The Kalahari Desert stretches from the Orange River in South Africa up to Angola in the north, in the west to Namibia and in the east to Zimbabwe. This means that the sand basin of the Kalahari covers about 70% of the area of Botswana.

The word Kalahari comes from the Tsawana word “Kgalagadi” meaning the “great thirst”.

The dominant vegetation of the Kalahari is grass, thorny shrubs and Acacia Trees, which can survive long drought periods (up to 10 months).

Great parts of the Kalahari are National Parks, such as the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park (Namibia and South Africa), the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana and the Okavango Delta in the northwest of Botswana.

The best place to explore the Kalahari from South Africa is Upington.

How to get there?
Click here for a Route Planner if you travel by car - otherwise click here for links to bus services in South Africa.

For a couple of pics, see this link(google pics)
Watch the offical video stream from SANParks.com

Check the tra:guide accommodation forum for comments & reviews
Check the tra:guide trips & tours forum for comments & reviews

tra:guide link http://www.kalaharisafaris.co.za

The Augrabies Falls National Park

The Augrabies Falls are one of the more or less hidden treasures of South Africa. Not many backpackers come up here, but those who went there enjoyed the amazing landscape of the fascinating desert/riverine ecosystem of the Orange River and the Kalahari. The name “Augrabies” comes from the Namaqua word for “place of great noise”. Especially in high water season (summer) you get to know the reason for this – the Orange River drops 191 meters down and creates “great noise”. The Augrabies Falls are about 120km west of Upington and 40 km northwest of Kakamas. The easiest access to the falls is going to Upington and booking a tour from there or, if you have any transport, drive to the little town of Augrabies, which is about 10km from the National Park.
For more detailed information check the official website of the National Park.

How to get there?
Click here for a Route Planner if you travel by car -
otherwise click here for links to bus services in South Africa.
For reviews and comments check the tra:guide trips & tours forum !

Watch the offical video stream of the Augrabies NP
Check the tra:mag accommodation forum for comments