The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Afrikaans name: Kgalagadi-vredespark
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Photo © francescodemarco - Fotolia.com
Northern Cape
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a vast game reserve that straddles two countries. It is made up of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa and the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana.
The South African portion of this game reserve occupies around 10,000 square kilometres with the rest being in Botswana.
Lions are often seen
Photo © Johan van Zyl
The park is mainly covered by the red sand dunes of the Kalahari Desert. There is not much vegetation or trees yet there is plenty of wildlife. Among the larger species that you may see are Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Brown and Spotted Hyenas, Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Springbok, Red Hartebeest and Eland.
Over 200 species of birds have been recorded including many raptors.
On the South African side of the reserve there are three rest camps. These are Twee Rivieren, Mata-Mata and Nossob.
Roads in the reserve are not ideal and it is best to use a vehicle with some ground clearance and 4x4 capability.
Gemsbok are well adapted to the arid environment
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Mammals of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Antbear / Aardvark
Black-footed Cat
Common Duiker
Honey Badger
Pangolin / Scaly Anteater
South African Hedgehog
Striped Polecat
Wild Cat
Birds of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Common Quail
Harlequin Quail
Kurrichane Buttonquail
Acacia Pied Barbet
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
Common Scimitarbill
Striped Kingfisher
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Common Swift
Bradfield's Swift
Southern White-faced Scops-Owl
Verreaux's Eagle-Owl
Rufous-cheeked Nightjar
Ludwig's Bustard
Northern Black Korhaan
Double-banded Courser
Bronze-winged Courser
Burchell's Courser
White-winged Tern
Lappet-faced Vulture
Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk
Booted Eagle
Wahlberg's Eagle
Pygmy Falcon
Lesser Kestrel
Rock Kestrel
Red-necked Falcon
Red-footed Falcon
Eurasian Hobby
Yellow-billed Egret
Abdim's Stork
Eurasian Golden Oriole
Brubru
Pririt Batis
Cape Crow
Lesser Grey Shrike
Cape Penduline-Tit
Ashy Tit
Grey-rumped Swallow
Greater Striped Swallow
Rock Martin
Southern Pied Babbler
Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler
Zitting Cisticola
Desert Cisticola
Black-chested Prinia
Rufous-eared Warbler
Monotonous Lark
Cape Clapper Lark
Fawn-coloured Lark
Spike-heeled Lark
Black-eared Sparrowlark
Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark
Grey-backed Sparrowlark
Stark's Lark
Pink-billed Lark
Chat Flycatcher
Marico Flycatcher
Tractrac Chat
Familiar Chat
Dusky Sunbird
Scaly-feathered Finch
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
Red-headed Finch
Black-faced Waxbill
Great Sparrow
Black-throated Canary
Yellow Canary
Lark-like Bunting
Reptiles of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Please note that this is only a partial list and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Common Ground Agama
Rhombic Egg-eater
Dwarf Beaked Snake
Namib Giant Ground Gecko
Common Rough-scaled Lizard
Spotted Sand Lizard
Namaqua Sand Lizard
Striped Blind Legless Skink
Sundevall's Writhing Skink
Speckled Rock Skink
Karasburg Tree Skink
Kalahari Tree Skink
Serrated Tortoise
Horned Adder
References and further reading
Wild Issue 41 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 14Wild Issue 43 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 10
Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 32
Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 40
Wild Issue 39 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 8
Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 44
Wild Issue 11 - Author: - Published: 2010 - Page: 33
Wild Issue 16 - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 20
Wild Issue 28 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 38
Wild Issue 28 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 81
Wild Issue 37 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 8
Wild Issue 32 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 10
Wild Issue 3 - Author: - Published: 2008 - Page: 60
The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 285
Things to do in Moer & Gone Places - Author: Jacques Marais - Published: 2015 - Page: 176
Stuarts Field Guide to National Parks & Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd ed - Author: Chris & Mathilde Stuart - Published: 2018 - Page: 258
The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 245
Southern African Birdfinder - Author: Cohen, Spottiswoode and Rossouw - Published: 2006 - Page: 88
go! - Kgalagadi - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 1
Insiders Guide - Top Wildlife Photography Spots in South Africa - Author: Shem Compion - Published: 2010 - Page: 199
Journey Through the Living Deserts of South Africa - Author: CM Dean - Published: 2005 - Page: 121
Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 331
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 284
go! - Issue 157 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 48
go! - Issue 171 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 34
go! - Issue 172 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 30
go! - Issue 085 (missing) - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 102
go! - Issue 086 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 56
Getaway - Vol 33 No 09 - Author: - Published: 2022 - Page: 70
go! - Issue 084 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 14
Getaway - Vol 29 No 10 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 84
Getaway - Vol 29 No 11 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 65
Getaway - Vol 31 No 03 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 54
Getaway - Vol 29 No 05 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 78
Getaway - Vol 29 No 10 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 82
Country Life - Issue 250 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 58
Country Life - Issue 250 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 61
Getaway - Vol 29 No 05 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 77
Country Life - Issue 212 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 79
Country Life - Issue 230 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 74
Country Life - Issue 244 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 38
Country Life - Issue 187 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 27
Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 656 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 10
Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 683 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 57
Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 652 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 59
A - Z of South African National Parks - Author: South African National Parks - Published: 0 - Page: 28
Atlas of National Parks and Reserves of South Africa - Author: Marielle Renssen - Published: 2006 - Page: 42
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