Checklists are written, meals are prepped, camera gear is checked (again and again), full of excitement for your long-awaited Kgalagadi trip. Most of the time a trip like this is booked a year in advance creating anticipation. Planning is key when visiting the park, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular, checklists are essential – you can’t afford to forget anything since you’re far from any kind of civilisation.
Preparation is key
Prepare for any kind of weather; this is the best advice for travelling to a remote destination like the Kgalagadi. Whether it’s July or December, pack an extra jacket and a pair of shorts. The weather can take an unexpected turn and you don’t want to be left in the cold or heat! May to August is the coldest, so be sure to pack your beanie, a scarf, warm socks and gloves.
We like the PGYTECH Photography Gloves because you can still use your camera without taking the gloves off. A LensCoat also helps protect your hands from cold equipment. Our warp can be used around your neck in the winter and as some added protection from the sun during summer.
Come summer the Kgalagadi gets scorching hot! The Badger Gear Sun Sleeves are comfortable sleeves that cover and protect your arms from harmful rays. Pro-tip, take damp towels with you to cool off while sitting in a hot car waiting for that picture-perfect moment. SPF is a MUST whether you go during summer or winter, that sun can be unforgiving. Also, never leave your camera gear in the car! The heat can damage your equipment.
Must-have accessories
You want to pack enough camera accessories on a trip like this. Enough batteries and chargers as well as memory cards you can use in rotation. B&W outdoor cases are exceptionally smart, waterproof and rugged so you can rest assured knowing that your expensive gear stays protected from dust, temperatures and accidental bumps or drops.
LensCoats are made of strong, durable, weather-resistant neoprene that protects your gear from damage, dust, bumps and scratches. There are different designs that blend into nature and “hide” your gear while taking photos. Memory cards are so important. You want a card that’s fast enough to capture the action in RAW without missing a shot. Thereafter you want to be able to transfer your images quickly.
We stock a variety of hard drives that supports your digital photography and video editing transfers so that you know your precious moments are backed up on another device just in case you run out of space on your memory cards.
Tips and suggestions
We recommend that you do some research about the camp and routes well in advance to ensure your vehicle is ready and your documents up to date. There are many articles, forums and Facebook pages to assist anyone going on this adventure to help you make the most of it. We hope you enjoy your next Kgalagadi trip and remember to tag us (#odpshutters) in your photos – we enjoy seeing what you get up to. For any further questions or advice, feel free to contact any of our salesmen who will gladly assist with any questions.
Thank you for the informative blog post! I recently just returned from a trip to the Kgalagadi – what a magical place. I took the Kgalagadi Self-Drive book with me and it was a lifesaver. I would definitely recommend it as a must-have for future trips. Already counting down the days till my next visit.
I am so happy that you enjoyed the blog! The Kgalagadi Self-Drive is a fantastic companion on any Kalahari Safari ;) Hope you have a wonderful trip in the future. I’m also counting down the days till I get to go again.