Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - Rest Camps
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. Electricity is provided by a generator 18 hrs per day. No phone reception is available at the camp which ad to the tranquillity and peaceful atmosphere at Nossob. Nossob is 3½ hours drive from Twee Rivieren.
Because of the sparse vegetation and concentration of animals in the dry riverbeds of the Auob and Nossob Rivers, Kgalagadi offers premium mammal viewing destinations anywhere. It is especially renowned for predator watching and for the seasonal movement of large herbivores such as blue wildebeest, springbok, eland and red hartebeest. Ground Squirrel and Suricate (Meerkat) are two more of the park’s more prominent species. Both these ground dwelling species live in large family groups for added protection and can easily be seen throughout the park. Honey Badger (Ratel), Pangolin (Scaly Anteater) and Bat-eared Fox are some of the park specials to search for. But it is the predators that are the park’s biggest attraction. Excellent chances of seeing cheetah, leopard, brown and spotted hyena and the definitive black-maned lion exist
Accommodation
Guesthouse
- Two units (with inter leading door) that can be booked separately or together for either eight or two groups of four people.
- One guesthouse has 2 x two-bed bedrooms with ceiling fan, bathroom with shower and basin, separate toilet, kitchen and patio with barbeque.
- The other has 1 x two-bed bedroom with ceiling fan, stack bed in lounge, bathroom with shower and hand basin, separate toilet, kitchen and patio with barbeque.
Family Cottages
- 2 bed bedrooms, two beds in lounge, ceiling fans, shower, toilet, kitchen and patio with barbeque.
Cottages - 4 bed
- Bedroom with two beds, Stack bed on veranda, ceiling fan, bathroom with shower, hand basin and toilet, kitchen and patio with barbeque.
Cottages - 3 bed
- Bedroom, ceiling fan, bathroom with shower, hand basin and toilet, kitchen and patio with barbeque.
Cottages - 2 bed
- Bedroom, ceiling fan, bathroom with shower, hand basin and toilet, kitchen and patio with barbeque.
Camping sites
- Barbeque facilities
- Communal ablution.
Facilities
- Laundry tubs and ironing facilities (no iron) in camping area of Twee Rivieren, Nossob and Mata-Mata.
- Twee Rivieren, the largest rest camp and administrative base, has a swimming pool, information centre, shop and public telephone and cell phone reception.
- Restaurant - serves breakfast and dinner (A-la-Carte)
- Predator centre at Nossob.
- Hides at water hole at Nossob and Mata Mata.
- The camps have limited freezing facilities and cannot provide a freezing service to tourists.
- Shops in Twee Rivieren, Mata-Mata and Nossob sell commodities that you would find in your local supermarket, including fresh meat, milk, cheese, eggs, bread, wine and beer.
- Petrol (premium and unleaded) and diesel at Twee Rivieren, Mata-Mata and Nossob.
- Five picnic sites throughout the Park with barbeque facilities and communal ablutions (no water available).
- Swimming pool in Twee Rivieren and Kalahari Tent Camp, Mata Mata and Nossob.
Extra Information
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.
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
| Gate Times | Jan - Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun-Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov-Dec |
| Gates Open | 05:30 | 06:30 | 07:00 | 06:00 | 06:00 | 06:00 | 06:30 | 06:00 | 05:30 |
| Gates Close | 19:30 | 19:00 | 18:30 | 06:00 | 06:00 | 06:00 | 18:30 | 19:00 | 19:30 |
Take note
- Pets are not allowed in a National Park.
- Firearms must be declared at the gate where they will be sealed. The seal will be broken upon departure.
- Shoes are essential on summer evenings for protection against the possibility of 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. Prior permission must be obtained from the Park.
- 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).
Guests utilising Botswana trails and campsites must be in possession of the correct permits obtained through Botswana Central Reservations.
Climate
Mild highveld summers with the possibility of thunderstorms in the afternoon and cold winters with occasional snow transforming the park into a white wonderland.
