SANParks.org Forums

In september Polentswa waterhole was dry (also Kwang); does someone know if SANparks solved the problem in both waterholes?
Thanks for your answers.
Luca/Italy.

Many waterholes in the Kgalagadi are dry and apparently there has been absolutely no maintenance for weeks! These waterholes include Polentswa, Kousant, Kanaguass, Kwang, Rooiputs...

Is it budget constraints or just a complete lack of proper management in the Park? I suspect it is the latter, because for a park that is basically fully booked all year, there certainly should be money available to maintain the boreholes and pump!

Does anyone have more information regarding this shocking situation?

Hi, Rudi van den Heever

There were talks a while back that "they" are going to do away with all man made waterholes in KNP. I do not know if it is true. Please, i don't say the same about Kgalagadi.

Can someone please come back to us.

Do not think that is the case in the Kgalagadi Phillip...

There is no natural waterholes in KTP and the animals and birds are dependent on the man-made waterholes -That is the reason for my concern!!!

Hi Rudi. I am not sure on what basis you are making these assumptions. Based on the title of your topic and the content of your posts, it does seem however as if you are really upset.

I cannot give you a proper answer. All I can say is this though, I've been to most of the National Parks and the high levels of service delivery I got during my recent visit to Kgalagadi (two weeks ago) was by far the best I've ever experienced.

Personally, I therefore find it hard to reconsile your strong comments on 'complete lack of management' and 'absolute no maintenance' with my own experience. Then again, you may have facts at your disposal which I am not aware of.

As far as the waterholes are concerned, I do not know the background to each one. I for one was also initially quite upset about Nossob's one, until the detailed background to it was explained to me.

I truly hope somebody else can give you more detailed info on the other ones.

I was referring to the maintenance of the waterholes Obelix...

I was there in June and all seemed fine as far as the waterholes are concerned. Recent visitors reported on the dry waterholes and we are attempting to find out what the situation is and whether or not we can assist in any way!

The maintenance of the camps are great and we always enjoy our visits.

Just like you guys I'm in the dark about the 'dry waterholes' but KG did say that the problem (or part thereof) was due to the Eland emptying the holes at night. They drink an exeptional amount of water - herds have migrated south/southwest out of Botswana. Seeing them a year or so ago was regarded as a rare sighting.

Hi Rudi,

Warm welcome to the forum.

Tony is indeed correct, please see the posts by Kgalagadi Guru:
Here and here.

JenB,

I think the water holes KG refers to and those Rudi mentioned is clearly different. I can show you a few examples from KG's pics that the waterhole get filled with water in a few hours and not left dried up for days after the Eland left.

See example below of Eland drinking and plenty of water after they left as shown in pics taken less than an hour later.

Don't confuse the 2 issues. The Eland were south and the issue here is the far north - north of Nossob

Yes OK, no need to shoot me.

We'll try our best to get attention to this topic, 'k?

Thanks Jen!

We are really concerned, because this might have a long term effect on the movement of the animals in the park!

Absolutely Rudi.

Please be a bit patient, 'k?
The people who can give us the answers don't necessarily work from 9 to 5 from behind a PC but your concerns are noted.

Thanks Jen. We would love to help where we can but also want the assurance that due diligence is applied with the funds generated in the park from the high occupancy rates. We want to ensure the Kgalagadi remains the special place it is, and would like to assist Sanparks wherever we can.

Morkel, we know that and I believe SANParks does too.
We also know that many similar topics go up from a place of support and deep concern for the place we all love so dearly,