Salt Pan
and visit the Khomani Bushmen. Lunch at Molopo Restaurant
to sample the local dishes. Afternoon arrival at
Twee Rivieren. Afternoon game drive in the Twee
Rivieren area.
Overnight: Twee Rivieren
chalets/lodges.
Meals: B + D
Safari – Day 3
Twee Rivieren – Mata Mata (190km)
After breakfast we depart for Twee Rivieren and
after a short stop we start our game drive (speed
limit 50km/h) in this 38 000 square km park towards
Mata Mata. Approximate predator numbers: Lions –
450, Leopards – 150, Cheetah – 200,
Spotted hyenas – 370. Bird species are 264,
of which 20 raptor species are present. Antelopes
such as Gemsbok, Hartebeest, Springbok and Wildebeest
are well represented. Optional 3 hour Sunset- or
Night game drive with rangers in an open truck or
morning bush walk.
Overnight: Mata Mata chalets/lodges.
(ceiling fan and swimming pool)
Meals: B + L + D
Safari – Day 4
Game drive to Nossob (150km) on the Botswana
side of Kgalagadi.
Afternoon arrival at Nossob. Optional night drive
or you can sit at the waterhole to see which animals
came to drink.
Overnight: Nossob chalets/lodges
Meals: B + L + D
Safari – Day 5
Nossob– Twee Rivieren – Upington
(405km)
Wake up one hour before gates open, pack up and
depart direction South. Today we search for the
Meerkat and Giraffe, and we might meet the Cats.
After 4 – 5 hours of stalk driving we reach
Twee Rivieren (12h00) Depart for Upington. Late
afternoon arrival at your guesthouse. Tour
ends.
Meals: B + l
INCLUDED:
Air conditioned transport and THETA accredited
driver / guide (Northern Cape Province and Kgalagadi
Transfrontier Park)
Accommodation in chalets/lodges
Meals as per itinerary:
B = Breakfast – cereals, coffee
and tea, fruit juice, eggs, rusks and fruit(apples,
oranges, bananas and pears)
L = Lunch – Sandwich
with tomato, cheese, cold meats, fruit and fruit
juice, coffee or tea
D=Dinner – Braai broodjies(sandwich
on fire with cheese, tomato and onions) salad, corn,
rice, potatoes, vegetables, chicken, sausage and
other meats are available
EXCLUDED:
Conservation fees of R160 per person per
night Kgalagadi, R75 per person per night Augrabies,
payable cash or credit card at Kgalagadi
GUESTS NEED:
Binoculars, sun block, hat,closed shoes for the
evenings, insect repellent, torch and toiletries.
IMPORTANT:
Animals are active early morning and late afternoon
when temperatures are lower.
Please keep luggage to a minimum (towels, linen
and cutlery are supplied)
GATE TIMES:
january 0600-1930 july 0730-1800
february 0600-1930 august 0700-1830
march 0630-1900 september 0630-1830
april 0700-1830 october 0600-1900
may 0700-1800 november 0530-1930
june 0730-1800 december 0530-1930
WE NEED TO KNOW:
1. Your dietary requirements
2. Where to pick you up on day of departure at 08:30
3. Any special interest we should know about?
ALTERATIONS TOURS:
Accommodation may vary due to weather conditions
and availability.
IMPORTANT:
Kgalagadi is very popular and then the
program may be different than the one above. Lodges
can take 2 – 6 persons and you may have to
share a bathroom with your friends.(We will not
put people from differnt groups together!)
Should you wish to have a lodge just for yourself
the price increases with 10%.
Enjoy your stay in
the Malaria-free Green Kalahari!
