Kgalagadi 2022
- Gramps
- Mar 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 24
We first visited the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in 2005 with an old school friend of mine. The kids were young, we had a guest with us, and we were not seasoned travelers so were unprepared for the arid nature and long distances of the park.
AlisonJ and I tried again in 2019 and somehow it all clicked into place. We were more patient, stayed longer at the waterholes, defined the concept of "Travel Days" and discovered the allure of the Wilderness Camps.
We took the first opportunity to return in February 2022 and made a concerted effort to document the trip. Alison used her iPhone with DJI MIMO Gimble extensively while I focused on video footage with my camera and used the GoPro to document the driving and for timelapse work.
We decided to break the journey down into short relaxing legs and make that as much a part of the holiday as the destination. It turned out to be a classic South African road trip.
I have taken a stab at putting a series of videos together to showcase what a wonderful country South Africa is for a local holiday. It was originally intended for our own enjoyment in our old age so may be a bit long for a wider audience.
We experimented with AI music generation to accompany the video. Not sure if it is enjoyable or annoying - you decide.
What do you think of the AI generated music?
It somehow works for these videos
Please turn it off!!
I mute the whole video anyway
Day 1: Cape Town to Namaqua National Park
The video is mainly GoPro footage of the road trip but there is some beautiful video and timelapse coverage of the Namaqua National Park that is worth seeing, so please feel free to fast forward :). Much of this was done by AlisonJ using her iPhone 12 Pro with DJI MIMO gimble.
We were not there during wildflower season but the park was amazing and so quiet, we question whether it is perhaps not even better in off season.
Day 2: Namaqua National Park to Oranjerus Resort
This episode starts with beautiful morning views over the valleys of the Namaqua National Park, documents the road trip through Springbok and Pofadder and ends with a watery sunset over the Orange River.
Day 3: Oranjerus Resort to Twee Rivieren
I think we were a little harsh on the Oranjerus resort, it was ok, but there are other options which we would try before going there again. Some simple maintenance and ensuring that a group of inebbriated guests playing loud music don't take over the pool.
This was another short trip with a quick stop in Upington for some shopping and to pick up our meat order from the Butcher. We tried Upington Slaghuis as an alternative to our usual butcher but do prefer to use Wickens Vleismark as we did in 2019 and later again in 2025, where they did not disappoint. We order from Cape Town and pick up delicious vacuum packed frozen meat, biltong and droe wors on the way through.
Pro-tip: Order some more for pick up on your way home and you will be enjoying amazing Khalahari meat for weeks on your return.
We went to bed happy that night after a satisfying game drive and evening braai back at the chalet.
Day 4: Twee Rivieren to Nossob
Our first Travel Day in the park. Travel Days are designated days where we sit back and just enjoy the roadtrip. Don't look behind every bush, just wait for the waterholes and picnic spots and relax. If you see something unexpected it is a bonus, like our lions on the way to Nossob.
Days 5: Nossob to Grootkolk
After all the anticipation, at last today we head north to the first of the remote, unfenced wilderness camps of the trip, Grootkolk. But Marie se Draai had its own special surprise for us before we started.
The life at the waterholes was spectacular, perpetual movement and a constant ebb and flow of survival.
Days 6 and 7: Grootkolk
If you only watch one of these videos, make it this one. It was the highlight of the trip. Arriving at Grootkolk to lions feeding at the waterhole was truly special and we were able to braai that evening with the best view in the house. No need to leave your cabin, the show comes to you.
NB: Please note there is video footage of the lions on the kill from around 1 minute 40 seconds so please steer clear if this triggers you.
Days 8 and 9: Grootkolk to Gharagab
Driving the remote 4x4 track to Gharagab is a privilege especially when the tall green grasses cover the red dunes after the rain.
The camp is remote and delivered a special encounter right to our doorstep.
Days 10 & 11: Gharagab to Nossob and then on to Twee Rivieren
We leave Gharagab and overnight in the new zooty River Chalets at Nossob. before heading off to Twee Rivieren.
The 4x4 trail leaving the camp is definetly more exciting than the approach, and we were amazed by the honey badger activity that we encountered.
The sand was hard and compacted so there were no problems for the Fortuner, but in dry conditions it would be a different story.
Regradless, it was was a privilege to drive this remote trail and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Days 12 to 14: Twee Rivieren to Augrabies and then home to Cape Town
It is always sad to leave the park but Augrabies is an awe-inspiring destination in its own right. The deep scar in the hardest of granite carved by gushing water over decades sets the heart racing as you near the abyss.
We chose to use the R385 for our trip back to Cape Town and it was an inspired decision. The dirt road was in perfect condition and we saw maybe 2 cars on the entire 280 km stretch to the N7. This is sublime when you consider the truck heavyand very busy N7 as an aternative.
We are lucky to live in the beautiful city of Cape Town and that softens the blow of reality at the end of the holiday.
This was an amazing South African roadtrip.
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