Advice for 1st time trip to KTP

[Alvin]

Hello, We are regular visitors to Kruger, however this year we've been lucky and are trying KTP for the 1st time. We managed to trade our initial booking in Addo & Mountain Zebra for 7 nights in KTP. 2 nights Twee Riveiren, 3 nights Kalahari Tented Camp and 2 nights back at Twee Riveiren. This will be our first visit to KTP. We have a good 4x4, so bad roads are no problem. Also I'm a keen wildlife photographer. So, I'm looking for advice and tips from experienced visitors to KTP - hot spots for sightings? - recommended routes or loops to drive? - favorite waterholes for sightings? - how's the accommodation? - what's good, and not so good? - recommended supplies to take with? - recommended kit / equipment (photographic and camping outdoor accessories) to take along? Much appreciated. Alvin

[Peter Veitch]

Pity you have that much time in Twee Revieren (not that it is a bad camp but it's right at the gate and there is only one road before it splits off towards Nossop or Mata Mata).

Everyone has a view to favourite waterholes, etc, so I'm not going to comment in that regard.

Supply situation, I believe has improved in the park since our last vist 3 to 4 years ago but I will say pick up fresh water for drinking in Upington on your way up (I see you not stopping over in Augrabies).

With lenses, too long is often too short as most game tends to be up in the dunes or down in the river bed. The place is dusty so keep your equipment well covered.

Hope this helps.

Peter

[Gerrit Laubscher]

So, I'm looking for advice and tips from experienced visitors to KTP - hot spots for sightings? It is a park that can deliver magic when you lease expect it so always stay alert. Don't just "hunt" big stuff because it is in the small detail where a lot of it is hiding sometimes. - recommended routes or loops to drive? You basically just have two main roads with two cross overs between the two. - favorite waterholes for sightings? In 10 trips there I have had magic sightings but never at the same place. The best is to be out when the gates open, take a break during midday (with the animals) and then hit the road again for the afternoon. - how's the accommodation? Cannot talk about this because we always camp. It can be very cold at night and in the early mornings so be prepared. - what's good, and not so good? It is one of those that is what you make of it. Completely different to Kruger and that make it special. - recommended supplies to take with? Enough to drink. The shop in Twee Revieren is better stocked but Mata Mata and Nossob has limited supplies. Nossob is know for it's rooster koek which you can order from the locals to ahve it delivered to your accomodation in the afternoon. - recommended kit / equipment (photographic and camping outdoor accessories) to take along? You will need from macro to landscape to telephoto. Try not to swop lenses too much due to the dust. I always through an old towel over it in the car to help. With the cold of the morning your veiwfinder and front elements can get foggy so don't keep it too warm at night. I normally leave it on the from seat of the car and just cover with something. Cloves for the cold morning. I normally get to the gate about 15 minutes before they open and let the engine run so that the windows can be heated up. Enjoy - Once the Kalahari sand got in under your skin you will not see Kruger a lot.

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[Jan van Biljon]

Alvin,
You asked this just atthe right time. I am leaving on Saturday 2 June for my first visit to KTP so I am going to learn from this as much as you will. I can no longer hide my excitement.
When will you be there? We are staying for 3 June to 15 June and will be in Twee Rivieren, Nossob, Bitterpan, Kieliekrankie and Kalahari Tented camp.

[Alvin]

Hi Jan
Our booking is from 04 July 2012 - so you'll be back by then - pitty.
Please will you let me know how how you trip goes when you back - either by email (alvin.flaum@me.com) or on the forum - please?
I'd really appreciate any advice and info you think may be usefull.

[Alvin]

Hi Gerrit,
We've camped for ten days in Moremi (Botswana Okavango Delta) - and yes - I'd do that again any time befor Kruger - so I'm really thinking too that it will be special.
Thanks for the tips on warming up the vehicle and the towel for covering my kit.

[Alvin]

Hi Peter,
I think we were lucky to get what we have in terms of accomodation?
But I do plan to ask when we get there if we can exchange the last two nights back at Twee Rivieren for one of the camps more internal - even extend the 3 nights in the Kalahari Tented camp instead?

[Jan van Biljon]

Alvin I will definitely talk to you when I get back. Some advice, I also started of with just a booking in Twee Rivieren and Nossob but then hounded Sanparks virtually every day and when there were cancellations I grabbed it. You still have a month before you go so I am hopeful you will be able to make some changes. I suppose you may not find that easy because you are going in season. It is worth a try!

[visagieh]

Alvin, try to get more time out of 2R. If you get place in Nossop, long drive, I will do it for one night, maybe not, and not camping. If you can get space for like 3 nights Nossop, 3 to 4 at Mata Mata or tented, and fit in between what you can. Dont forget about the Botswana side, Rooiputs or Potlenswa, but that is full own gear {H2o and white gold}.
Monitor Sanparks every day, and as a tip, if you find a spot, phone JHB sanparks. They sometimes open at 7am and not 8am. Give you a head start to get that special booking.
As compared to KNP, cant. Nossop and a few others have got 2 ways to go, the rest is all on the same road.
Long lenses and short needed.
Its such a long drive there, try to see the most and maybe a day on the way back at Augrabies. This time of year not much water, just makes long journy home easier spotting something else.
Best, like me in KNP now, relax, all falls into place and as a first timer you will change your mindset.
Enjoy.
Hannes

[Callie Muller]

I agree with the 2R accommodation. Have had incredible sightings on the 1 st 30 km on the Nossob road from 2R. Melkvlei area is a must
Been there in 03/11, 10/11 and 03/12 but more on the Botswana side. Mabua etc. The best photographs I took was at Rooiputs and Polentswa
If you want some good photos stay on the road all day. If you have false teeth take some glue with, it is really bad
Hope to see some of your shots here when you come back

[visagieh]

If you have false teeth take some glue with, it is really bad

Best quote of the day. Callie knows how that road rattles everything loose.

[Callie Muller]

I am getting used to my flickers going on every few minutes on that road. Not mentioning what car I drive otherwise this thread will end up in the 4x4 forum

[Alvin]

by the way.... Anyone have advice / opinion on the best route from JHB to to Twee Rivieren? (Keep in mind we will drive the day before and overnight somewhere close to the park to make the most of 1st day / night in the park). I believe via Upington is all tarred, but 260km (aprox.) longer, and via Van Zylsrus shorter but 170km (aprox.) of gravel road. Which would you take and why? Any suggestions for overnight as close as possible to the park?

[Peter Veitch]

Best quote of the day. Callie knows how that road rattles everything loose.

Which reminds me have spare tie-downs, straps or even toggle clamps for things like jerry can holders (I had one break on our last trip). A roll of duct tape also fixes a lot of things like the indicator lamp on my Hilux which also came adrift in the KTH.

[Alvin]

by the way.... Anyone have advice / opinion on the best route from JHB to to Twee Rivieren? (Keep in mind we will drive the day before and overnight somewhere close to the park to make the most of 1st day / night in the park). I believe via Upington is all tarred, but 260km (aprox.) longer, and via Van Zylsrus shorter but 170km (aprox.) of gravel road. Which would you take and why? Any suggestions for overnight as close as possible to the park?

Thanks Peter
Good advice on the extra tie downs and duct tape

Anyone with knowledge of recent road conditions - Upington or VanZylsrus?

[Jan van Biljon]

I am definitely going via Upington as I am told the Van Zylsrus road is not in a good condition and slows you down. I am also going via Pretoria, Mafikeng, Vryburg, Kuruman etc. The roads thorugh Northwest can be a nightmare and via Mafikeng the road is much better with a less stops.

[Alvin]

Thx Jan
I'll check that route out - I think even from JHB, although longer, will be the better route

[Michael Bosman]

Kieliekrankie is stunning. The road condition can change in a short time, check closer to time but I would not ever miss van Zyls rus hotel ever on my way there, it is a must. On a Sunday you can visit meerkat manor colony, have to book before trip. Last year we travelled 110km/hr on that dirt road. You can also cross border into Botswana and then tar road to 2rivieren and cross back into SA.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Kieliekrankie is stunning. The road condition can change in a short time, check closer to time but I would not ever miss van Zyls rus hotel ever on my way there, it is a must. On a Sunday you can visit meerkat manor colony, have to book before trip. Last year we travelled 110km/hr on that dirt road. You can also cross border into Botswana and then tar road to 2rivieren and cross back into SA.

I've heard about the to-and-fro into Botswana route...seems I'll have to check it out...

[Jaded]

Alvin - KTP is a MAGICAL place. I generally go in summer and camp mostly on the Botswana side when I can get place. 2R is generally busy as a camp being so close to the gate - on the other side of Twee Rivieren is Two Rivers on the Bots side...generally lovely and quiet! July will still be cold in the evenings and early mornings. Take things like hot chocolate / packet soup. Upington route is good - I stay at a delightful place there overnight (PM me if you need more details) then its a quick drive to the gate. Fill up with drinking water in Upington. My favourite area is around Nossob and further up from there. At times Polentswa waterhole is a raptor feast if your are into avian photog - the drive to Mabuasehuba is wonderful. There has been a lot of rain so at the moment there are lots of plants out. ENJOY and look for the small things as well. The small holes near the road as you go over the dune roads are a multitude of different rodents - KTP has a vast list of Rodentia, the most well know is the Brants Whistling rat. If you stop at some of the picnic spots - check the trees as you might spot the elusive white rat that lives in the trunk and fork. If you see a Pale Chanting Goshawk hanging around in a tree - look on the ground in case for a Badger digging. Don't know about winter, but in summer if the wind blows the scorpions come out, no bare feet at night. Special place - enjoy.