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Is there a best time to visit KTP ?
I am planning my first visit in 2012 and as my diary is totally flexible, any time of the year is possible - outside of school holidays is vital and I would prefer to miss the extreme heat and cold.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
BTB.

I find September/October the best, as it is not too hot or cold.

March if you like a bit of rain!

Another reason why I would second BB's advice is because it will be much drier then which means good photos and more animals comming to the watering holes.

Welcome top the forum BTB, hope you will have a great time here.

I agree with both BB and Switchback regarding the best time (weather wise) to visit the park. End of September/October and beginning of November is not to hot.

KG

Having said all that, there is no bad time to visit. One just has to adapt to the heat/cold/rain.

Hey Hey Sept/Oct 2012 not a good time to go ----- - - just kidding - that's when WE want to go again so we're warning everybody off that time to be sure we can get a booking - were there in April/May this year - twasn't as cold as we expected - short sleeves during the day and warm layers in the early morning - some hardy folk even swam in at Nossob in early May!!

Afternoon,

I have asked the section rangers to send me the temperatures for the last two months, as soon as i have received it I will post it.

The last two days at Twee Rivieren was in the mornings -5,2 and -1,4, it starts warming up at about 10h00 (That is if the wind is not blowing).

KG

Hi harrys
You do not mention if you have an Off-road caravan or a 'normal' one.
IF you have a 'normal' one then the only advise I have for you is DON"T use it in KTP!!!
I can't find the threads about this but trust me!!!!!! Don't!!!!!!!!!!
They are not built to withstand the corrugations of the KTP roads. Every screw unscrews, every door ends up on the floor, everything comes apart The gas pipes of the fridges break and.. and.. and...

I'm planning my first trip to Richtersveld and Kgalagadi next year. Which camps (with chalets preferably) is recommended and how much time must I spend at each?

Hi Herman

In Richtersveld are only 3 camps with chalets:
Sendlingsdrif, the main camp on the Orange river at the park entrance has well equipped chalets. It's good to stay there on your day of arrival. For the next days you should drive into the park and stay at one or both of the wilderness camps. Tatasberg is located in a beautiful scenery overlooking the river. Gannakourieb is also nice, the chalets are larger and more comfortable, with two rooms and the camp is not so popular, so most of the times you will be the only guest there.
If you want to drive all the "roads" and see everything, you need 3 full days in the park.

There are 3 main camps and 6 wilderness camps in KTP. Two of the wilderness camps are only accessible with 4 x 4 vehicle. Chalets are available at all camps.The distances between the camps are vast and your itinerary would very much depend on how many days you have to spend in the park. The wilderness camps are obviously more expensive than the main camps and they only have solar power for lights and gas for geysers, fridges and two-plate burners. They are no plug points in the wilderness camps. Fuel only available at main camps. Likewise it is only the main camps that have a little shop with limited supplies. Cell phone signal only at Twee Rivieren. We like to have at least 2 nights in each camp but I know they are many people that prefer more. All the camps have something special to offer..it is difficult to choose one above the other. If I had to chose I would chose Nossob as my favourite main camp and Urikaruus as my favourite wilderness camp.
Maybe you could spend a couple of hours skimming through some trip reports. You are bound to pick up many hints and tips. Happy planning.

Here you can have a look at the wilderness camps in Richtersveld:

Tatasberg:

Gannakouriep:

@Herman 1170,

If you still have trouble on deciding where to stay in the KTP you are welcome to send me an email and we could work out an itinerary for your stay in the park

KG

Hi all!

Thank you for all your help in answering my previous post on braai and hot plates last month:)

As Im preparing to make my bookings for next year, it turns out that my travel companion will not be able to make it on the dates that we've previously planned. Since that is the only time available for me to travel to SA and KTP, I would like to go ahead with the trip anyway.

In the case I do not manage to find a replacement travel companion, may I ask whether it is safe for a foreign single female traveller to fly to Upington, rent a 4X4 and drive from Upington to KTP and in the park itself? I only plan to stay in at the rest camps on the main roads and not do any 4X4 trails. Will renting a satelite phone also help in case of vehicle emergencies?

While I think I might prefer to go with someone, I think it could also be kind of adventurous and fun to do this trip on my own . Any advice on safety would be greatly appreciated

Thank you
Lavy

Hi lavy81,

I cannot see why not?
Just make sure you travel from Upington in the daylight hours, just so that others can see you should something become unstuck.

I know at least of one jet setting lady mite Arks who often visits KTP alone. You will be quite safe by yourself! KTP has a system whereby they'll know if you did not make it back to camp at night and will come looking for you. Not that anything bad can happen, just in case you have vehicle problems of sort.

Take the plunge! I'm sure you'll love it!