Most self drive trips to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park pass through Upington. It is the last big town before Twee Rivieren, the park’s main gate on the South African side, and where many travellers fly in, hire a car and do their final shopping.

That makes the first and last nights of the trip worth planning as carefully as the nights inside the park. This guide covers the distance and the road, what to buy before you go, when to visit, and how a night at African Vineyard on Kanoneiland fits around it all.

How far is the Kgalagadi from Upington?

Twee Rivieren is about 250 km north of Upington on the R360, through Askham. SANParks confirms that the road via Askham is now fully tarred, so any car can reach the gate.

From African Vineyard, the drive to Twee Rivieren takes about two and a half hours. The route runs through Upington, about 30 km from the hotel, so add time to stop for fuel and groceries in town.

Reaching the gate is only the start. Twee Rivieren sits at the southern tip of the park, and the other main camps are a long way in. Nossob, for example, is at least three and a half hours’ drive from Twee Rivieren. Most visitors check in at Twee Rivieren reception first (guests booked into Bitterpan or Grootkolk check in at Nossob instead), and gate times change through the year. Leaving early on day one gives you time to check in, drive to your camp and still see some game on the way.

Why spend the night before on Kanoneiland

Most people reach Upington after a long drive or a flight. Pushing on to the park the same day means arriving at Twee Rivieren tired, late in the afternoon, with little time left in daylight.

Many of our guests stay with us on their way to the Kgalagadi. A night on Kanoneiland lets you do the shopping in Upington, sleep properly and set off fresh in the morning. Kanoneiland is the largest inhabited island in the Orange River, covered in vineyards and much quieter than staying in town. African Vineyard has 14 rooms, the DiVine Restaurant on site for dinner, and a generator, so the power stays on.

• Leaving before 7:00? We pack a breakfast for you to take on the road.
• There is secure parking for trailers and 4×4 vehicles.

A simple plan for your first and last night

Arrival day. Fly or drive into Upington, collect your hire car and do your shopping that afternoon. Check in on Kanoneiland, have dinner at DiVine and pack the car before bed.

Departure morning. If you leave before 7:00, take a packed breakfast with you, top up the tank and head north on the R360. An early start puts you at Twee Rivieren with most of the day ahead.

Return night. After days of dust and early starts, come back to a spa treatment, a proper dinner and a comfortable bed before the flight or the long drive home. Spa treatments depend on availability, so book well ahead.

What to buy in Upington before you go

• Fuel. Fill up in Upington. Inside the park, fuel is only sold at Twee Rivieren, Nossob and Mata Mata, and Twee Rivieren has run short of unleaded petrol more than once in recent years. Keep the tank as full as you can.
• Drinking water. The main camps have water, but it is heavily mineralised. The wilderness camps have no drinking water at all. Buy bottled water in town, where it is cheaper.
• Firewood. If you are booked into a wilderness camp, you must bring your own wood as well as your water.
• Groceries. The camp shops sell basics, but they close for stocktaking on certain days each month. Buy most of your food in Upington and treat the camp shops as a backup.
• Paperwork. Bring ID or a passport, and print and complete the SANParks gate registration and indemnity form before you arrive.
• Pets. Pets are not allowed in national parks, so plan for them before you leave home.

When to go

Summer in the Kgalagadi runs from October to April. December, January and February are the hottest months, with daytime temperatures averaging around 35°C and peaks well above that. Winter, from May to September, is dry with mild days and cold mornings, and nights can drop below freezing.

Guides do not agree on the best month. Some rate March to May highest, when animals tend to gather along the two main riverbeds as summer ends. Others prefer May to September for the cooler weather. A December holiday trip works too, with early drives, a rest through the midday heat and plenty of water in the car.

Whenever you go, book park accommodation well in advance, especially over school holidays.

Our advice to every Kgalagadi guest: “in the nothingness of nothing you will find everything.” Look closely at the birds, the little creatures, the open skies and the land itself.

Add Augrabies Falls to the trip

Augrabies Falls National Park lies about 120 km west of Upington. Kanoneiland lies between Upington and Keimoes, on the way to the falls, which are about an hour’s drive from the hotel. That makes it a base for both parks: the Kgalagadi to the north, and Augrabies as a day trip before or after. Our local attractions posts cover more of the area.

Frequently asked questions

How far is the Kgalagadi from Upington?

About 250 km to Twee Rivieren on the R360, which is tarred all the way.

Do I need a 4×4 for the Kgalagadi?

Not to reach Twee Rivieren. Inside the park, some routes and wilderness camps are better suited to a 4×4 with high clearance, so check the requirements for your camp when you book with SANParks.

Where can I buy fuel?

Fill up in Upington. Inside the park, fuel is sold at Twee Rivieren, Nossob and Mata Mata only.

Where should I stay before the Kgalagadi?

Upington is the last large town on the route. African Vineyard on Kanoneiland, about 30 km from town and two and a half hours from Twee Rivieren, gives you a quiet night, dinner on site, secure parking and a packed breakfast for early starts.

Plan your stopover. Check availability for your first and last night, or see our rooms and spa treatments.