thit_cho

I visited in July 2006 (I posted a trip report with photos on this forum). In July it was cold at night, but beautiful during the day (at night, I think it dropped below freezing, which makes it difficult to get into, and difficult to get out of, the morning shower). It should be warmer in November, probably infernal during the day, but you should be able to get all information from the sanparks website, which is terrific.

matnikstym

amol-
The prices I'm using was a local 4X4 rental from Upington-around $160 per night, compared to Avis in Capetown at around $100 per night. There is an Avis in Upington but they don't offer 4X4..strange. Considering renting in Capetown and dropping off in Upington, then flying down to Capetown ($93.00) for a few days. Haven't decided on anything other than KTP.

amolkarnik

Dennis

I did some preliminary searches today using a 5 day rental period in early October 2008.

I found identical prices for a Nissan X-Trail on Hertz and Europcar in Upington and Capetown. Budget could not give me prices for 4*4's and Avis dont rent 4*4's from Upington like you said.

I found Hertz prices to be a fair bit cheaper as well ( around £70 per day as opposed to around £90 per day) for Europcar.

I suppose this will take a bit of research before booking but 4*4 hire is working out at a bit more than I had anticipated. Check out www.britz.co.za, for Landrover rental. They arent cheap, but fantastic for offroading.

Also look at www.webcarhire.com Never used the website, but they're offering Nissan x-Trails from Upington for around £50 a day, supplied by Europcar. Also see www.novacarhire.com - similar prices.

matnikstym

Thanks amol, will check those out.

amolkarnik

Right- Have an itinerary for KTP thats near finalised.

Kieliekrankie
Nossob
Nossob
Bitterpan
Urikaruus
Urikaruus
TR

I am going to try and squeeze in another night and that might be either at Kielikrankie or slash a night at Nossob and add 2 nights at Grootkolk. Driving to Bitterpan from Grootkolk in a day is possible.

Dennis - You have a drive from Grootkolk to Urikaruus and you wont be able to use the Bitterpan route. I am told its a very long days drive.

Also - getting to Upington from Johannesburg (or Capetown). Travel website seem to offer full priced tickets only. However visiting SAA's South African website lists tickets for as little as £100 return as opposed to £250. Any idea why?

TreeHugger

Another trip report on the Kgaligadi. Seems to be a popular place.
http://www.ecoafrica-travel.com/2007...n-of-a-desert/

matnikstym

Amol, yes that drive will be long, hoping for a cancellation at Nossob that night but if not, it is doable. Don't know why the price difference from saa vs. the other sites but obviously will buy from saa if I decide to fly. Isn't Bitterpan a min 2-3 night stay? I might be confusing it with another though. Sounds like a good plan though...when did you decide to go?

amolkarnik

Dennis - Bitterpan in along one of the 2 'dune' roads. There is just one loop along the route so not much driving to do in th area. The camp itself and the location is meant to be stunning.

I must admit I am having a bit of a tough time confirming Bitterpan. It requires a proper 4*4 and those dont seem to be in generous supply in the Upington area. There is a serious premium on renting them.

Re SAA - Spoke to someone in the UK office and confirmed that there are no restrictions on buying from the SA website as long as the credit card used to book and some ID is available at ticket collection.

matnikstym

amol, I bought my air tickets this year from the saa site and the agent did ask for the same credit card I used to purchase them so make sure you bring that card when you check-in.
Bitterpan does look nice, but since I've never 4X4'd before, took a pass on this one. What vehicle are you looking at? I think my quotes are for the Hilux 4X4 pickup with shell.

amolkarnik

If I decide to book Bitterpan, I'll get a Defender. No doubt. I know the Toyota's are just as capable but...

If I dont book Bitterpan, a 4*4 with a low range gearbox isnt necessary and I might just stick to an ordinary 4*4 like a Nissan X-Trail or Toyota Condor for the additional height..

matnikstym

amol-have you been to sanparks forum lately? Check out the "kgalagadi animals" thread. There's a video of a lion coming up to a car and biting the rear view mirror. How cool would that be?!

matnikstym

make that the sideview mirror...

cary999

Be cooler if it were indeed the rearview mirror, the one INSIDE the car!!!!!

regards - tom
ps - Remember the leopard video?? After it is released from the truck instead of running off it comes around and attacks the driver inside!!!

amolkarnik

Yes I saw it last night. Awesome!!!

Booked to be there from 10-18th November 08.

canadian_robin

I have visited Kgalagadi twice - in November 2004 and again in July 2007. If I had a choice, I would go in November - although it was very hot, it was far less crowded than it was in July, when there were many more visitors.

On both occasions, we drove from Cape Town. The first time, we went north to Springbok and then east to Augrabies NP, where we spent the night. Then we headed into Upington, shopped and headed to the park. The second time, we spent a night at Karoo National Park and then went north to Upington via Victoria West. We overnighted in Upington (La Boheme Guesthouse - a fantastic B&B) and then headed to the park in the morning after grocery shopping. Both drives are lovely.

We rent our 4x4 from the Upington Toyota dealership - www.kgalagadi4x4.com - they rent a Toyota Double Cab Hilux with canopy. There is an Avis dealership at the Upington airport, so we drop the car that we have driven from CT there.

We will be returning to Kgalagadi in July 2008 - can't wait - it is a favourite of ours! Robin

canadian_robin

Sorry - should also add that we visited Bitterpan on both occasions - the drive to the camp takes about 5 hours at a liesurely pace - I would highly recommend the camp - it is a favourite of ours - so isolated and beautiful. Gharagab in the north is also lovely - I prefer it to Grootkolk, where we have also stayed. We had a leopard visit us on 3 occasions at Gharagab this past July (we stayed at the camp for 2 nights).

Our itinerary for July 08 is:
Drive from Cape Town to Upington with a night at Karoo National Park - then:

Upington - La Boheme Guesthouse
Kieliekrankie 2 nights
Nossob 1 night
Gharagab 2 nights
Nossob 1 night
Bitterpan 2 nights
Kalahari tented Camp 1 night
Urikaruus - 2 nights
back to Upington

Hope this answers some of your questions! Robin

matnikstym

Thanks Robin! How much 4 wheelin' experience do you need to go to Bitterpan or Gharagab? (I have 0 experience) What is your preferred route to the park? Karoo or Augrabies?

canadian_robin

Other than our two visits to Kgalagadi, my husband and I have no 4x4 experience whatever. Neither the Bitterpan or Gharagab roads are that bad - we had to back down a couple of dunes and try again, but that was it. You would have no trouble. If we can do it, anybody can!

The latter question is a tough one - both routes are lovely, but we have chosen to go the Victoria West route again this July (Beaufort West to Three Sisters on the N1 - then N12 to Victoria West, then N12 to Britstown, then N10 to Prieksa then N10 to Groblershoop then N10 to Upington - total of 618km, about 7 hours with a tea and picnic lunch break, according to my 2007 journal) - we love the trip across the Karoo. Also, Karoo National Park is worth a visit - lovely cabins in a great location.It's also an easier drive - CT to Augrabies in a day is a long drive (looking in my journal from 2004, we left CT before light at 6:45am and arrived in Augrabies at 5:15pm, with just a quick tea and then lunch break beside the highway - a long day!). If I were going to go that route again, I might be tempted to spend a night in Springbok and then Augrabies. If you go to Augrabies, be sure to hike up to the top of Moon Rock - great views of the contrast between the Orange River Valley and the surrounding desert)

I would highly recommend La Boheme in Upington - one of the nicest B&Bs we have stayed in. www.labohem.com

Hope this helps! Let me know if I can be of further help! Robin

canadian_robin

Sorry - I keep forgetting the obvious - for our visit this July, we are going to Kgalagadi via Victoria West as described above, but we are returning to CT the other route, with an overnight in Upington, then Springbok and then CT. A big circle! This way we get to see both routes, but we are missing the night at Augrabies - which I hated to do, but at least we have seen it before! Robin

amolkarnik

Hi Robin

Thanks for your input.

I have the following itinerary booked, starting 10th November 08

Kieliekrankie 1n
Nossob 2n
Urikaruus 2n
KTC 2n
TR 1n

Any thoughts on the selection/omissions of camps?