SANParks.org Forums

Maybe I am just irresponsible Hippotragus, but I don't want to hear anything while I am on holiday. My wife's mother died while hersister was overseas, and we rng her, but she could not get a flight (for what I don't know) and continued with her holiday in an unhappy state. It would have been better if she had heard when she got back.

When we go we entrust decisions to those looking after our not so 'lock up & go".

To each his own, I suppose.

I hate cell phones …they literally rule our normal lives …but the fact is, my SO’s job (the thing paying for our stay in Grootklok) is not of the type where he can tell everybody he is going on holiday and will not have coverage for a week or two….if he did so, he would probably not have a job when he returns, and that means no more Grootkolk.
So we have two options, not visit a place like Grootkolk at all, or visit Grootkolk with a sat phone and SO can “check-in’ once or twice a day.
People’s circumstances differ…horses for causes…

Normal reception or through Sats as long as people can keep their voices and tone down PLEASE
I really do not want to know how tannie annie is doing or why the waterpump is not working or whatever. Specially if it comes to Grootkolk, if I succeed in a reservation there I am looking forward to that special "Grootkolk experience"

Jumbo - if you are specifically thinking of staying at Grootkolk, we did get fairly good reception via Namibia with international roaming. We found with odd days "off" and odd days "on" during our trip to KTP we were OK. International roaming would be cheaper than a Sat. phone.

Good day all,

I’m not wild at the thought of phone calls, but it seems reassuring to be able to make a call in case something happens, and we’d like to be in touch with our children.

So can anyone tell me about cell phone coverage in the Kgalagadi Park (particularly for calls to and from the Netherlands?). Our provider gives little coverage, but in case there is coverage by local SA companies, are there locally bought prepaid cards covering international calls?

Your advice is much appreciated

p+t

Hi p+t a very warm welcome to the forums Page 4 has some up to date answers

Hallo all, and many thanks to Dotty for pointing out useful past answers to our question.

We have two follow-on questions.

1. We plan to spend a night at Bitterpan and two nights at Urikaruus wilderness camps, coming from Nossob and traveling to Kalahari Tent Camp. How would the permit system work for us in case something in the way of an accident, tire flats, etc. happened?
2. Someone mentioned hiring a sat phone. How expensive would that be, and can you hire one in Windhoek?

Your answers are much appreciated.

1. Each smaller camp has a camp attendant. If you don't arrive they will notify Nossob or TR, who will then send a vehicle out to look for you (that's the theory, anyway).
2. Satphone hire is about R100 per day excluding calls. You can hire from Vodacom, check with them if they have an outlet in Windhoek, otherwise try Shana shana@sat4rent.co.za

Cell phone coverage in the Kgalagadi Park is nigh to non-existent.
You will have some around Twee Rivieren and Mata-mata (Nossob I don't know about), and that's it.

Sorry, those are not permitted at all.

Eh, what do you mean exactly?
Flats you just repair, after checking to see if it is safe! You are officially not allowed out of the car, except in designated places like picnicspots, but for this no one will punish you. As long as you have clear sight 360 degrees around.

Is there any cellphone / internet reception at Nossob? I am hoping not so my son can have a holiday in peace!

Last time I was in KTP (April 2009) there was no cell reception in Nossob. The only camps where I got cell reception where Twee Rivieren and KielieKrankie.

Hello PennyJS, Have a browse through here

Thanks Dotty - it was quite an interesting read - both sides of cellphones and their use. Seems like my son will be able to check in on his company now and again to see that his clients are happy and spend the rest of the time in peace and quiet.

Goeie môre,
Ons eerste besoek aan KTP gedurende Maart 2010 en vandag, 19/08/2010 op die forum!

Terwyl ons op pad was van Unie End na Gharagab, op die 4x4 tweespoor pad het ons onverwags selfoon ontvangs gekry - vanaf 'n toring in Namibië - ook Afrikaanse radio ontvangs ex Namibië.

Het die punt op my GPS gemerk maar moet nog uitvind hoe om die koördinate daarvan te "herwin".

Spikes

Good morning
Our first visit to KTP was during march 2010 and today, on the forum!
While on the road from Union End to Gharagab, on the 4x4 track we suddenly had cell phone reception- from a tower in Namibia - also Afrikaans radio ex Namibia.
Marked the point on my GPS but have to figure out how to regain the coordinates.
Roughly translated by bert

Edit bert