Twee Rivieren Twee Rivieren is the Parks largest rest camp and administrative headquarters. It is situated on the banks of the Dry Nossob Riverbed. Activities and facilities are diverse, as are the animals and plants found both within the camp and in the surrounding areas. Twee Rivieren has a reception, shop, fuel, restaurant, information centre and swimming pool. This is the only camp with 24 hrs electricity and cell phone reception.
Mata-Mata Rest Camp The camp is situated on the banks of the Auob River on the western boundary of the Park. The camp borders Namibia and is surrounded by thorny Kalahari dune bushveld. Giraffe, typically adapted to these arid conditions are a favourite sight around Mata-Mata. The camp has a reception, shop and fuel facilities. A generator provides electricity for 18 hrs per day. Phone lines are provided from Namibia. Mata-Mata is 2,5 hrs drive from Twee Rivieren.
Nossob Rest Camp Nossob Rest Camp is situated within the dry riverbed of the Nossob. The camp is surrounded by tree savannah and is famous for spectacular predator sightings. The camp has a reception, predator information centre, shop and fuel facilities. A generator provides electricity for 18 hrs per day. No phone reception is available at the camp which ad to the tranquillity and peaceful atmosphere at Nossob. Nossob is 3,5 hrs drive from Twee Rivieren.
Wilderness camps
Bitterpan NB: This camp is NOT fenced and a Tourism Assistant is on duty at all times.
Elevated above the red sand dunes of the Kalahari and suspended in time is Bitterpan an exclusive, stilted camp overlooking a waterhole. Bitterpan is situated in the center of the wilderness opening up a new 4x4 route through the Kalahari dunes from Nossob to Mata-Mata and the Kalahari Tent Camp. It is on a ONE-WAY route starting from Nossob. It is approximately a 2,5 hr drive from Nossob to Bitterpan, while from Bitterpan to Craig Lockhart in the Auob tourist road takes another 2.5 hrs, and thereafter 15 minutes to Mata-Mata, or a two hour drive to Twee Rivieren. It is strictly a 4x4 route, but BIG 4x4s such as Unimogs (heavy vehicle 4x4) are not allowed.
Guests should consider staying at Nossob before their departure for Bitterpan, as it is an approximately 3 hours drive from Nossob along a one-way 4x4 route. Guests much check in to Bitterpan at Nossob. They cannot do so at Twee Rivieren or Mata-Mata. Nossob itself is at least a three-and-a-half hour drive from Twee Rivieren.
Visitors to Bitterpan should please note the following: - NB. The camp and its access roads are strictly for the use of its residents only! - Visitors must supply their own firewood or charcoal - Visitors must supply their own drinking water - No Trailers (even 4x4 trailers) will be permitted. - Visitors should be aware that there is limited driving opportunity once at the camp. - Only a one-way 15 km game drive, however visitors staying longer than one night may use the escape route to Moravet to go onto the tourist routes and back. - The entrance and exit roads (and the 15 km game drive) are strictly one-way. - No fuel and no shop, nearest facilities at Nossob and Mata-Mata.
Grootkolk NB: This camp is NOT fenced ans Tourism Assistant is on duty at all times.
The perfect retreat for special occasions, or simply just to get away from it all. The camp is tucked away in the dunes, overlooking a waterhole, 20 km from Unions End where the three countries South Africa, Botswana and Namibia meet. It is a wilderness camp nestled amidst red sand dunes with only the stars and silence for company. Grootkolk is 6 hours drive from Twee Rivieren and 2,5 hours from Nossob.
Visitors to Grootkolk should please note the following: - NB. The camp and access road are strictly for the use of its residents only! - Visitors must supply their own firewood or charcoal. - Visitors must supply their own drinking water. - No fuel and no shop, closest facilities at Nossob.
Kalahari Tent Camp NB: This camp is NOT fenced and a Tourism Supervisor is on duty at all times.
Situated high up on a red sand dune, overlooking a waterhole in the dry bed of the ancient Auob River, the Kalahari Tent Camp welcomes you to capture the spirit of the land of thirst. This exclusive getaway for the discerning visitor, boasts 15 desert tents each elegantly decorated with rustic finishes using wood, sand and canvas exteriors al in the resonate colours of the park. The tent camp is 3 km from the Mata-Mata Rest Camp where Kalahari Tent Camp residents can refuel and get basic supplies at the shop. The camp is designed in such a way that residents feel they have only themselves and the desert for company.
Visitors to Kalahari Tent Camp should please note the following: NB. The camp and access road are strictly for the use of residents only! - Visitors must supply their own firewood or charcoal - Visitors must supply their own drinking water - No fuel and no shop, closest facilities at Mata-Mata
Due to the high demand for accommodation in Wilderness Camps, three additional camps, with four fully equipped units each, were developed and will be released to the public soon.
Kieliekrankie wilderness camp - Guests have to provide their own drinking water and firewood. Situated 50 km (one-and-a-half hours) drive away from Twee Rivieren on the Southern Dune Road. The closest shop and fuel supply is at Twee Rivieren, where guests who have booked Kieliekrankie also checks in. The camp is unfenced, and there is a tourism assistant on duty. Sunk into a dune, with endless views of the red Kalahari sands. This unique self-catering wilderness camp will be accessible by passenger vehicles.
Urikaruus wilderness camp - Guests have to provide their own drinking water and firewood. Situated 72 km (two hours) drive away from Twee Rivieren on the road to Mata Mata between the veil of old camelthorn trees, overlooks the Auob River. The closest shop and fuel supply is at Twee Rivieren, where guests who have booked Urikaruus also checks in. The camp is unfenced, and there is a tourism assistant on duty. The camp has 4 x RC2 (Riverside Cabin) units built on stilts and connected by a plank way. Urikaruus is accessible by passenger vehicles.
Gharagab wilderness camp - Guests have to provide their own drinking water and firewood. Located in the far northern region of the park, will provide guests with elevated views of Kalahari dunes and the thornveld savannah. Situated 164 km (four hours) drive north of Nossob on the road to Unions End. The closest shop and fuel supply is at Nossob, where guests who have booked Gharagab also checks in. The camp is unfenced, and there is a tourism assistant on duty. Gharagab is only accessible by 4x4 vehicles on a one way road.
Climate The Kalahari is an arid region with an annual rainfall of 200 mm, mainly between January and April. In summer day temperatures may exceed 40 degrees. Winter days are sunny with night temperatures often below zero.
Day travellers There are communal ablution facilities at Twee Rivieren, Nossob and Mata Mata rest camps and picnic sites at Melkvlei, 50 km (north of Twee Rivieren), Dikbaardskolk, 56 km (South of Nossob) and at Kamqua between Twee Rivieren and Mata-Mata.
Contact Information Park Tel: + 27 (0) 54 561 2000 Fax: + 27 (0) 54 561 2005
Handy Hints - Binoculars and cameras should be easily accessible at all times - Stopping for little things often produces interesting things that were not apparent. - Sun cream is advisable - Drinking water available in all shops
Official hours Office Hours - 07:30 to sundown
Gate Hours
January to February
06:00 19:30
March
06:30 19:00
April
07:00 18:30
May
07:00 18:00
June and July
07:30 18:00
August
07:00 18:30
September
06:30 18:30
October
06:00 19:00
November and December
05:30 19:30
Take note - Pets are not allowed in a National Park. - Firearms must be declared at the gate where they will be sealed. - Shoes are essential for protection against scorpion stings. - Keep an emergency supply of 10 litres water in your vehicle. - In the event of a breakdown, remain in your vehicle it is the safest place. - This is a low risk malaria area. Consult your chemist. - Roads in the park have gravel surfaces. - Light aircraft may land on a tarred runway at Twee Rivieren. - Hired cars may be collected at Twee Rivieren provided that an advance booking was made.
- The travelling time from the entrance gate at Twee Rivieren to Nossob Rest Camp is 3.5 hours and to Mata Mata is 2.5 hours. When driving from one rest camp to the other, travellers should depart with travelling times in mind to ensure arrival before sunset as no travelling is allowed in the park after dark.
Visitors to Botswana Until such time as the entrance gate into Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park is completed (the amalgamation of Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, South Africa and Gemsbok National Park, Botswana) the following procedure still has to be followed. Visitors visiting the Park have no need for a passport unless the park is exited via a different gate than entry. A passport is essential when entrance from one country and departure to another will be undertaken. For this purpose, a border post is situated at Twee Rivieren on the South African side and at Two Rivers on the Botswana side of the Park. (Twee Rivieren border post office hours: 07:30 16:00)
