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In my opinion this thread would gain in interest if the posters would give an opinion, advise or infprmation on the various camps, if not it is just a repetition of the names of the camps of the KTP.

Agree with Mincetta!

We have stayed in all the camps apart from Grootkolk and Gharagab. Loved Urikarus. Mata Mata was my favourite "camping" camp back in the old days when we had it all to ourselves once! There you can touch the stars. Bitterpan was my next best, although we didn't see much game - it was just the peace and quiet, and meeting others with similar ideas. Not so keen on KK. But is was howling a gale when we were there.

Arks, did you also go to Grootkolk and Gharagab in your sedan? I thought they were 4x4 only. We hire a 4x4 whenever we come (from the UK) and it is horrendously expensive.

Gharagab and Bitterpan are 4x4 only, but not Grootkolk — it's just remote, but certainly accessible in a sedan, as is Union's End (I prefer to have more time in the park, rather than spend my limited funds on a 4x4, so Gharagab and Bitterpan are out for me)

Grootkolk is accessible in a sedan but Gharagab not

Apologies arks ..we were obviously posting at the same time!

Nossob - my favourite traditional camp.

Big sandy camping area
nicely refurbished units
small shop open at sporadic hours
fuel usually available
great hide & waterhole
swimming pool
occasional water problems - well it is in the desert for Pete's sake!
barking gecko concert
near to Marie se draai

Somebody else can give an objective view of a camp each please.

Top of the list would be: Nossob
Reason: Marie se Draai, remoteness compared to Auob river camps, hide and waterhole at camp. Best game viewing in the park

Second on list: KTC
Reason: Its not Mata Mata but is in the same area! Good area for Cheetah

then the rest on the list... all rated about the same (cant comment however on the 4 x 4 camps)

Bottom of the list : Mata Mata
Reason: cant put my finger on it, but it has never appealed to me...

However the worst camp in KTP is still better than the best accommodation outside of it!

Best Road in KTP: Marie se Draai

Personnel record for any national park anywhere: Most lions in one day (1988 trip to Gemsbock park as a kid): 9 seperate prides between TR and Mata Mata in one day!!

We has 45 lions sighted in 4 days last time.

We're just about to go to Kgalagadi for the third time.

Where we've stayed:
Tweerivieren - not our favourite camp, but not bad. Good shop and nice small animal action within the camp. We have seen amazing owls here too;
Urikaruus - fantastic camp - great setup with huts not too close to eachother; great base to explore from;
Kalahari Tented Camp - our favourite camp - we will always return. Great pool, great camp setup; fantastic lion and hyena action;
Bitterpan - our least favourite I would say. Very desolate; accommodation a bit too communal for our taste;
Nossob - We like nossob - it has a great hide and is well located for all the fantastic drives north and south; great night drives.
Grootkolk - Very nice camp and this will be our second time there;
Gharagab - There was not much going on for our two nights there - the drive in and out was beautiful - not sure if we would bother again though.

Love this place!

Bush Baptist started this thread so I had better ask him - what about adding the differences found in the camps between first visit, with date, and latest visit? Then we will also get an idea of how camps have grown/improved/deteriorated.

F'r'instance, our first visit to Mata Mata (gemsbok Park) back in the early '80's (have to check my diaries) and it was just a very small shop, a tiny office, the huts at the top above the camping area, with super camping. No park homes, even! Now it's getting smart with river view chalets, a pool, larger shop and office and a new entrance. The chalets still smell of bats but who cares? We go for the animals (even the bats) not the ameneties. A place for a wash and brush-up and a loo are all I ask.

I want to be there!!!!

When I went for the first time in 2000, there were only 3 camps, the main 3. All the others have been added since.
Nossob is pretty much as it was then, except for the refurbishing of the units and the adding of the swimming pool.
2R has had some units added and reception moved to the new building I have yet to see operational.
The access road that was a trying 60 km of twisty gravel has been tarred.

I love the wilderness camps, last year in march we stayed in:

Urikaruus: Wonderful Birdlife, a lioness just seconds after arriving and great cheetah sighting at the road nearby and some cute subtenants "Down under"..



Kieliekrankie: Beautiful dune views, very comfortable, we had wonderful and strong thunderstorms arround one night to watch. Not many wildlife.



Noosob: Nice hide and a lot of birds of prey in the area, but not my favorite camp. We did not had a nice room (5 B) . It was very hot inside, no window in the bedroom, no chance for draught. And when the fan stoped at night, it was impossible to sleep. Love the concert of Barking Gekkos at sunset.



In 6 weeks we will try some other camps (see below)...

Greetings rom Cologne
Ingrid

None as yet but that will change from 14 Feb booked in at Twee Rivieren, Mata-Mata, and Nossob

Booked night drives from Twee Rivieren and Nossob as well as a guided walk from Twee Rivieren

We really looking forward to this trip.

Hallo again,

On our first trip we have had Accomodation at the 3 big Camps MM., TR und Nossob.
On our second trip we have had chalets at Kielie Krankie and Gharagab. It was nice
And now in 2 weeks, we will stay for 1 night at Mata Mata, 2 nights at Urikaruss, 2 nights at Kielie Krankie , 2 nights at Nossob and last not least 2 nights at Urikaruus ,too.

Hope, we can reach the Park via C15 from Namibia


Best wishes
Pascalinah

Me and my hubby have been coming to the park since 1988. Lost count of how many times we have visited. We try to visit at least twice a year.
Camps visited:
Nossob - great hide and N&S roads to travel.
Twee Rivieren- camp site not our cup a tea, chalets ok.
Mata Mata - never liked it bit must say the new River View chalets are great especially in Des.
Rooiputs- Our favourite place on earth
KTC - very nice and great watching animals from stoep
Swartpan - wonderful and very remote
Thupapedi- ok not as nice as swartpan
Mabuasebube pan- Very nice and great view.[/size]
We did the Nossob 4x4 when they just started and those camping sites were remote and wonderful
Hubby has also been to Kieliekrankie and Urikaruus with nephew from AUS:(