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If we can, we always go through Karoo NP before going to KTP
We try to be there at check in time the latest and enjoy our afternoon and evening in the Karoo
Early morning just after breakfast leaving for Upington - KTP
But we have visited Karoo many many times and try to do so every year
I suggest a 3 nights is a good start to do all the things you can do, weather and road conditions permitted
The 4x4 tracks are not always 'open'
The rest of your plans for the park, see what you can get at reservations. Doesn't matter where you stay, every camp has its own secrets and surprises

avon vosloo - thank you your trip report was very informative.

Jonkers - thank you

Regarding the 4x4 track does anyone know what grade these are? in early october i assume not to much rain so hoping they are open.

i am concerned about 4x4 route to Embizweni cottage - will be driving toyota hilux 4x4 with raised OME suspension

Has anyone done a night drive in Karoo and are they always available?

hi

can anyone advise what unit number at mata mata River Front Chalet (RF2) has the best water hole view?

Also Kieliekrankie which unit number is best?

We did a night drive in Karoo a coupla years ago at the west meets east forum meet.

It was quite quiet, except for a forumite from the east falling off the vehicle.

Owling was quite good though.

Kesheshe

Mata Mata-we have only ever stayed in unit 7 of the Rf2...in 3 trip we have been given the same hut 3 times! So can only tell you about unit 7... Nice view of new water hole from verandah but no view of it from bedroom-tree in the way. It actually has a better view of the old waterhole (the old waterhole was in front of camping area-was closed up and the new waterhole dug when the RF chalets opened) I believe the old waterhole is now working again. Unfort I can't tell you much about the other units-hopefully someone else will give you a broader answer!

- kielikrankie: unit 1 is accessible to wheelchairs and is directly next to the camp attendents unit-handy if he sees something interesting! Unit 2,3,4 are all similar- unit 2 has barn owls nesting in its water storage/pump area. I think unit 4 is nicest-it looks slightly away from the others as it is on the end so uniterrupted vistas of the kalahari dunes,but still has a view of the waterhole. Just note that the waterhole is a fair distance away from all the units, in the dip at the base of the dune the camp is built on.

Enjoy!

I am planning to spend about 10 days in KTP in August.

I will be travelling with wife and kids (age 3 and 5) in a Honda CRV (a bit short of a hilux ).

Can anybody who knows the park well, in particular someone who has done the trip with kids have any recomendations and advice for where to stay and for how long at each place? Where to avoid with respect to quality of the roads and kids getting bored/eaten.

The so-called 4x4 route to Embizweni is like the proverbial "walk in the park". I did it together with my son in his Hilux 4x4 on 22 September. I have done the short route via Afsaal numerous times with my Hilux 4x2, but was always a little scared of doing the longer route. But you can do the Embizweni route easily with a high raised 4x2. It was never necessary to use 4x4 - not even diff-lock.

That's the area where you stand the best chance to see the Karoo lions. People who stayed at Embizweni 4 days earlier saw lions twice in that vicinity.

@adrianp

I have not done the trip with small children ( my youngest was 17) but all of the camps except the main 3 are unfenced, and I think do not allow children. Maybe K Tented Camp does, but if so, one would need to watch the youngsters all the time.

The other camps have pools, and 2R has an information centre, big shop and a lot of room. Nossob has a few walks and an info room and a hide. MM also has an info room and hide.

The picnic areas are 'unfenced' and are quiet. They are relatively safe if you have a good look around when you arrive. You might have to chase off the odd lion from the shade - a privilege that still has to happen to me.

KTP is not much like Kruger. It is wilder. But you will enjoy it just the same.

Be watchful, but not neurotic.

I have never done it, but yes, it is always available.

thanks everyone for the info. Stoffel nice to see that the 4x4 routes should not be an issue. i think i will add a few days on the way home from KTP. For info this is the booking i managed to secure at KTP:

2013/10/04 Urikaruus Riverside Cabin (RC2)
2013/10/05 Gharagab Desert Cabin (LC2)
2013/10/06 Gharagab Desert Cabin (LC2)
2013/10/07 Nossob Camping
2013/10/08 Grootkolk Desert Cabin (SC2)
2013/10/09 Grootkolk Desert Cabin (SC2)
2013/10/10 Grootkolk Desert Cabin (SC2)
2013/10/11 Grootkolk Desert Cabin (SC2)
2013/10/12 Nossob Camping
2013/10/13 Nossob Camping
2013/10/14 Kieliekrankie Dune Cabin (DC2)
2013/10/15 Kieliekrankie Dune Cabin (DC2)
2013/10/16 Kieliekrankie Dune Cabin (DC2)
2013/10/17 TR Family Cottage (FA4)
2013/10/18 Urikaruus Riverside Cabin (RC2)
2013/10/19 Urikaruus Riverside Cabin (RC2)
2013/10/20 Mata Mata River Front Chalet (RF2)
2013/10/21 Mata Mata River Front Chalet (RF2)
2013/10/22 Mata Mata River Front Chalet (RF2)
2013/10/23 Mata Mata River Front Chalet (RF2)
2013/10/24 Mata Mata River Front Chalet (RF2)
2013/10/25 Urikaruus Riverside Cabin (RC2)
2013/10/26 Urikaruus Riverside Cabin (RC2)

I am still considering changing this to include Polentswa, Mabuasehube and Rooiputs. At this point i am just happy i got booked!!

I would kesh.

ok i need help regarding the botswana side of KTP!!

I will be traveling in one vehicle so have the following questions:

1. i assume that i need to travel on the 2 way south route to bosobogolo?
2. Can the route from nossop to bosobogolo be done in a day?
3. Would you recommend staying at either matopi 1 or 2 or both?
4. How many camp sites at matopi 1 and 2 and which numbers are best.
5. Can i explore Mabuasehube area in one vehicle?
6. Which camp and site numbers would you recommend in the Mabuasehube area?
7. How many days would you recommend to explore the Mabuasehube area?

For information regarding the above i have a hilux 4x4 fully kitting out and would carry 2 spares, 245lt fuel, 70lt water. i have a fair amount of sand driving experience and assume sand would be soft in October unless early rains - is that correct?

i would take sand mats, high lift jack, hippo jack just in case i got stuck. Any other general advice on the area and drives would be a great help.

It might be that your trip is determined by what you can get. On the 1st of November Grootkolh and Uikaruus were emptied for October 2013 within hours. We were lucky to get our holiday using wilderness camps. There appears to be some block booking going on.

1. Yes - Bosobogolo is the only 2 way route
2. Yes - but it will be one heck of a day. Rather break it up with a overnight stay at Matopi 1/2
3. Which ever is available
4. 1 = 1 and 2 = 1 So 2 in total
5. Yes - Have your own recovery gear (base your selection on thick sand - sand ladder / shovel / airjack etc)
6. Mabua # 4 (most isolated) #2 & #3 share "ablutions"; #1 on a hill but no shade except for the A-frame ; Khiding Pan any site would do.
7. The more the better - minimum 3 nights per "camp"

Sand gets trickier the warmer it gets but you have experience - just go for it.

Enjoy and the best advice is always "think level headed" if you have issues

thank you very much Geraas this was exactly the information i needed.