Kalahari Gemsbok National Park Things to Do

4 more images

The oryx is a large antelope of striking appearance with long, spearlike horns. It has a thick, horselike neck with a short mane and a compact, muscular body.
The oryx's ringed horns are up to 30 inches long, making them formidable weapons. The female's horns are often longer and thinner than the male's.
Originally, various oryx species were found in all of Africa's arid regions. One species that occurred on the Arabian Peninsula was exterminated recently but has now been reintroduced into the wild from captive stock. Well adapted to the conditions of their hot, arid habitats, oryx can live as long as 20 years.

4 more images

In abundance one finds the Springbok in this park. The national animal of South Africa is a fast antelope that can jump long distances.
If you move slowly you will be able to get very close to them since they are quiet used to cars. During the heat of the day they are assembled in the shadow of trees.

4 more images

Imagine Lions in the desert - but this is exactly what one finds in the Kalahari Gemsbok Park. Seeing them they appear a lot bigger since there is very little vegetation around. Check at the gate or the camps if someone has sighted any and then follow the direction. Lions are lazy during the day hence if a pride was spotted it is bound to be near by. Though lions have almost the same colour as the desert, watch careful and if you think you see something, stop - it maybe the lions!

The Red Hartebeest is the third most common antelope in Kgalagadi behind the springbok and gemsbok. It has very flat head from its forehead to its mouth. It is a large antelope weighing 280-500lbs (130 – 230 kg) and stands nearly 5 feet tall (1.4 m)

The coat is red to reddish brown and has a white rump and black tail. There are some black marks on its upper legs. It’s mouth and forehead are black and the horns are “V” shaped and curved behind.

Kori Bustards are another bird that is common in Kgalagadi. These birds are enormous. They are the heaviest flying birds in Africa, although rarely flys. The wings are mostly grey with white and black spots on the leading the edge. The neck is darker grey. Head is pointed into a long beak and quill-like had feathers.
This bird feeds on grasshoppers, dung beetles, rodents, reptiles, wild melons, seeds ands, roots.
Sometime found in large groups walking in a line scouring and scavenging the ground for any food.

The Secretary bird is one of the more common raptures found in Kgalagadi. They are long legged eagles that have adapted to the savannas. They are a light grey with black and white on the tips of their feathers. Their face is red with a yellow beak and their legs tend to be an orange or orange-red.
Their name comes from the pointed feathers on their necks resembling a secretary’s quill pen stuck in the hair. The birds are usually found in pairs walking the ground looking for food. They may also be found in the top of a tree resting but usually go strait to ground when you approach.
This bird eats insects, rodents, lizards, smaller birds and snakes. It is especially adapted as a snake killer as it balls its foot up into a fist and violently pounds the snake to death.
Secretary birds stand tall at nearly 5 feet (1.5 meters) and have a large wingspan of 7 feet (2 meters).

Honey Badgers are among some of the most interesting carnivores you may see. They are busy creatures constantly searching for food. They are found in semi-deserts as well as savannas and forests all over Africa. They are strong creatures with very thick, loose skin. They have a set of sharp teeth with powerful jaws. If attacked they can quickly turn on their attacker and bit due to the looseness of their skin. The Honey Badger covers quite a distance each day (around 20miles/ 35 km) looking and digging for food. It is an avid digger and likes to eat larvae and honey. It will also find an easy meal out of snakes that apparently are not threat.
Height: 9-11 inches (22-28 cm)
Weight: 18-25 lbs (8-16 kg)

There are two dune roads in the park that connect the Nossob and Aoub River roads. The dunes are the classic rolling piles of orange sand with very little vegetation. There are not many large animals to be found out here away from water but you may find the kori bustard, black bustard, redcrested korhaan, as well as the occasional black back jackal and gemsbok. Be on the look out for cheetah as they have been spotted sitting on a high spot looking out over the dunes. The northern dune road is the longest at 55 km and the southern road is 35 km.