Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park extends to Kalahari Gemsbok National Park situated in South Africa. The unique red sand dunes are an attractive scenery for many tourists. Having Kgalagadi tours and safaris itinerary helps you to have an outstanding trip.
In 1999, Botswana and South Africa signed a historic treaty to establish the first transfrontier conservation area (TFCA), also known as a Peace Park, in Africa. Conservation experts had proposed plans for the joint management and integration of South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Botswana’s Gemsbok National Park as early as 1989. However, these plans could not be fully realized until South Africa achieved democratic rule. Following South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994, negotiations were finalized with the support of the Peace Parks Foundation, and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) officially opened in May 2002.
This vast wilderness spans 37,000 square kilometres and is now jointly managed as a protected area by both countries. The park is completely unfenced, allowing wildlife to move freely along ancient migration routes essential for survival in the harsh desert environment.
Located in Botswana’s extreme southwest corner and adjacent to South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, the KTP is managed as a single ecological unit, with gate receipts shared between the two countries. However, tourist facilities within the park are still operated independently.
The majority of animals in Kgalagadi Park are predators. Unfortunately, if you’re hoping to see buffalo, elephants, or rhinos, this is not the right place. Common species include the Cape fox, bat-eared fox, brown and spotted hyenas, lions, leopards, servals, black-backed jackals, wild dogs, caracals, and cheetahs.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park features sparse vegetation, dry riverbeds from the Auob and Nossob streams, and a few scattered trees. You might spot these animals quenching their thirst at the riverbeds. The park is also home to several types of antelope, including springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, red hartebeest, and eland, along with hundreds of bird species and giraffes.
Animals can move freely without obstacles in this space. A rewarding safari in Botswana will let you explore the lively interactions of the hyenas. Additionally, you may encounter tortoises, ostriches, mongooses, and meerkats among the park’s residents.
Nestled in the extreme southwest corner of Botswana and bordering South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park embodies a united ecological vision, where the gate receipts symbolize shared stewardship between two nations.