Neighbouring Botswana, in southeastern Namibia, the renowned Kalahari Desert spans over the spectacularly scenic landscape in the south which features small red-orange dunes, similar to those of the world-famous Sossusvlei. This semi-arid southern terrain is covered with a thin layer of golden savanna and forms part of the Kalahari Basin. This landscape of ancient dunes and yellow grasslands is home to an array of desert-adapted wildlife who call southern Kalahari home including: antelope, spotted hyena, cheetah, meerkat, ostrich, gemsbok, porcupine, the Kalahari lion and a large number of migratory birds. Visitors can discover centuries-old Bushmen paintings, soak up the magnificent views of the southern Kalahari and stay over in one of the many lodges in the area and enjoy nature walks, nature drives and horse riding.
The following information will be useful for your visit to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
- Shops in Mata Mata, Nossob and Twee Rivieren camps sell basic commodities.
- There are no credit/debit card facilities at any of the shops, except for Twee Rivieren.
- All cards, credit and debit cards are accepted as a form of payment for fuel.
- Twee Rivieren is the only camp with a restaurant.
- As outdoor lighting in camps is limited, a torch/headlamp is required when walking outside at night.
- The main camps do have drinking water albeit very mineralised. The Wilderness camps do not have potable water and one should provide their own drinking water.
- Guests travelling to Twee Rivieren via Upington (Askham) must note that the tarring of the road has been completed. The road via Van Zylsrus must not be driven at a high speed as the gravel section on this route is badly corrugated.
- Kindly note that the roads in the Kgalagadi are not sedan friendly and that sedan vehicles find it difficult to cope with the road conditions and that some roads might not be accessible when wet, although authorities intervene to maintain the roads on a regular basis.
- Swimming pools at Twee Rivieren, Kalahari Tent camps, Mata Mata and Nossob camps.
- Power points at camping sites, in Twee Rivieren, Mata Mata and Nossob camps.
- Hide at waterhole in Mata Mata and Nossob camps.
- Waterhole at Bitterpan, Grootkolk, Kieliekrankie, Urikaruus, Gharagab and Kalahari Tent camps.
- Predator centre at Nossob camp.
- Bitterpan, Grootkolk, Kieliekrankie, Urikaruus, Gharagab and Kalahari Tent camps are not fenced.
- Guests staying at Bitterpan, Grootkolk, Kieliekrankie, Urikaruus, Gharagab and Kalahari Tent camps must take own wood and drinking water.
- Only guests staying at Bitterpan and Gharagab are allowed to make use of 4X4 roads to Bitterpan and Gharagab. NO TRAILERS ALLOWED ON THESE ROADS.
- Closest shop to Kalahari Tent camp is at Mata Mata camp (3 km away).
- Departure time for the Nossob 4 x 4 eco-trail from Twee Rivieren or Nossob camp is 09:00.
- For trails that start in Twee Rivieren, it is advisable to book the night after the trail, in Nossob camp.
Please note:
- Tourists wanting to exit the park other than the point of entry must kindly note that all immigration controls must be done at Twee Rivieren / Two Rivers and a minimum of two nights stay in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is required to be allowed to pass through the Mata Mata border post to and from Namibia or when entering or exiting the Park to or from Botswana.
- Tourists crossing into Namibia: Kindly note that the standard black and white’ ZA’ vehicle sticker is required. A road levy of R154 per trailer and R242 per vehicle is payable at Namibian immigration when entering Namibia.
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.
Office Hours: 07:30 to sundown
Park Regulations
- To ensure a safe and joyful trip through our parks, kindly adhere to the Rules and Regulations as stipulated by South African National Parks. Please adhere!
- The use of drones inside (and over) our national parks is strictly prohibited.
Set on the Trans-Namib Railway in the ǁKaras region of southern Namibia, the town of Keetmanshoop is known as the capital of southern Namibia. Founded in 1860, the quaint oasis is a living slice of history. German colonial architecture is dotted around the town and the local museum, housed in an old church, provides interesting insight into the town’s heritage. Just a short drive out of town, the Quiver Tree Forest is a sea of spikes and twisted trunks, while the neighbouring ‘Giant’s Playground’ is an evocative expanse of strange rock formations. Both offer superb opportunities for photography, particularly at sunset.
Carving out an epic rocky wonderland in southern Namibia, the Fish River has created Africa’s largest, and the world’s second-largest, canyon. Hot, dry and dramatic, the Fish River Canyon stretches for an astonishing 160 kilometres, reaching up to 27 kilometres wide and 550 metres deep. Its vast, rugged beauty draws visitors from across the globe. Adventurers can tackle the challenging 85 kilometre Fish River Hiking Trail, which winds through 1.5 billion years of geological history, while those seeking rest can soak in the mineral-rich hot springs of Ai-Ais or admire breathtaking views from Hobas Restcamp and other viewpoints along the rim. Scenic chartered flights, horse riding, nature drives, and seasonal kayaking complete this unforgettable Namibian experience.
Rising from the beautiful Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho, forming part of the international border between South Africa and Namibia, the Orange River is the longest river in South Africa. The Orange River Basin extends into Namibia and northern Botswana. The river snakes its way through one of Southern Africa’s harshest environments bringing life to an area of sheer rugged beauty. Aside from vineyards in the desert the river also creates a mobile playground from which to explore the area. This spectacular river created the diamond dune fields along Namibia's coast, by washing diamonds downstream from the Kimberly region over millions of years. Visitors can look forward to excellent whitewater rafting, canoeing, and kayaking, as well as wonderful river cruises which allow excellent views of the surroundings.
Perched above the plains of the Namib Desert in the rocky Aus Mountains, the small village of Aus lies at the heart of phenomenal botanic diversity. Aus serves as an excellent base from which to see the area’s major attraction: the feral horses of the Namib Desert, which run wild and free in the sparsely vegetated plains. The best place for viewings is at the water trough at Garub, which lies just twenty kilometres away from Aus. Visitors can gain insight into the Succulent Karoo by visiting beautiful Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park, home to the most biodiverse desert in the world. Don't miss the opportunity to camp under the famously clear Namibian night sky and experience the desert landscape on horseback.
Isolated on private land a the edge of the Namib Desert, the tiny village of Helmeringhausen was founded during the German colonial era. Here, one can enjoy an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity that only the wilderness can provide. The town serves as an idyllic and convenient base for exploring the breathtaking Fish River Canyon, the largest in Africa, with its technicolour scenes and refreshing turquoise pool; nearby Luderitz, with its mysterious ghost town and stunning coast; the astonishing landscapes of Sossusvlei; and the enthralling Naukluft National Park.
The best time to visit Sossusvlei is in the early morning. The park gates open at dawn and the golden light just after sunrise is perfect. Take along enough drinking water, sunscreen and a hat.
Situated in the largest conservation area in Africa (the Namib-Naukluft National Park), Sossusvlei is possibly Namibia’s most spectacular and best-known attraction. Characterized by the large red dunes that surround it, Sossusvlei is a large, white, salt and clay pan and is a great destination all year round. The dunes in this area are some of the highest in the world and provide photographic enthusiasts with wonderful images in the beautiful morning and evening light. Sossusvlei literally translates to “dead-end marsh”, as it is the place where the dunes come together preventing the Tsauchab River to flow any further, some 60km east of the Atlantic Ocean. However, due to the dry conditions in the Namib Desert the River seldom flows this far and the pan remains bone-dry most years.
Close to Sossusvlei, Deadvlei is a clay pan characterized by dark, dead camel thorn trees contrasted against the white pan floor. The pan was formed when the Tsauchab River flooded, and the abundance of water allowed camel thorn trees to grow. However, the climate changed, and the sand dunes encroached on the pan, blocking the river from reaching the area. The trees are estimated to be approximately 900 years old, however they have not decomposed due to the dry climate. Deadvlei is at least 1km walk from the parking lot so be sure to take drinking water with you.
Sesriem Canyon is located approximately 4.5km from the entrance gate of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The Tsauchab River has shaped the Canyon over millions of years and it is one of the few places in the area that holds water all year round. The early Afrikaans explorers in the region named the canyon after the fact that they had to use six (“ses”) leather straps (“riem”) tied together to create a rope long enough to lower buckets into the canyon below, in order to fetch water.
Do not forget to carry enough water and protect yourself from the extreme sunlight.
Respect the delicate ecosystem of this region and be sure to stick to the path marked with stakes.
Since the dune area of Sossusvlei is only open during the day - from sunrise to sunset - you have to inquire about the exact opening hours.
🚫 No More Self-Drive Access Beyond 2x4 Parking Area
From 01st of May 2026, self-drive visitors will no longer be permitted to drive beyond the 2x4 Parking Area into the 4x4 section leading to Deadvlei and Sossusvlei.
This measure supports visitor safety and the long-term environmental protection of the UNESCO-listed dune landscape.
A new, professionally guided hop-on / hop-off excursion service will operate daily from 07:00 to 17:00 from the 2x4 Parking area to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei.
Rates for 2026:
• N$ 260 per adult
• N$ 130 per child under 12
✨ Additional Visitor Services:
- A Ticket Sales Counter at the MEFT Gate Entrance
- A Refreshment Lounge at the 2x4 Parking Area
