Remember, as you travel to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National park, part of the route will take you through the African wilderness.

The roads will be different from what many of you are used to, consisting of gravel surfaces, most of them with a fair share of corrugation and potholes, but still passable.

It is all part of your Kgalagadi adventure.


The Trans Kalahari highway - Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa
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The best way to negotiate these roads is to deflate your tires to about 1.6 bar. Stick to the speed limit of 50km/hr which will allow you to avoid the worst potholes and you will do fine. Keep in mind however that some roads are only passable for 4x4 vehicles. If in doubt, check with the camp’s reception desk or with the resident game ranger.


Typical dirt road in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Kalahari - South Africa
By Road

The distances between the major centres in South Africa and the Twee Rivieren gate of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park are long. From Johannesburg it is 1045kms, from Cape Town 1038kms and from Port Elizabeth 1141kms.

Visitors driving from Gauteng or Mpumalanga have a choice of two routes, either via Upington on a newly tarred road or via Kuruman, Hotazel and Vanzylrus with about 340kms of gravel road. For the average visitor that is not a difficult choice to make. Driving from Cape Town or Port Elizabeth the roads are also excellent.


4x4 Wilderness track in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Kalahari - South Africa
All the above routes go via Upington, the last major town before you enter Kalahari wilderness. From Upington to the Twee Rivieren gate is 260kms., of which the last ±70km. stretch from the town of Askham is really bad, with heavy corrugation and many potholes.

Good news is, that the authorities are in the process of rehabilitating it, expecting it to be finished around the middle of 2008. Until then it will take up extra driving time, so allow at least three hours for the trip from Upington to Twee Rivieren.

By Air

Easiest way to get to the Kgalagadi is to fly to Upington, the nearest airport to the Park and then hire a car and drive yourself to the park. Car rental companies at Upington airport include Avis, Budget, Tempest, Hertz and Imperial.

Play safe and book your car in advance. There are three flights daily to Upington from both Johannesburg and Cape Town. Light aircraft may land on a tarred runway at Twee Rivieren. Prior permission must be obtained from the Park. Enjoy your stay, Kgalagadi is one awesome place.

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