The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is the first official Transfrontier Conservation Area in Africa. It covers an area of 3.7-million hectares and encompasses the former Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa, the Gemsbok National Park and Mabuasehube Game Reserve in Botswana into one unit.
To survive the long dry spells, Kalahari animals need large areas to find sufficient food. It is essential, therefore, to maintain as large an unimpeded conservation area as possible. The park encompasses two of the three Kalahari eco-types. The southwestern portion of the park is duneveld, with its unique semi-arid vegetation; the northeastern part comprises of Kalahari plains thornveld.
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park offers various accommodation options, including traditional rest camps and three wilderness rest camps. The latter are exclusive and unfenced. Access to the wilderness areas is only possible with a 4×4 vehicle.
There are also two information centres in the park, at Twee Rivieren and Nossob, where visitors will find brochures and travel guides, and can book night drives or day walks with experienced guides. The park is home to the black-mane lion and large antelope such as the gemsbok and eland. Other carnivores include the bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, cheetah, hyena and leopard. The park is also known for its fascinating small mammals and birds, as well as scorpions and spiders.
When driving in the park, it is important to keep to the road and the speed limit, and not to feed the animals. Public telephones are available only at Twee Rivieren.
