SANParks.org Forums

Hi and welcome to the forums Wodwik!

I too have just returned from KTP. I was fortunate enough to have a long discussion on the condition of the roads in the Park with the Technical Manager.

All roads in KTNP are graded once a month, and all roads (well over 500km of them) are dragged (a tracker pulling tyres behind it) once a week. It takes just a few hours for the roads to become corrugated again.

I do think SANParks do everything in their power to ensure the roads are well maintained.

Fast driving (over 50km/h) and visitors refusing to deflate their tyres is what contributes to the corrugations. SANParks have even tried to enforce the deflation of tyres at the petrol station - but there was a huge outcry from visitors to the Park.

There is the 6-8km along the Nossob river bed just outside Twee Rivieren that is being upgraded (with gravel) at a cost of R1million per k/m. So, lets hope this does help with the maintenance of the roads, and in future more money will be forthcoming from DEAT to assist.

My honest opinion: to loose a few tourist will be good for the conditions of the roads. The Kalahari is already loosing that sence of place with all the traffic on the roads and even in the camps! I also don't think one can compare a conservation organisations ability to build roads with national roads in Namibia! And with costs of R1 mil per km I should think there are more pressing issues to attend! But this is just me...

Can anyone tell me if we are allowed to travel over the dunes from Nossob to Mata Mata? I know it is a one-way road, supposedly, and I think only to be used by the Bitterpan 'luckies'! We will have a 4x4 and last year when we stayed in Bitterpan (can't get in this time) we loved the trip through the dunes. We will be staying in Nossob, then in Mata Mata and then KTC before going back to 2R. Only 240 sleeps to go

I think the Bitterpan route can only be used by people staying at Bitterpan. So unless they've changed that, you'll probably need to use the upper dune road instead.

Hi Expat.

Moose is correct...the Bitterpan trail is only for people staying at Bitterpan and is most definitely a one way in the direction from Nossob to Bitterpan and from Bitterpan to the Auob riverbed.

240 days is quite a while...maybe a cancellation will pop up and you may get a night at Bitterpan.

Otherwise you travel from Nossob to Dikbaaardskolk, across the upper dune road to Urikaruus, and then to Mata mata, easily doable in a day.

Thanks for the info Moose, Caracal and BB. Will see what we can do nearer the time regarding Bitterpan. And it is now only 234 sleeps - how time flies when you are dreaming and planning Kgaligadi

Does anyone know when the upgrade of Nossob road will be done, hear it is closed. We are in KTP July for 2 wks, love the waterholes on that stretch of road, disappointing if it still is closed by then

KevinT
Before work actually begun on this road, they had indicated that it would be closed till Sept 2009.
I'm sure as with all constuction work, things change as they progress. I think July ... could be a bit too optimistic.
You there for 2 weeks in July
Closed road and all, I'm sure you will ENJOY

Hi Mites,
Can anyone tell me what the condition is of the road from Andriesvale to TR, and also are the roads in the park still in a bad condition? It is difficult to get a reservation in the park, so I presume that the roads are not that bad. I am hoping to get there some time this year still as I have not been there since 1994, and from the TR's that I read on the forum there appears to be many more animals visible than in the 90's.
Thanks,
OWLET

Good morning all,
Does anyone know when the road works from TR to Nossob will be completed? And also where else can I photograph the sand grouse now that we are not allowed up that road.
Eish. min dae now!!!

I think the road will be closed to September or October, but I am not sure how well the construction is going.

There are usually stacks of sandgrouse at Dertiende Boorgat towards mid-morning. Also at Dalkeith and Craig Lockhart.

Regards,

Mybs

Thanks mybs,
I later on found a thread which also states end Aug or Sept as the completion dates for the road.
Thanks for the info on the sandgrouse!

Ditto what mybs said about the road closure and 13th for sandgrouse...have also seen them at Auchterlonie...although 13th is great as the waterhole is soooo close.

Enjoy!!

I am a bit at a lost here. I have managed to get bookings for Twee Rivieren just prior to the August long-weekend (has the 6th - but maybe even before then - depending on leave) and Mata-Mata for 7,8,and 9 August. However, would it be do-able to drive back from Mata-Mata to Pretoria in one day, or should i cut my Mata Mata stay by a day and sleep over somewhere half-way? I must say I am as excited as a child so need some rational thinking here - otherwise i will have a very upset SWAMBO if i cannot get back in time - need to be back late afternoon of 10th