Kamelsleep
Kamelsleep is found in the southern Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, in proximity to the Auob River valley, one of the two major fossil river systems in the park. Its position along historic travel and wildlife routes made it a recognisable stopping point within the broader Kalahari landscape. Kamelsleep holds historical and cultural significance linked to early travel, trade, and subsistence activities in the southern Kalahari. The name ‘Kamelsleep’ (literally ‘camel drag’ or ‘camel trail’) is commonly associated with the use of camels by traders, transport riders, and patrols moving through the region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These routes supported colonial administration, trade, and hunting activities prior to the establishment of formal conservation areas. As part of the cultural landscape of the Kgalagadi, Kamelsleep reflects human adaptation to a harsh environment and forms part of the layered history that includes long standing indigenous land use as well as later colonial era movement through the region.
The environment at Kamelsleep is typical of the arid Kalahari savanna, characterised by low and unpredictable rainfall, extreme temperature variations, and open terrain. Vegetation includes riverine and duneveld species, such as camelthorn (Vachellia erioloba), shepherd’s tree (Boscia albitrunca), and hardy grasses adapted to sandy soils. The area supports diverse wildlife, including large herbivores and predators, benefiting from the nutrient-rich riverine zones associated with the Auob system.
The geology of Kamelsleep reflects the broader Kalahari Basin, consisting mainly of deep aeolian sands overlying calcrete layers and older sedimentary formations. The presence of calcrete closer to the surface in parts of the area has influenced soil stability and vegetation patterns. In addition, the non-perennial river channels, although dry for most of the year, indicate past hydrological activity and continue to play a role in groundwater availability.
GPS Waypoints: 25°49'38.7"S 20°45'18.1"E