Kalahari Desert / Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Rolling red sand dunes and unending blue horizons - broken only by the odd camel thorn tree - best describes the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

The atmosphere within the park is almost ethereal, sounds seem stifled and there is a peacefulness not to be found in the more frequented national parks of South Africa. The park traverses South African’s northernmost border with Namibia, and extends into the southwest corner of Botswana. It is not unusual to see signs for both countries on either side of the road as you travel through the extensive dirt and gravel network.

In terms of wildlife, the signature species is the Oryx or Gemsbok - giving the park its former name of Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. This elegant antelope with its impressive scimitar-shaped horns is able to thrive in the dry environment and is often spotted as a solitary figure on a red dune, the only break in the brilliantly blue horizon.

Among the many reasons the park is worth a visit are the black-maned lions indigenous to the area. Leopards also abound, along with birds of prey. For the sharp-eyed, owls can be spotted in the trees, hares at the base of trees and African wild cats hiding from the heat of the sun - inside holes in trees.

The Kgalagadi is one of the most underrated highlights of South Africa, other than by South Africans themselves, who will often travel great distances to visit the park annually.