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Hi there Debbyhug,

Having all the rescue equipment is always good, but for the Bitterpan road it would be just too much equipment. For the month that you will be visiting the sand will not be that loose so all you would need is enough momentum to get you over the dune, there is one spot where the sand can be tricky but again if you have the momentum it shouldn’t be a problem. Once you tackle a dune just go low range 3rd gear.

Enjoy

KG

Thanks that makes me feel a whole lot better about doing this trip. We have a Suzuki Vitara with low range. So now can enjoy this bush experience.

Well seeing as offroading is something I do a lot I may offer some advice here.

I was at Bitterpan recently and I must admit that I was a bit upset to find the slopes of the dunes in the condition they are in.

Most of the dunes have deep(ish) ruts caused by overinflated tyres and wheel-spin. These ruts have now become cross axles which causes your vehicle to sway from side to side.

It's not too bad at the moment but it will get worse if visitors aren't encouraged to adhere to the following:

1. Purchase a tyre pressure meter and deflate your tyres to 1 bar in front and, depending on your load, 1 - 1.2 at the back. Tyre pressure is the key to sand driving;
2. Engage 4L (Low Range) and drive in either 1st or 2nd gear up the dunes;
3. Should you get stuck, which I doubt will happen, reverse and attempt the dune again with a LITTLE more speed. Do not spin your wheels thinking you will get out as you will only dig yourself in deeper;
4. Engage 4H (High Range) once your reach the plato but keep the vehicle in 4 wheel-drive to limit damage to the road.

I don't think sand ladders or shovels are necessary at all but at if you have the gear take it with.

Driving that road in 2 wheel drive with tyre pressure at 1.5 is what's causing the cross-axles and the deteriaration of the road.

I was a bit surprized by the Sanparks staff member who advised me to deflate my tyres to 1.5 bar. This is way too stiff.

My 2.28 cents worth.

Many thanks for the advice, which was exactly what I was hoping for. Have done a 4x4 course but not done much driving, so your advice was spot on.

Debbyhug,

If you cannot make it to the top a dune you can reverse and have a second go. Close to camp one reach a deep sandy intersection were you need to turn right and not stop to give it a thought. If you get stuck here it will be difficult to get out by just reversing.

Some call it Willem se draai named after the camp attendant at Bitterpan. Make sure Nossob radio through to Bitterpan so that he knows you are on your way and when to expect you to arrive just incase you get stuck along the way.

Most drivers find it easy but many got stuck as well. Hope you journey is safe. When traveling the route I made used of my cellphones Garmin maps but lost the route about 20 km before Bitterpan. If you can get Tracks4africa maps it will help to make quick decision when the road suddenly split. The road is straight forward but I would say a GPS will just give you that peace of mind that you are on the right track.

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