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Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Travel Guide
Wildlife prospers under the radar of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a huge, unspoiled nature preserve and conservation area in Southern Africa. Located within the southern Kalahari Desert, Kgalagadi is best known for its unique desert-adapted birds, mammals, rodents and reptiles, especially the black-maned Kalahari lions and gemsbok. The park is a popular stop for tourists crossing to Botswana from South Africa, and vice versa. People with disabilities can engage in a safari as there are camps that cater to their needs. There are also chalets and pole tent areas where backpackers can spend barbecue nights amid a desert filled with abundant, varied wilderness and extremes.
Meaning "the great thirst" in Tswana, Kgalagadi is made up of 120 nutrient-rich saltpans or dry riverbeds, which during rainy season, are filled with water sustaining the animals during winter. Winter (June to August) is the best time to view animals as they congregate in the riverbeds to drink. The tourist is considered lucky if he or she can witness the rivers flow, which happens only once in a century, summoning almost all animals to get out from their hiding places to fill "the great thirst."
While on board a four by four vehicle or while walking on guided tours, travelers usually encounter exotic mammals such as endangered wild dogs, leopards, blue wildebeests, giraffes, hyenas, aardvarks, bat-eared foxes, and sociable weavers and vultures. Kgalagadi is a haven for birdwatchers as it has over 50 species of raptors and 200 kinds of birds like flamingos, pelicans and pygmy falcons. Locating a mob of meerkats is a favorite among tourists as these furry fellows perform antics in the dunes.
As for flora, the melon-like creeper water-holding tsamma and massive camel-thorn trees are the unique ones commonly found by the riverbeds.
Apart from hiking and wildlife watching, travelers usually spend time visiting the Kgalgadi Museum or attending their respective camps' holiday programs, slide shows and lectures to know more information about the park's animals and how to conserve them. Cultural preservation is also included in the park's agenda, and for this, tours may be arranged to visit the nearby communities of the Khomani San and Mier. Little San children also go near one of the park's entrance gates to sell seed jewelry as souvenir.
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