Jump to content

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP)


Panthera Pardus

Recommended Posts

kittykat23uk

Beautiful images!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Panthera Pardus

Thank you @@kittykat23uk. Still driving south on the Nossob riverbed and right trough to Twee Riveren all the waterholes can produce some magic. There are the cats and raptors, the little critters and the antelopes and just that wonderful feeling of being out in the wilderness and enjoying nature.

 

You have to be in real luck to see Eland but last December they were out in numbers

 

IMG_3235a_zps9401ed5c.jpg

 

IMG_2711a_zps31fbc739.jpg

 

Red Haartebeest

IMG_2320_zps7315c01e.jpg

 

The area between Roiputs and Leeudrill and also the Samevloeiing Waterhole produce regular sightings of cheetah, leopard and lions. Brown hyena are also seen. There are four ways to get from the Nossob side to the Auob side. Starting from the south there is the road from Leeudrill to Houmoed which is 4x4 only and has to be booked in advance at Twee Rivieren. Next is the lower dune road from Kij Kij to Auchterlonie which is a good gravel road. You will still get the raptors, snakes, gemsbok, steenboks when driving across the dunes and away from the riverbeds. If lucky Eland, cheetah, lions could also be seen.

 

This will give you an idea of the gravel road

 

IMG_9821_zps3bccc0c3.jpg

 

IMG_9752_zps9e8e0ec8.jpg

 

We saw this pale chanting goshawk thinking about a cape cobra for a meal. The cobra played dead for aw hile but suddenly rose when the PCG got close and the PCG backed off

 

We saw the jackal dig out a striped mouse and get his meal unlike the PCG

IMG_1015_zpsa58eb360.jpg

 

IMG_1016a_zpsc7dfc0c7.jpg

 

A mother Spotted Eagle Owl and baby in the Nossob Riverbed

KTP09akbar606_zps8f89eaf9.jpg

 

and dad

KTP09akbar609_zps680bef85.jpg

 

The next road is the upper dune road from Dikbaardskolk to Kamqua. Also a good gravel road. A word of caution. The roads across the dunes are undulating and it is like a roller coaster ride up and down the dunes so if you suffer from motion sickness take you pills. I also mentioned that animals are regular visitors at picnic sites. We found this lioness sitting at Dikbaardskolk picnic site one morning

 

KTP09akbar383_zpsafb7e2cd.jpg

 

and the four cubs were in the toilet.

 

KTP09akbar384_zpseb28114c.jpg

 

Little springboks. They just sit very still. Cats being chase animals have to detect movement

KTP09akbar006_zps4c059be8.jpg

 

The final road across the dunes is from Nossob to Bitterpan. It is 4x4 only, and you have to be booked in Bitterpan to take it. We will travel that one next.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What a collection of wonderful photos and memories you have from this region. I suppose these have been compiled from many trips over a period, and you must have spent hours and hours curating them for this report. Thanks for doing all that work and sharing the results with us

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Panthera Pardus

We (Sharifa and I) have been to the KTP 8 times @@johnkok and these photos are from all those trips. We first went to KTP only in 2007, unlike Kruger where we have been 70 times over the last 33 years.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

africapurohit

@@Panthera Pardus - brilliant photos of the cape cobra and I love the way the curious spotted eagle owlet is trying to remain hidden.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Panthera Pardus

Thanks africapurohit. I love the way the little owl is just peeping over the branch

 

The road to Bitterpan starts in Nossob camp and you can only leave after 9.00am. This gives the attendant at Beitterpan time to get your room serviced and ready for you. You will be driving in the dunes and there are some steep ones. Game is sparse but the red sands and blue skies till as far as the eye can see is spectacular.

 

KTP09sharifa1724_zps083d549a.jpg

 

The 4 cabins at Bitterpan, compared to the other wilderness camps, are close to each other with small rooms

 

bitterpan_zpsfc6fdaea.jpg

 

bitterpan6_zps82c64bda.jpg

 

You have your own bathroom but it is not en suite.

bitterpan7_zpsf1792608.jpg

 

The kitchen is also communal but it make for a good get together with fellow nature lovers. You do however have your own private braai (barbecue)

 

bitterpan5_zpsfd79d241.jpg

 

and also a communal braai area

bitterpan4_zpsb2358a2d.jpg

 

 

You do get beautiful sunsets

IMG_2470_zps84a923fb.jpg

 

IMG_2464_zps8e1f9253.jpg

 

and sunrises at Bitterpan.

IMG_2473_zps8b912a2b.jpg

 

There is a waterhole and lions visit from time to time and a leoprd too. The road to Bitterpan is one way and there are two ways out, a short stretch south which joins with the upper dune road or the longer road west which meets with the Auob Riverbed road at Craig Lockhardt Waterhole

 

bitterpanstorm_zpsfca4ca4f.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks stokeygirl this is a great link. I will use it to call SA to make the bookings. Pen

 

uote name="stokeygirl" post="95705" timestamp="1367051997"]

 

Penolva- why can't you ring yourself from the UK?

 

It's very expensive and if you are left on hold it's stressful cause you can see all your money dripping down that telephone wire! Pen

 

You can easily buy a phone card for calling overseas- for South Africa, calls this way would probably cost 2-3p per minute. BT have an international friends and family option for about £1 a month- if you add that to your plan, calls to South Africa are 2.7p a minute.

 

There are loads of ways these days to make cheap calls overseas. Here's another option-

http://www.cherry-call.co.uk/africa.jsp

 

2p a minute to South Africa.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We (Sharifa and I) have been to the KTP 8 times @@johnkok and these photos are from all those trips. We first went to KTP only in 2007, unlike Kruger where we have been 70 times over the last 33 years.

I'm amazed you've managed to keep count :-)
Link to comment
Share on other sites

How does the wildness of KTP compare to Kruger in your opinion? I have been told Kruger is called a Zoo and a Circus! Never been there so would be interested to know as you have been to Kruger so many times. Where do you stay to get away from the crowds? Pen

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Panthera Pardus

It is getting to the stage where it is difficult to keep count johnkok

 

@@penolva - In the KTP you will have many of your sightings to yourself or at most another 4-5 cars. There is no jostling for position as the vegetation is not dense like Kruger and so everybody can get a good view. You do at times still get unruly behaviour.

 

It can get very crowded very quickly at cat sightings in Kruger and you can get a major road block but....

 

You can still get good sightings to yourself before the next car arrives. We try to avoid the larger camps like Skukuza and Satara in Kruger. Look if you want cats, Satara is probably the best area for them. We prefer camps like Bateleur, Talamati and Biyamiti which are Bush Camps and have 15 units only (only 7 in Bateleur). The roads leading to these camps are for use only by people staying in these camps.

 

The other thing we do is go in summer (disadvantage is higher malaria risk) which is November/December/January. The camps open at 4.30am but the entrance gates only open at 5.30am so you have an hour before the tour guides and day visitors arrive. We have had many great sightings and the cat has moved on before the next car has even arrived. There gravel roads also tend to be quieter and Northern Kruger also is quieter. The south has much more game density though.

 

Kruger can offer a great experience but there will be times when there is no avoiding the crowds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Panthera Pardus

We are on the Auob side now. There are three camps in the North - Mata Mata, Kalahari Tented Camp and Urikaruus.

 

IMG_3284_zps0c167505.jpg

 

Mata Mata is largish and also the border post into Namibia. Staying in the River Front Chalets is good as you can get a view of the riverbed and waterhole which attracts lions and cheetah.

 

Braai area of River Front chalet at Mata Mata

IMG_1219_zpsc17ff500.jpg

 

DSCN4834_zps10caa8d0.jpg

 

We prefer to stay in Kalahari Tented Camp (KTC) which is just 3 km south of Mata Mata - it is smaller, also overlooks the riverbed and we find the ambience just to be better

 

Parking Area of KTC

KTP09akbar168_zpse3a3c0d2.jpg

 

Kitchen and braai area

KTP09akbar164_zps52d61544.jpg

 

Bedroom

KTP09akbar165_zpsc3fca612.jpg

 

Bedroom inside - you can settle down with a book during the heat of the day and still keep an eye on the riverbed

KTP77KTC_zpse3750864.jpg

 

View

KTP09akbar167_zps14163754.jpg

 

Urikaruus is magnificent: the setting and for game viewing. There are just 4 cabins and they are linked by wooden walkways although still very private

 

The lower area is the kitchen and the upper area is the room/bathroom

IMG_1318_zps41cb8193.jpg

 

IMG_1316_zps5e393bdc.jpg

 

Sharifa at the braai area which overlooks the waterhole. The waterhole at Urikaruus is best positioned of all the camps as it is close and open and you have many great sightings just sitting on the porch

IMG_1323_zps93bbef79.jpg

 

KTP09akbar313_zpsaa50b1ea.jpg

 

Kitchen

KTP09akbar314_zps17887e5f.jpg

 

Bedroom

KTP09akbar312_zps32aa9ab6.jpg

 

Which ever of the three camps you stay in you are in prime game country and almost guaranteed to see cheetah, lions, many raptors and spotted hyena. With a bit of luck, also caracal, brown hyena, leopards, honey badgers, cape and bat earded foxes, meerkats and more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

africapurohit

@@Panthera Pardus with my children being so young, my only real option for KTP is a Xaus Lodge package. Do you have any information about Xaus and the surrounding area?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

kittykat23uk

Hi @@Panthera Pardus It sounds promising that one can relax in the camps and still see the wildlife. Would you say that there is just as good chance to see a good variety of wildlife staying put in the camps watching the river etc or does one really need to get out the car as soon as the park opens up to see the best of the wildlife? It could be a good option for those of us who are not morning people..or who would like to take a break from driving..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Panthera Pardus

@@africapurohit - I have not stayed in the Xaus lodge. I believe sightings will be the same as the other camps. Have seen the guides from the lodge driving tourists on the Auob side. You can also stay in Kalahari tented Camp, Mata Mata, Nossob and Twee Rivieren with children.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Panthera Pardus

@@kittykat23uk - it is all about being at the right place at the right time. You have an excellent chance of seeing game from camp if you not a morning person especially at Urikaruus and Grootkolk. Also at Kalahari Tented Camp. One morning we returned from a drive to KTC and an excited neighbour told us you just missed a leopard at the waterhole. Did not have the heart to tell him we just saw a caracal on the drive. You win some you lose some as you will see when I post on each individual camp.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

africapurohit

Thanks @@Panthera Pardus, it's good to know that only the Wilderness Camps have the age restrictions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

kittykat23uk

Many thanks. This is sounding better and better for me and @@BigBaldIan to make a trip sometime.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Panthera Pardus

Some people claim that the Aoub Riverbed is probably the best place on the planet to see a cheetah hunt and kill. We have witnessed some spectacular chases and a couple of kills. We have seen cheetah feeding many times after the kill. The area between Rooibrak and Mata Mata delivers on cheetah sightings. On one morning drive between Urikaruus and CraiG Lockhardt Waterhole we saw 11 of these magnificent cats

 

Let me introduce you to some of these cats. Dr. Gus Mills had some of them collared for research he was doing. There is Smit and Smith (named after our rugby and cricket captains at the time). They hang out between Sitzas Waterhole and 14th Borehole

 

Smit

IMG_1051_zpsc1235b64.jpg

 

IMG_1052_zpsbdd7ba2b.jpg

 

Smith

S2110_zpsed544e1d.jpg

 

S2143_zpsbbfed90b.jpg

 

Caster (named after our 400m sprinter) is their sister. her range is from Craig Lockhardt to Rooibrak

310_zps1d123383.jpg

 

289_zps255e6bf9.jpg

 

Elena ranges from 14 Borehole to Rooibrak

550A244_zpse394ec34.jpg

 

550A248_zps72861350.jpg

 

Lisette is around 13 and 14 borehole mainly

IMG_9114_zpsf5e96d32.jpg

 

Will tell you more about them in the coming episodes ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Game Warden

@@Panthera Pardus This really is a fantastic photo documentary of the park: I really appreciate you taking the time with it and I keep delving back in. Would make a great place for a ST GTG and some photography workshops...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

kittykat23uk

Yeah sounds like a fab place to visit!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@@africapurohit

 

we've been taking our daughter to KTP ever since she was three years old, no problem at all

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah sounds like a fab place to visit!

 

yeah but don't get too excited - you can literally go days and drive hours and hours without seeing any big predators - this is place, as wild and beautiful as it might look like, cannot compare to the Mara or Kruger when it comes to predator cats and dogs sightings

 

one other thing at least I find rather irritating: the lack of roads. At Nossob and Twee Rivieren you have two choices (plus maybe the dune road), from Mata Mata only one, so if you don't find anything on either of them, there is nothing you can do about it (except hope for the better when you turn around to head back for camp)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

africapurohit

Thanks @@ice - that's good to know.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So what would be an ideal length of stay for this KTP safari, PP? If the main object were to have a relaxed holiday, spending some down time at camp with fellow travelers, and yet trying to cover all the scenery and whatever wildlife came ones way? Two weeks too much?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@@ice - have you had days with no animals at all? Other than birds?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Safaritalk uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By using Safaritalk you agree to our use of cookies. If you wish to refuse the setting of cookies you can change settings on your browser to clear and block cookies. However, by doing so, Safaritalk may not work properly and you may not be able to access all areas. If you are happy to accept cookies and haven't adjusted browser settings to refuse cookies, Safaritalk will issue cookies when you log on to our site. Please also take a moment to read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy: Terms of Use l Privacy Policy