Steve Bailey’s Journey To Kgalagadi (Day 7 and last day)

To see all previous days of Steve’s journey you can click here!

The last night, sitting on the verandah at Mata Mata Tented camp I took this long exposure capture of the Kgalagadi night.

We woke early, no festive thoughts; today we drive south and out of the park. Nothing of great interest as we drove slowly, never in too much of a hurry to leave.
Forgot to mention that yesterday we had a long distance sighting of three Cheetahs at Sitszas. Not good enough for photographs, but happy we had the sighting to add to the trip list.
We left the park at 10.00, after a very quiet drive, remembered to pay the money back at the shop! Now a long drive south in the direction of Cape Town.
We booked a wonderful Bed and Breakfast in Niewouldtville to over- night.
So another Kgalagadi trip under the belt and again very different from the previous trips, no two are ever the same, some very exciting days along with some very quiet days.

Things of interest about the Park

- Distance from Cape Town plus minus 1200 km, Tar road to the park entrance. From Johannesburg approx 950 km.
- Road conditions all the way are first class.
- Bookings can be made via the internet on the official SANP web site.
- Because of the popularity of the park, it is best to book at least nine months in advance.
- The SANP web site has a wealth of information regarding the Kgalagadi camps, weather conditions etc.
- Road conditions in the park vary, sometimes  they  are very poor and other times  after the parks staff have graded the them, they are very good.  Heavy traffic however ensures  the roads are in a poor condition most of the time. The park advises that sedan vehicles are not ideal, especially during the wet months.  Friends  of mine were stranded for 3 days in the Nossob camp because of flooding. Viewing out of  a sedan is poor as well, the roads are cut deep into the ground and have a “lip” obscuring the view .

- For reasons in these images

Tyres  should be deflated to around one bar, not only for comfort of the drive but to try and ensure there is as little damage to the roads as possible.
- Petrol and Diesel is available at Nossob, Mata Mata  and Twee Rivieren  ONLY CASH, no credit cards are accepted.
- Nossob, Mata Mata and Twee Rivieren  are all fenced camps, all others in the park are not.
- Best time of the year?  I will not make a call, every month in the park has its “special” moments, even minus 12c in July.
- Rental cars are available from Upington.
- Water in the park is of very poor drinking quality and either bottled water or Jerry Cans should be brought along.|
- Twee Rivieren has the only restaurant, all other camps are feed yourself. Food should be bought in Upington  for  length  of one’s stay. The shops at Nossob, Mata Mata  and Twee Rivieren  stock the basics ( but they do have WINE, BEER, WHISKEY AND ICE!! ).
- Camping facilities at Mata Mata, Nossob and Twee Rivieren.
- Swimming pools ( can you believe !!!! ) at Nossob, Mata Mata Tented Camp and Twee Rivieren.      Electricity generated at the three main camps, all others camps solar powered, so be aware to have plenty battery life for camera’s or utilize car chargers.
- Take a medical kit, sun block, anti mosquito spray ( malaria has been known in the park, but for the last 16 trips have not bothered to take prophylactics), torch,matches, birding and animal books, binoculars. I have a tow rope (needed that last year, when stuck in mud NO FURTHER COMMENT ) heavy duty jack, spare spanners.
- Never get out of your car, only in the camps and designated picnic areas, Never feed the animals.
- Be aware of snakes and scorpions in all camps.

Should any of you out there require further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me, I would be very happy  to offer my services on guided tours, rates on request. All my photographs  from the trip ( and previous trips ) can be found on my PBASE web site.

Thanks to you all for reading my stories and allowing me to take you through the Kgalagadi.

Steve Bailey.