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We spent some time at Bitterpan in May this year, we have a Honda CRV. Apart from the one steep dune on the exit road, where one, as advised by Kalahari Guru, and others - should keep momentum - we didn't have any problems. At this steep dune some people had got stuck before, but by keeping our momentum we got through without any hassles. The only problem was the moment we crested the dune, a HUGE male lion was lying right next to the road, and for a moment the two of us eye-balled each other (my window was open), lion jumped up, and I screeched like a parrot . We managed to stop and take 2 photo's, before the lion stomped away in a huff.
We hired a Satellite phone, just in case we got stuck or had problems, we got a good deal from somebody in Johannesburg, but, thankfully it wasn't needed. The hi-lift jack and sand mats came home unused.

My reservation confirmation from Sanparks states that the road from Samevloeiing to Kij-Kij is closed.
Is this still the case and if so what is the state of the alternative route to Nossob from TR?

Hi Csoper,

Nope the road is open.

Will notify to change the emails send out to customers.........

Thanks LQ your message has been passed on

I'm a newbie to the park and have 6 nights to spend there. Was planning to camp but can't seem to find a camper to rent out of Upington so stuck with renting a vehicle and staying at cabins, unfortunately not many left June 17 - 22. The big dissapointment is nothing in Nossob.
A couple questions, do I need to rent a 4WD or would a higher clearance sedan such as the Toyota Forenza do? And could this vehicle make it to Grootkolk as I feel I would be missing a lot not travelling the road between Twee Riverien and there.
As it is now I'll just be travelling back and forth between Twee Riverien and Mata Mata just to find a place to stay.
Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Stan

Stan,

We just did KTP in a Daihatsu Terios, which you can describe as a Mini Cooper on steroids.
It is about the smallest SUV you can get, but it works totally fine.
From its best angle it looks like this (after a few days in KTP):


You sit higher, like in a SUV, it has a 4x4 mode that actually works (tested), is actually light on petrol (about 1:12) and does not cost too much to hire.
We saw quite a few of them in KTP, it is rather popular. Not entirely sure if you could do the 4x4 path to Bitterpan, but we did meet someone that we suspect has done that trip.

It should bring you to Grootkolk and such.

No, unless you are going to Bitterpan or Garagab.

Yes, or the like.

Quite easily.

Hi. I'm also planning my first trip to KTP (SA side). Although I've got a 4x4 it seems most roads are not accesable without a permit. Where can I get info on which roards requires a permit and which ones is open (not requiring a permit).

Herman,

The main roads leading to the 3 main camps (i.e. From TR to Nossob and up to Unions End; TR to Mata Mata & the 2 "dune roads (taking you across from the Auob to the Nossob river beds, upper dune road and lower dune road), are not subject to permits.

You require permits for all the 4x4 trails - AFAIK only the Leeudril 4x4 is "self-driven", the rest is guided trails.

Roads leading to the other camps (e.g. Kielie Krankie, Urikanuus, Kalahari Tented Camp, Bitterpan etc), are only open to residents (i.e. only if you have a booking may you travel that road).

Hope this helps.

Blackie

Anyone driven Bitterpan Rd recently? What is the state of the road.2 weeks and counting to 6 glorious days of wide open spaces and perfect solitude.

Can't Wait

2 Rivieren 1 night
Kalahari Tented Camp 2 nights
Nossob 1 night 1st time here
Bitterpan 1 night 1st time here too
2Rivierenn 1 night

Went to bitterpan just before New Year's Eve 2013
We were driving a Fortuna (4x4) and only needed to use low range a couple of times.
Suggest you take it slowly and keep a look out for the small unusual sightings ( lizards, snakes, flowers, ant eating chats, swifts etc) and the Korhaans break the silence at regular intervals Just take note that you cannot leave Nossob before 9am on the day of check in at Bitterpan. This came as a bit of a shocker to us as the temperatures late Dec are pretty warm and you don't get to see much after 10 am. We are some of those people who are happy to crawl through the park at less than 10km so could easily have left Nossob at 6 in the morning and still have only reached camp in the afternoon and would have preferred an early start to the day. (Unfortunately there are always a couple of people who spoil it for the rest and who hurry along the track and arrive at BPan way before check in time
( hence the late start)
Bitterpan has given me very special memories - hope you also get to meet the formidable pride at close quarters.
Wishing you an amazing time!!!

Thanks for the advice Gandalf. Hopin.g for amazing and unusual sightings

The road between Melkvlei and KijKij was graded on Thursday.

Grading seems to have gone on all over the park,
but after the rains the roads will be in a state again.
Pretty washed out...

And the northern dune road was in a bad shape
already before the rain (driven on the 24th March).