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Vital Information

Day Visits

There are communal ablution facilities at Twee Rivieren, Nossob and Mata Mata rest camps and picnic sites at Melkvlei (50km north of Twee Rivieren), Dikbaardskolk (56km south of Nossob) and at Kamqua (between Twee Rivieren and Mata Mata).

Park Regulations

To ensure a safe and joyful trip through our parks, kindly adhere to the Rules & Regulations as stipulated by South African National Parks.

Please view the information included in the gate permit and Park map.

Gathering of Firewood

You are not allowed to collect firewood in the Park.

The trees of the Kalahari are slow-growing, producing very hard wood. When a tree or even a branch falls and dies, it becomes a new home for a wide variety of seedlings, rodents, reptiles and insects. Removing the dead wood would rob these organisms of the little protection they have from the natural elements. As a tree grows it draws nutrients and minerals out of the soil. When the branches die and decompose they are returned to the soil as the very nutrients and minerals that are necessary to supply the tree again.

For this reason, plants are able to survive well without the need for artificial fertilisers as long as this cycle is not interrupted.

Feeding of Animals

No wild animals must be fed at any time.

In camps, beware of animals such as jackals who, if allowed, will even scavenge food from your fireplace.

Speed Limits

Please adhere to the speed limits of 50km/h in the Park and 20km/h in the rest camps.

Speeding on dirt roads is detrimental to the environment. Animals often stand motionless next to the road and are not easily seen when driving at high speed. Numerous animals are run over by fast-moving vehicles. By travelling slowly, you also produce less dust. Further, the roads are narrow with sharp turns and are dangerous when travelling at high speed.

Off-road Driving

For the benefit of organisms living in the dunes and riverbeds, and for your own good, please stay on the roads.

Off-road driving has a marked impact on the sensitive ecosystem, not only biologically, but also from an aesthetic point of view. The tracks made in the riverbeds and in the dunes are unsightly and take a very long time to disappear.

Please Note

  • Shops in Mata Mata, Nossob and Twee Rivieren camps sell basic commodities. The closest shop to Kalahari Tent camp is at Mata Mata camp (3km away).
  • There are credit/debit card facilities at all three of the shops at Mata Mata, Nossob and Twee Rivieren.
  • All cards, credit and debit cards are accepted as a form of payment for fuel.
  • A 4×4 with high-ground clearance and low-range capabilities is recommended. It is a must for Bitterpan, Gharagab, Leeudril 4×4 and Nossob Eco-Trail.
  • No Unimags, Overlanders or similar vehicles to Bitterpan, Gharagab, Leeudril 4×4 and Nossob Eco-Trail. This includes trailers.
  • Twee Rivieren is the only camp with a restaurant.
  • As outdoor lighting in camps is limited, a torch/headlamp is required when walking outside at night.
  • The main camps do have drinking water albeit very mineralised. The Wilderness camps do not have drinkable water and one should provide their own drinking water.
  • Guests travelling to Twee Rivieren via Upington (Askham) must note that the tarring of the road has been completed. The road via Van Zylsrus must not be driven at a high speed as the gravel section on this route is badly corrugated.
  • Swimming pools at Twee Rivieren, Kalahari Tent camps, Mata Mata and Nossob camps.
  • Power points at camping sites, in Twee Rivieren, Mata Mata and Nossob camps.
  • Hides at waterholes at Mata Mata, Nossob and Twee Rivieren Rest Camps.
  • Waterhole at Bitterpan, Grootkolk, Kieliekrankie, Urikaruus, Gharagab and Kalahari Tent camps.
  • Bitterpan, Grootkolk, Kieliekrankie, Urikaruus, Gharagab and Kalahari Tent camps are not fenced and therefore no children under 12 years of age are allowed.
  • Guests staying at Bitterpan, Grootkolk, Kieliekrankie, Urikaruus, Gharagab and Kalahari Tent camps must take their own wood and drinking water.
  • Only guests staying at Bitterpan and Gharagab are allowed to make use of 4×4 roads to Bitterpan and Gharagab. No trailers are allowed on these roads.
  • Departure time for the Nossob 4×4 eco-trail from Twee Rivieren or Nossob camp is 09:00.
  • Distance from Upington – 250 km.
  • Pets are not allowed in a National Park.
  • Kindly note that no firearms will be allowed to cross borders either via Mata Mata, Kaa or Mabuasehube nor allowed in the park. Tourists with firearms are advised to use Rietfontein or Boksputs borderposts into Namibia and Botswana.
  • No open game viewing vehicles or vehicles modified with an open roof or roof that can lift up or open or fold down side panels or window panels where occupants will be partly or fully exposed or outside the vehicle with no proper protection will be allowed in the Park.
  • The use of motorbikes and quad bikes is not allowed in the Park.
  • Shoes are essential on summer evenings for protection against the possibility of scorpion stings.
  • Keep an emergency supply of 10 litres of water in your vehicle.
  • In the event of a breakdown, remain in your vehicle – it is the safest place.
  • This is a low-risk malaria area. Consult your chemist.
  • There is a Predator Centre at Nossob Rest Camp.
  • There is a Raptor Centre at Mata Mata Rest Camp.
  • There is an Interpretation Centre at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp, celebrating the ǂKhomani San.