8-Day Kalahari Guided Self-Drive Mid Range Tour

Arrive in Upington, meet your guide and drive in convoy to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Day 1Arrive in Upington, meet your guide and drive in convoy to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Arrive in Upington, meet your guide and drive in convoy to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park You either collect your vehicle when you fly to Upington for the start of your tour or you self-drive to Upington if you already have a vehicle. You will meet your guide in Upington. We drive in convoy to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. As we drive northwards, the Kalahari will start to reveal herself to you. She will welcome you with views of red dunes and salt pans next to the road. The Kalahari Desert is a large, semi-arid sandy savannah in Southern Africa, extending for 900,000 sq. km. It covers much of Botswana, as well as parts of Namibia and South Africa. A 4x4 vehicle is best suited for the road and trail conditions you will experience on this tour. Rest assured, your guide is fully qualified to assist you with any 4x4 challenges that you might encounter. Please note: Refer to our company profile for a summary of the benefits of driving your own vehicle. Main Destination: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Best Time To Visit March to May (The riverbeds attract animals) High Season Never (The park never gets very crowded) Best Weather May to Seotember (Less hot during the day) Wildlife in Kgalagadi TP LionCommon CheetahCommon WildebeestCommon HyenaCommon LeopardOccasional GiraffeRare Show more Wild DogRare ElephantNone White RhinoNone Black RhinoNone BuffaloNone ZebraNone HippoNone Accom

Explore the Kgalagadi around the Twee Rivieren Camp

Day 2Explore the Kgalagadi around the Twee Rivieren Camp Explore the Kgalagadi around the Twee Rivieren Camp Join an early morning drive on an open game-viewing vehicle. The professional field guide will provide information about the animals, birds, vegetation, etc. we see during the drive. After the morning drive, we explore the Kgalagadi to the north of the Twee Rivieren Camp. Learn about the Nossob and Auob Rivers and how often they are in flood. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park lies in the large sand-filled basin in the west of the Southern African subcontinent, known as the Kalahari. It covers almost one-third of the area and forms what may be the largest sandveld area in the world. In 1999, Botswana and South Africa signed a historic bilateral agreement whereby both countries undertook to manage their adjacent national parks, the Gemsbok National Park and the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park as a single ecological unit. In 2000, Southern Africa’s first peace park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, was formally launched by presidents Mogae (Botswana) and Mbeki (South Africa). Main Destination: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Accommodation: Twee Rivieren Rest Camp Mid-range rest camp located inside Kgalagadi TP Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included

Drive to the Mata Mata Camp and back

Day 3Drive to the Mata Mata Camp and back Drive to the Mata Mata Camp and back We follow the Auob River to the Mata Mata Camp. This is a slow drive visiting the waterholes along the river, each offering a surprise. The Kalahari will reveal more of herself as we drive. Who knows what animals and birds we will see on the dunes next to the river? After stretching our legs at the Mata Mata Camp, we follow the Auob River back to the Twee Rivieren Camp. The Kalahari will definitely amaze us along the way. Main Destination: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Accommodation: Twee Rivieren Rest Camp Mid-range rest camp located inside Kgalagadi TP Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included

Explore the Kgalagadi around the Twee Rivieren Camp

Day 4Explore the Kgalagadi around the Twee Rivieren Camp Explore the Kgalagadi around the Twee Rivieren Camp We explore the Kgalagadi to the north of the Twee Rivieren Camp. The Leeudril 4x4 Loop is on the menu for today. This is an interesting 4x4 trail crossing the dunes. Along this trail, you will experience more of the remoteness of the Kalahari. Join a sunset drive on an open game-viewing vehicle. The professional field guide will provide information about the animals, birds, vegetation, and more we see during the drive. This is also an opportunity to spot some of the nocturnal animals. Main Destination: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Accommodation: Twee Rivieren Rest Camp Mid-range rest camp located inside Kgalagadi TP Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included

Drive from the Kgalagadi TFP to the Augrabies Falls NP

Day 5Drive from the Kgalagadi TFP to the Augrabies Falls NP Drive from the Kgalagadi TFP to the Augrabies Falls NP We say goodbye to the Kgalagadi TFP and drive to the Augrabies Falls NP via Upington. Augrabies is derived from the Nama word as the Khoi people would refer to “Aukoerebis” meaning the "place of great noise." This refers to the Orange River water thundering its way down the spectacular 56m main waterfall. The ancestors of modern history have inhabited the area surrounding the Orange River since the Early Stone Age. During this time, there is evidence that early man had developed weapons for hunting animals like hippopotamus. They knew to establish themselves near good water sources like the Orange River. During the Middle Stone Age, man had created more formal work tools and began to utilise fire. The Late Stone Age, which dates back 22,000 years, is characterised by tools that are smaller than the previous periods. Main Destination: Augrabies Falls National Park Best Time To Visit April to September (Not too hot) High Season Never ( Only busy during school holidays) Best Weather May to September (Less hot during the day) Wildlife in Augrabies Falls NP GiraffeCommon ZebraOccasional HyenaOccasional LeopardVery Rare White RhinoNone Black RhinoNone Show more ElephantNone LionNone CheetahNone BuffaloNone WildebeestNone HippoNone Wild DogNone Accommodation: Augrabies Falls Rest Camp Mid-range rest camp located inside Augrabies Falls NP Meals & Drinks: Br

Explore the Augrabies Falls NP

Day 6Explore the Augrabies Falls NP Explore the Augrabies Falls NP You join a day drive in an open game-viewing vehicle. The professional field guide will provide information about the animals, birds, vegetation, and more we see during the drive. Stand next to the waterfall and "feel" the mighty Orange River being forced into and thundering down the 56m waterfall. We use the rest of the day to explore more of the national park. Main Destination: Augrabies Falls National Park Accommodation: Augrabies Falls Rest Camp Mid-range rest camp located inside Augrabies Falls NP Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included

Visit Riemvasmaak hot springs

Day 7Visit Riemvasmaak hot springs Visit Riemvasmaak hot springs Today we drive to the Riemvasmaak hot springs. The road winds through the most amazing rock formations of all shapes, sizes, and colours. The hot springs are one of the must-visit hot springs in South Africa. They were formed from volcanic eruptions that occurred centuries ago. Riemvasmaak (pronounced "rim fus maack") means "tighten the strap" or "tied with straps". Riemvasmaak is 75,000 ha of sheer mountain desert wilderness located between the Orange and the dry Molopo Rivers. It is a wilderness born from violent volcanic activity millions of years ago, but it is a land of beauty that takes on spiritual proportions. Here, you can relax in the hot springs dwarfed by 80m-high granite cliffs or simply set your soul free to soar with the black eagles through the lunar landscape. Main Destination: Augrabies Falls National Park Accommodation: Augrabies Falls Rest Camp Mid-range rest camp located inside Augrabies Falls NP Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included

Continue with the rest of your journey

Day 8Continue with the rest of your journey Continue with the rest of your journey Today we drive back to Upington. This is your last day in the Kalahari region of South Africa. Next to the road, you will see the grape and related farming areas that are thriving in this harsh environment. You hand back your 4x4 vehicle to the rental company. As our time together draws to a close, we say goodbye to our new friends and head back home. You will continue your journey to your next destination on your own whenever you feel ready to leave. We hope that you will cherish the unforgettable memories you have made during your time with us and that you will have plenty of beautiful photos to share with your loved ones and friends. Main Destination: Upington (Town) Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included End of tour (See Getting There for more details)End of tour (See Getting There for more details) Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. Clients return their self-drive vehicle at the airport. Interested in This Tour? Request a Quote We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators (Learn why) Requests are sent directly to the tour operator If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly Next: Overview Next: Day by Day Next: Rates Next: Inclusions Next: Getting There Next: Offered By Best price guarantee Your request will be sent directly to the operator If preferred, you can cont