Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one of the best destinations to find the big cats, especially cheetahs, along with many other predators. Black-maned lions are often sighted lazing in the shade on hot days or heard roaring through the night, and cheetahs can be seen prowling for prey. The landscape of the Kgalagadi is just as incredible to see as the wildlife. Red sand dunes span the endless horizons meeting beautiful clear blue skies and pose an exquisite setting for photography. With its picturesque landscapes and awesome predators, the Kgalagadi truly lives up to the ideals of an African safari.
-
Best Time To Go
March - May
-
Average Safari Cost
$200 to $1,500pp/day
-
Highlights
Beautiful scenery, black-maned lions and many other predators, game drives, guided walking safaris and so much more!
Why Visit Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park?
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park spans from Botswana into South Africa and, while the South African side has better facilities, the Botswana side offers a pure African safari experience. With its rustic and secluded campsites, the Kgalagadi offers an exciting adventure in the wilderness that just can't be beat.
You will get the chance to see cheetahs, black-maned lions, hyenas and many more creatures thriving in their true habitats. The Kgalagadi is a massive conservation area that results in an amazing opportunity for you to see animals living in their natural habitats. Whether you're driving yourself through the park or adventuring off on game drives, there is plenty of wildlife and stunning scenery to see.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Superb animal viewing
- Good chance to see cheetahs and black-maned lions
- Beautiful scenery for photography
- Excellent for bird watching
- Beautiful sunrise and sunset game drives
Cons
- Less diversity of wildlife than in some other reserves
- Very harsh climate and can get uncomfortably hot
Best Time To Visit
The best time for game viewing is from March to May. This is after the rainy months when animals can easily be found gathering around the riverbeds. While these months are at the end of summer, it can still be very hot with temperatures averaging around 88˚F (31˚C) during the day. Leading into the winter season, nights can get cold in May with temperatures of about 43˚F(6˚C). This time is also the best for birdwatching as migratory species can be spotted.
The summer months of October to February can be extremely hot and, as this is the wet season, thunderstorms bring heavy rains and strong winds, which can disrupt game drives and other activities. Temperatures during the day can reach up to 113˚F (45˚C).
Daytime temperatures are much more pleasant during the winter months, May to September, but the nights can be very cold. The animals disperse more during these months and are harder to spot as they move through the land looking for food and water.
For more details about when to visit broken down by months/seasons see our Botswana overview.
Start your Botswana Adventure
Popular Tours In Botswana
Victoria Falls & Chobe
The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. Known locally as the "Mosi-oa-Tunya" -- the smoke that thunders, the Falls are remarkable. Combine your Vic Falls holiday with the Chobe game reserve, about an hour away in Botswana, which hosts the largest concentration of elephants in Africa.
Extend Safari - Victoria Falls & Okavango Delta
Arrive at Victoria Falls and depart from Maun. This Safari is Suitable for those who are looking in extending Safari, arrive from either Namibia, Kruger, Cape town etc to Victoria Falls airport. Airport transfer to Ilala lodge or similar for two nights, includes Tour of Victoria Falls, the third day we drive down to Botswana direct at Kasane airport for charter flight Kasane to Okavango Delta for 3 nights, fully inclusive; Your final transfer is by charter flight from Okavango to Maun airport.
Fly in Safari Okavango & Mobile Camping Safari
Guests arrive Maun and Depart from Kasane; Two nights at Khwai with a Full-day Game Drive in Moremi Game reserve; Fly in to Okavango delta for 2 nights. Charter flight to Savuti, 3 nights wilderness camping safari in Savuti and Chobe, get to indulge in the adventure as you discover the most remote and untouched corners of Botswana’s iconic wilderness destinations – in the exclusive company of your very own private guide. Finally; Two nights in Kasane and Day trip to Victoria Falls
Wildlife And Birds
From fierce black-maned lions to little but charismatic meerkats, the Kgalagadi has a great variety of wildlife to see. If you want to see big cats roam the land, this is the place to be.
While it doesn't have the impressive diversity of wildlife species some of the other parks have, it does boast incredible predator sightings, especially cheetahs. The Kgalagadi is also good for birdwatching and is well known for its birds of prey.
- Lion
- Cheetah
- Hyena
- Giraffe
Frequently Seen Animals:
- Lion
- Cheetah
- Hyena
- Wildebeest
Rare Animals:
- Giraffe
- Wild dog
- Pangolin
While there are over 300 species of birds to see in the Kgalagadi, only about 100 of those species are inhabitants of the land. With 46 recorded species, the park is a great destination for the birds of prey sightings. The best time for birdwatching in the Kgalagadi is from November to April, as this is when migratory birds can be found.
Endangered Birds:
- Ludwig's bustard
- White-backed vulture
- Hooded vulture
- Martial eagle
- Steppe eagle
- Black harrier
Near-Endemic Birds:
- White-quilled bustard
Getting There And Safety
If you are based in the UK and Europe, check out these flights to Botswana.
If you are based in the USA and Canada, check out these flights to Botswana.
For more details about flights see our Botswana Safari - Complete Travel Guide.
All foreign visitors must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after their visit. Visas are not required by visitors of many nationalities, who will receive a 30-day entry permit upon arrival.
For more details about visas see our Botswana Safari - Complete Travel Guide.
The vaccinations recommended for Botswana are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid. Boosters are recommended for measles, tetanus and diphtheria.
Unless you plan to travel to the more northern parks of Botswana, anti-malarial drugs aren't necessary.
It’s better to check with your local medical authority which vaccinations are required.
For more details about vaccinations see our Botswana Safari - Complete Travel Guide.
Going on a safari in Africa comes with obvious risks. We recommend you get travel insurance for all safaris in Botswana. Make sure your insurance has full medical coverage, emergency air evacuation, repatriation and the standard travel insurance for cancellations, delays and luggage cover.
Check the World Nomads’ travel insurance calculator to see the cost of the safari trip cover.
You will need to pack clothes for both warm and cool weather as it can get very hot during the day and quite cold at night depending on what time of the year you go. Try to pack neutral, earthy toned clothes and avoid bright colours. Other essential items are a hat, sunscreen, toiletries, closed shoes, torch, batteries, insect repellent, binoculars, camera, a good map and a First Aid kit.
For more details on what to pack see our Safari Packing List.