SANParks.org Forums

In fact we will not be camping, but yet if it get down to minus 7, for tropical guys wouldn't sleeping bags be a good idea?

Cheers
Charbel

Hi charbel,

We've experience some of the coldest winters in KTP this year end of June to July with rain just south of the park.

I found that a warm jacket, beanie and gloves are essential when walking outside in the evening and early morning. Specially if you want to visit the hide at Nossob.

Our camping gear consisted of sleeping bags rated for -8 degC (First Accent and 360 degree extreme pro 540) plus we added blankets to stay warm.

http://www.outdoorwarehouse.co.za/hikin ... ather.html

Taking extra sleeping bags along might not be necessary, because you will find duvet and extra blankets in your chalet or tent. If you rather want to buy sleeping bags I will recommend to get it in Joburg or Cape Town depending on your flights. The 360 degree bags are cheaper than the first accent and you should be able to get a good bag for R800 (~$100 USD)

Hi Son Godin
Thanks for the indications. We will definitely go to the hide.
I am coming to the conclusion that, once we buy all the other stuff, and are staying in the sanparks accommodations, sleeping bags will not be necessary.

Cheers
Charbel

Can anyone confirm the origin of the name of the Kielie Krankie wilderness camp? I think I remember reading somewhere that it had to do with the mad Scotsman who divided the area into farms after WWI, and also left his marks on waterholes like Craig Lockhart, Dalkeith and Auchterlonie. But I can't find a reference to confirm that. Anyone who can? And what does Kielie Krankie actually mean?

There is a whole list of names and meanings here annie R

Thanks Dotty. The list says "Keliekrankie: Byna siek (waarskynlike betekenis) / Almost sick". I'm not sure this isn't a corruption, though. Research tells me there's a village in Scotland called Killiecrankie, so I suspect it was just another of the mad Scotsmen's nostlagic names from his homeland for a farm or borehole.

If anyone can confirm or deny either version, I'd be interested to know...

According to the info centre at Mata Mata - the names were given to the water holes by "The mad scotsman's" - "Malkop Jackson" - wife who was left at home to fend for herself and find water and food. As she hailed from Bonny Scotland she gave the waterholes scottish place names.

Also the picture of Malkop riding around on a on a Buffalo is actually Mrs Jackson who was only 4'9" tall - Some tough woman methinks!

That's lovely stuff, thanks DSouter!

Hi KG,

Sorry we could not say hi after returning from Nossob. You remember we saw each other at the TR waterhole, you were in the back of a game drive vehicle with your son.

We had a wonderful time in the park. lots of lion in Nossob.

I'd like to ask you; the lion in the attached photo I saw at Kij Kij 17 Sept. Could tell me what the mark is on his rump is? We've speculated that he is a "naughty" lion like jumped the fence at some stage; or been relocated from another park say.



Be interested to know

Thanks

Hi there Tony,

There are a few Lions in the park which had been 'Branded', these are lions which have gone out of the park and we had to go and get them back. Every lion which goes out of the park gets a different brand mark to be able to ID them.

The specific lion in your picture is currently between Leeuwdrill and Samevloeiing, he has met up with another male (Have a look at the cam trap pictures-your male lion is in there).

Thanks for sending the pic I will forward it to the section ranger so they could mark the area you have seen him in.

KG

Sounds too close to argue against.

I saw him as well... and follow for +/- one km... until the water hole, him doing his job, me, mine, marking and have photos
then he went to the South and me to Nossob
but I have to search the date.... just coming back yesterday at home

Hi

I am sure that buried in these very helpful pages somewhere will be answers to the questions i have but so far haven't located them! We are hoping to make a booking on 1st November for our planned trip in October next year - our first to Kgalagadi but before we finalise how long (plan started at 8 days and now running at 14) and where there are a few things that we would like to know, especially as we are uk visitors and will be flying from Cape Town to Upington with the usual limit on luggage:

- we know that the few shops sell basic provisions only but what type of stuff is there? Water and charcoal, firewood i believe but what food stuffs? Meat? Any veggies? and of course beer etc?

-connected with above and to help us work out how long we can survive foodwise, does all accommodation have freezer space - either communally or in each unit?

- if no freezers, or not everywhere,and scarce food supplies in the shops what do you all do about food? we are used to catering for 2 weeks in Kruger with limited buying from shops there but this is the unknown for us.

- have read that there are no paraffin lights in the wilderness camps after the electricity goes off .Is this right? If so what do you do for light? Candles and torches?

- think I've read that its a good idea to get devices to enable you to charge cameras, phones etc in the car - is this right?

You guys have already given us great advice on car hire so we're well on the way to being ready to book but any help on the above- or anything else we should be aware of would be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance!

Click here for the index jelico60 Iy might help your search

Hi jelico60

-shops: there is some frozen meat for sale at Nossob, Mata Mata and Twee Rivieren, although they do sometimes run out, depending on demand. The meat is quite pricey. I have never bought the meat at the camps so can't comment on quality etc. The most reliable source appears to be Twee Rivieren, which has always had meat in their freezers when I have looked. We always buy our food and meat at the Pick n Pay in Upington. Twee Rivieren sometimes has potatoes and onions otherwise there is not much in the way of fresh veg. Never seen fresh veg at Mata Mata / Nossob. You can get canned veg, canned baked beans, spaghetti & meat balls kind of stuff in the shops. Also pasta,smash, soup, sweets, chips, biscuits, colddrinks, water,beers bread(most of the time). Twee Rivieren's shop is quite well stocked.

- not sure where you are staying, but all chalets at nossob, mata mata, twee rivieren have fridge/freezer combinations in each hut. The freezer compartment is quite small but adequate. The wilderness camps also have fridge/ freezer combos-bit larger than the main camps but run on gas so not always as efficient. Bitterpan has a communal fridge and freezer (the last time we were there)

- only twee rivieren is on the national electricity grid and therefore has electricity 24 hours. Mata mata and nossob, the power gets turned off at about 10pm and comes back on half hour before gates open. We use torches when power is off. Wilderness camps run on solar power stored in batteries so you may be able to have enough power for lights during the night if you use the power carefully-other wise, torches.

- you can get an invertor for your car which plugs into the cigarette lighter and converts the DC current to AC and so you can use your usual charger to charge your mobile phone/camera batteries etc. If you are staying in the main camps you will have electricity so you can charhe there. If you are staying in the wilderness camps, there are no electricity plugs so you may need something like an invertor.

Hope this helps-shout if you have more questions and will do our best to answer!