Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours

5.0/5 – 15 Reviews

$3,583 pp (USD)
This tour is offered in ZAR. Show rate in ZAR

2 travelers   on   Start date
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Start Date
Age at the end of the tour
*This tour does not accept children under 12.
Travelers

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

  • Clients collect their self-drive vehicle at the airport.
  • Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Day 1

Arrive in Upington, meet your guide and drive in convoy to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Arrive in Upington, meet your guide and drive in convoy to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

You either collect your vehicle when you fly to Upington for the start of your tour or you self-drive to Upington if you already have a vehicle. You will meet your guide in Upington.

We drive in convoy to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. As we drive northwards, the Kalahari will start to reveal herself to you. She will welcome you with views of red dunes and salt pans next to the road.

The Kalahari Desert is a large, semi-arid sandy savannah in Southern Africa, extending for 900,000 sq. km. It covers much of Botswana, as well as parts of Namibia and South Africa.

A 4x4 vehicle is best suited for the road and trail conditions you will experience on this tour. Rest assured, your guide is fully qualified to assist you with any 4x4 challenges that you might encounter.

Please note: Refer to our company profile for a summary of the benefits of driving your own vehicle.

Main Destination:
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Best Time To Visit March to May (The riverbeds attract animals)
High Season Never (The park never gets very crowded)
Best Weather May to Seotember (Less hot during the day)

Wildlife in Kgalagadi TP

LionCommon
CheetahCommon
HyenaCommon
LeopardOccasional
Show more
ZebraNone
HippoNone
Accommodation:
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
  • Mid-range rest camp located inside Kgalagadi TP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 2

Explore the Kgalagadi around the Twee Rivieren Camp

Explore the Kgalagadi around the Twee Rivieren Camp

Join an early morning drive on an open game-viewing vehicle. The professional field guide will provide information about the animals, birds, vegetation, etc. we see during the drive.

After the morning drive, we explore the Kgalagadi to the north of the Twee Rivieren Camp. Learn about the Nossob and Auob Rivers and how often they are in flood.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park lies in the large sand-filled basin in the west of the Southern African subcontinent, known as the Kalahari. It covers almost one-third of the area and forms what may be the largest sandveld area in the world.

In 1999, Botswana and South Africa signed a historic bilateral agreement whereby both countries undertook to manage their adjacent national parks, the Gemsbok National Park and the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park as a single ecological unit. In 2000, Southern Africa’s first peace park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, was formally launched by presidents Mogae (Botswana) and Mbeki (South Africa).

Main Destination:
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Accommodation:
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
  • Mid-range rest camp located inside Kgalagadi TP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 3

Drive to the Mata Mata Camp and back

Drive to the Mata Mata Camp and back

We follow the Auob River to the Mata Mata Camp. This is a slow drive visiting the waterholes along the river, each offering a surprise. The Kalahari will reveal more of herself as we drive. Who knows what animals and birds we will see on the dunes next to the river?

After stretching our legs at the Mata Mata Camp, we follow the Auob River back to the Twee Rivieren Camp. The Kalahari will definitely amaze us along the way.

Main Destination:
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Accommodation:
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
  • Mid-range rest camp located inside Kgalagadi TP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 4

Explore the Kgalagadi around the Twee Rivieren Camp

Explore the Kgalagadi around the Twee Rivieren Camp

We explore the Kgalagadi to the north of the Twee Rivieren Camp. The Leeudril 4x4 Loop is on the menu for today. This is an interesting 4x4 trail crossing the dunes. Along this trail, you will experience more of the remoteness of the Kalahari.

Join a sunset drive on an open game-viewing vehicle. The professional field guide will provide information about the animals, birds, vegetation, and more we see during the drive. This is also an opportunity to spot some of the nocturnal animals.

Main Destination:
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Accommodation:
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
  • Mid-range rest camp located inside Kgalagadi TP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 5

Drive from the Kgalagadi TFP to the Augrabies Falls NP

Drive from the Kgalagadi TFP to the Augrabies Falls NP

We say goodbye to the Kgalagadi TFP and drive to the Augrabies Falls NP via Upington.

Augrabies is derived from the Nama word as the Khoi people would refer to “Aukoerebis” meaning the "place of great noise." This refers to the Orange River water thundering its way down the spectacular 56m main waterfall.

The ancestors of modern history have inhabited the area surrounding the Orange River since the Early Stone Age. During this time, there is evidence that early man had developed weapons for hunting animals like hippopotamus. They knew to establish themselves near good water sources like the Orange River. During the Middle Stone Age, man had created more formal work tools and began to utilise fire. The Late Stone Age, which dates back 22,000 years, is characterised by tools that are smaller than the previous periods.

Main Destination:
Augrabies Falls National Park
Best Time To Visit April to September (Not too hot)
High Season Never ( Only busy during school holidays)
Best Weather May to September (Less hot during the day)

Wildlife in Augrabies Falls NP

GiraffeCommon
ZebraOccasional
HyenaOccasional
LeopardVery Rare
Show more
LionNone
HippoNone
Accommodation:
Augrabies Falls Rest Camp
  • Mid-range rest camp located inside Augrabies Falls NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 6

Explore the Augrabies Falls NP

Explore the Augrabies Falls NP

You join a day drive in an open game-viewing vehicle. The professional field guide will provide information about the animals, birds, vegetation, and more we see during the drive.

Stand next to the waterfall and "feel" the mighty Orange River being forced into and thundering down the 56m waterfall.

We use the rest of the day to explore more of the national park.

Main Destination:
Augrabies Falls National Park
Accommodation:
Augrabies Falls Rest Camp
  • Mid-range rest camp located inside Augrabies Falls NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 7

Visit Riemvasmaak hot springs

Visit Riemvasmaak hot springs

Today we drive to the Riemvasmaak hot springs. The road winds through the most amazing rock formations of all shapes, sizes, and colours. The hot springs are one of the must-visit hot springs in South Africa. They were formed from volcanic eruptions that occurred centuries ago.

Riemvasmaak (pronounced "rim fus maack") means "tighten the strap" or "tied with straps". Riemvasmaak is 75,000 ha of sheer mountain desert wilderness located between the Orange and the dry Molopo Rivers. It is a wilderness born from violent volcanic activity millions of years ago, but it is a land of beauty that takes on spiritual proportions. Here, you can relax in the hot springs dwarfed by 80m-high granite cliffs or simply set your soul free to soar with the black eagles through the lunar landscape.

Main Destination:
Augrabies Falls National Park
Accommodation:
Augrabies Falls Rest Camp
  • Mid-range rest camp located inside Augrabies Falls NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 8

Continue with the rest of your journey

Continue with the rest of your journey

Today we drive back to Upington. This is your last day in the Kalahari region of South Africa. Next to the road, you will see the grape and related farming areas that are thriving in this harsh environment.

You hand back your 4x4 vehicle to the rental company. As our time together draws to a close, we say goodbye to our new friends and head back home. You will continue your journey to your next destination on your own whenever you feel ready to leave. We hope that you will cherish the unforgettable memories you have made during your time with us and that you will have plenty of beautiful photos to share with your loved ones and friends.

Main Destination:
Upington (Town)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • Clients return their self-drive vehicle at the airport.

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  • Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
  • If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
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Your request will be sent directly to the operator

If preferred, you can contact the operator directly

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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
  • This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours.