8-Days Kalahari Guided Self-Drive Bu...

>> You either collect your vehicle when you fly to Upington for the start of your tour or you drive on your own to Upington if you already have a vehicle. You will meet your guide in Upington.

We drive in convoy to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. 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.

The Kalahari Desert is a large, semi-arid sandy savannah in Southern Africa, extending for 900,000 sq. km. It covers much of Botswana, as well as parts of Namibia and South Africa.

A 4x4 vehicle is best suited for the road and trail conditions you will experience on this tour. Rest assured, your guide is fully qualified to assist you with any 4x4 challenges that you might encounter.

Please note: Refer to our company profile for a summary of the benefits of driving your own vehicle.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Kgalagadi TP

>> Join an early morning drive on an open game-viewing vehicle. The professional field guide will provide information about the animals, birds, vegetation, and more during the drive.

After the morning drive, we explore the Kgalagadi to the north of the Twee Rivieren Camp. Learn about the Nossob and Auob Rivers and how often they are in flood.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park lies in the large sand-filled basin in the west of the Southern African subcontinent, known as the Kalahari. It covers almost one-third of the area and forms what may be the largest sandveld area in the world.

In 1999, Botswana and South Africa signed a historic bilateral agreement whereby both countries undertook to manage their adjacent national parks, the Gemsbok National Park and the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park as a single ecological unit. In 2000, Southern Africa’s first peace park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, was formally launched by presidents Mogae (Botswana) and Mbeki (South Africa).

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Kgalagadi TP

>> 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!

After stretching our legs at the Mata Mata Camp, we follow the Auob River back to the Twee Rivieren Camp. The Kalahari will definitely surprise us along the way.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Kgalagadi TP

>> We explore the Kgalagadi to the north of the Twee Rivieren Camp. 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.

Join a sunset drive on an open game-viewing vehicle. The professional field guide will provide information about the animals, birds, vegetation, and more during the drive. This is also an opportunity to spot some of the nocturnal animals.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Kgalagadi TP

>> We say goodbye to the Kgalagadi TFP and drive to the Augrabies Falls NP via Upington.

Augrabies is derived from the Nama word as the Khoi people would refer to “Aukoerebis” meaning the "place of great noise." This refers to the Orange River water thundering its way down the 56m spectacular main waterfall.

The ancestors of modern history 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.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Augrabies Falls NP

>> You join a day drive in an open game-viewing vehicle. The professional field guide will provide information about the animals, birds, vegetation, etc. during the drive.

Stand next to the waterfall and "feel" the mighty Orange River being forced into and thundering down the 56m waterfall.

We use the rest of the day to explore more of the national park.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Augrabies Falls NP

>> Today we drive to the Riemvasmaak hot springs. The road winds through the most amazing rock formations of all shapes, sizes and colours. The hot springs are one of the must-visit hot springs in South Africa. They were formed from volcanic eruptions that occurred centuries ago.

Riemvasmaak (pronounced "rim fus maack") means "tighten the strap" or "tied with straps". Riemvasmaak is 75,000 ha of sheer mountain desert wilderness located between the Orange and the dry Molopo Rivers. It is a wilderness born from violent volcanic activity millions of years ago, but it is a land of beauty that takes on spiritual proportions. Here you can relax in the hot springs dwarfed by 80m-high granite cliffs or simply set your soul free to soar with the black eagles through the lunar landscape.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Augrabies Falls NP

>> Today we drive back to Upington. This is your last day in the Kalahari region of South Africa. Next to the road, you will see the grape and related farming that is thriving in this harsh environment.

You hand back your 4x4 vehicle to the rental company and 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.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)