SANParks.org Forums

Dear friends
I am planning my first trip to Kgalagadi. The best time for me to go will be August 2013. But here is the doubt: August is a good month to visit Kgalagadi?

Cheers
Charbel
From Brazil

Hi charbel... from Brazil !

For me every month are good, but in August is cold

In the winter, what would be the least cold months?

Cheers
Charbel

I was once in Septembre... I couldn't get out of the bed... in KTC and my clothes was so cold... the next night I put them in the bed, with me
but I going to return this September

Hi,
Finally we decided when to go to Kgalagadi next year. We will spend 13 days there in June. yes, it is cold,but it is the best time in the year to us.

We have an important doubt in planning our trip and we'd like to ask you for help on that. We are in doubt if it is worth entering Botsuana, provided that we will not sleep in any camp there (we are not so fond of camping and, as far as we got, camping is the only option there). Given that we'll be in a single car and we read that only two cars at least are allowed in convoys in Botsuana, if the landscape and the fauna is the same that we can see in the South African side, it would not be really worth going into Botsuana. But we can be missing important information concerning the landscape and fauna in Botsuana. What can you tell us about that?

All the best
Charbel

I need a further information, if you could provide me. I read in some places that there are cell phone reception only in Twee Rivieren. In other places, I found information that in other camps, such as Bitterpan, there is mobile phone reception, although poor. I would like to know if someone could send me updated information on how is cell phone in Kgalagadi nowadays.


All the best
Charbel El-Hani

Yet another information. Just read in Trip Advisor a lot of people complaining about the number of bats inside the bungalows and chalets in Twee Rivieren. Is this problem solved?

Cheers
Charbel

Hi there Charbel,

Regarding the Cell phone reception, there is only signal at Twee Rivieren and about 10Km out of Twee Rivieren you lose signal. As mentioned there is every now and then signal at Bitterpan (only if weather permits) but not always, so I wouldn’t count on having signal.

The BATS......They have been a problem during the summer months, but unfortunately they have moved into the chalets as it creates a cool place to stay. Management have tried several things to deter the bats. Currently there are no bats giving a problem


Hope it helps

KG

Thanks KG. I will go in May, so probably no problem with bats.

Could you also advise me about the Botsuana part of the park. As the roads are more challenging there and we can only camp there, we are in doubt if they are really worth. Can we see something different from the South African part going into Botsuana?

Cheers
Charbel

Hi,

The roads on the Botswana side is mainly sand roads, on the day they can be worse that the S.A.Side. Unfortunately I haven’t been on them so maybe some mites who have been on them lately can advise you. The vegetation is very much the same, guests driving on the Botswana side is the people who loves roughing it.

KG

Hi Charbel,
For Rooiputs and Polentswa the roads are fairly the same than in South Afriacan side.
(and the campsite are very near.)
In Mabuasheube aera there are some very deep sand sections.
The first 70 km from Nossob to Bosobogolo are not easy (for me !): they are plenty red dunes with deep sand (beautiful!). After this the road becomes more flat and easier.
Hope it helps
yvo

Dear Yvo,
Thanks for the information.
I'd like to inquire further into the fauna there. Is there different fauna in Botsuana part of the park than in South Africa. I get from your message that the landscape seems a bit different, but what about the fauna?
Also, is it still the case that only a convoy of at least two cars can enter the Botsuana part of the park. Is this valid both to Bosobologo and Polentswa parts? As we are in a single car, we'll need to find other interested parts to go there, if this is still required.

All the best
Charbel

Hi charbel. Welcome and good luck with all you planning!

Recently we had cell phone reception (poor) at Bitterpan - just enough for SMSs. At Grootkolk there is a tiny area just outside the camp with a little bit of reception but enough to make phone calls. At Gharagab there was very good reception via the Namibia server (OK if you have international roaming).

You talk about a "car" - remember that you will need a 4x4 with good ground clearance if you venture onto the Botswana roads.

A Do not bargain on cell phone reception further away that 10km from the main SANPARKS Camps.
B Roads are not too bad at the moment, but expect a few new rattles in your car.
C Kgalagadi Guru is right. Only 4x4's allowed on the Botswana side.
D Like on the RSA side, Fauna varies virtually over every dune, but overall it is the same.

Dear Hippotragus,
Thanks for the very useful information about cell phone reception. As I'll be away from home for three weeks, I need to call my wife and little daughter, so to know about cell phone reception is important for planning.

Our plan is to hire a Toyota Hilux. I think it is enough with regard to ground clearance. Do you agree?

Cheers
Charbel