The Nossob and the Auob - the two major rivers in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park - flow very rarely. Two of the three roads open to the public form these rivers' courses. One can rent huts with fully equipped kitchens (air conditioning is available only at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp) and there are camping sites. Facilities in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park include an extensive network of game viewing roads, picnic sites, shops selling groceries (fresh meat and eggs are only available at Twee Rivieren), and a swimming pool (at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp). Wildlife in this park, which is open throughout the year, includes antelopes such as the eland, gemsbok, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest and springbok. The park is also home to the lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted and brown hyena, black-backed jackal and about 215 bird species.

Mile upon mile of rolling rust-red sand dunes, solitary trees and scattered grasses. For lovers of the ambience of untamed Africa, this hauntingly beautiful region has a special appeal all of its own. The Kalahari Desert is a part of the largest continuous area of sand in the world. Its sand plains cover nine African countries: Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (in the north), Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe (in the centre), Botswana, Namibia and South Africa (in the south). The area covers approximately 2,5 million square kilometres and the sand is sometimes well over 100 metres deep.

Today, the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park forms Africa's first transfrontier park with the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana, facilitating the seasonal migration of wildlife in search of water, and the movement of free-roaming predators.  The new 38000 km² park, known as Kgalagadi ('land of thirst'), represents an increasingly rare phenomenon in the world: a vast ecosystem relatively free of human influence.

The ultimate game viewing experience is to watch thousands of antelope gallop as one across the sands. Roads skirt the dry beds of the Nossob and Auob rivers and the relatively barren terrain ensures superb opportunities for observation and photography.

The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park is also one of the finest areas in South Africa for viewing birds of prey. In the heat of the day, black-maned Kalahari lions shelter beneath shady bushes and leopards take refuge in the branches of camelthorn trees, while visitors may cool off in the pool at Twee Rivieren or enjoy a refreshing drink in the restaurant.

Getting to The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park

The park is situated 358 km from Upington, in the Northern Cape, and 904 km from Johannesburg.

Climate of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park

Annual rainfall is 200mm mainly between January and April. Summer daytime temperatures may exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Winter days are sunny with night temperatures often below zero degrees Celsius.

Accommodation in Kalahari Gemsbok National Park

• Amakhulu Central Reservations
  Merl offers a very friendly and professional service to book accommodation in South Africa. She specializes in the Northern Cape and Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. Try her she does have a few great ideas.
  
• Accommodation at Kalahari Gemsbok National Park
  This website is the best I have yet come across for accommodation in South Africa. You communicate directly with the accommodation establishment and the entire booking is carried out online.
  
• Twee Rivieren Restcamp
  This main camp at the entrance to the park has a landing strip for light aircraft as well as a car-hire service. Advance booking is essential. Accommodation consists of chalets with sleeping space for three to four people. Camp sites are also available.
  
• Mata Mata Restcamp
  Mata Mata lies on the border of Namibia and the road from the main camp at Twee Rivieren follows the dry Auob river where most of the game can be found. Accommodation comprises six-bed cottages and three-bed chalets with communal ablution facilities. Camp sites are also available.
  
• Nossob Restcamp
  This camp on the banks of the dry Nossob river, lies on the border of Botswana to the north of the main camp at Twee Rivieren. Accommodation consists of six-bed cottages and three-bed huts. Camp sites are available.