(Signing the visitors' book: Union's End, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park)

We set out to drive all the way to Union’s End – the northernmost point of the old Union of South Africa and the current boundary point between the Republic of South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. A very remote spot and also the northernmost point of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. There we sign the visitors’ book and in the process discover the names of the soldiers we met at Lejers Draii: “passed through this point [on the way] to Tshabong, Thanks to Mother Nature” [signed] Capt. Ngoma; Maj. Marius DeBruin; Pvt. Rouncivell; Pvt. Modome; Pvt. Rammala Mociomoti. We are very pleased to add our names to theirs and send thanks in the same direction too.

The scattered rain showers have greened sections of the veldt and the grazers have moved to these.

(Greened veldt: Red Hartebeeste gather in the shade -- road to Union's End)

(Intense sun/sought after shade: Gemsbok on the road to Union's End)

A lone male wildebeest holds his ground next to the road – shaking his horns and stamping the ground in warning.

(Shaking horns/Standing ground: Blue Wildebeeste on the road to Union's End)

The Grootkolk Camp looks very inviting: the tented facility looking like it was just constructed and in a well placed setting. More vehicles are on the road – in previous days we had seen almost none.

Visited the small but informative nature museum at Nossop. While there a rude tourist comes in to complain about his chalet to the young female park ranger: “You have done a very bad thing… how do you expect me to sleep? My room is 41 degrees [Celsius]… there are no screens on the windows [true so far in all of the places we have stayed]. I was not informed that the room lacked air conditioning.”

("Tourist hardship": chalet at Nossob Camp, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park -- the interior was really nice too)

Very persistent and very much on the ‘let me speak to the person-in-charge’ track. Not aware of how it all turned out but the routine we followed was to go on a game drive from 6 to 9 AM leaving the chalet windows open; close the casement windows by 10 AM leaving the transoms open for ventilation and the ceiling fan running; keep the curtains closed all day; go on another game drive; at 5 or 6 PM open the windows (peak afternoon temperatures were about 41 degrees C); close windows before retiring because of mosquitoes but leave transoms open and spray some “Doom” around the room; hope the fan does not suffer a power cut and take the daily shower at night.

We pack and load the truck that night for a morning departure – we are scheduled to drive all the way to Keetmanshoop.

(Red Hartebeeste -- road to Union's End, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park)

Labels: Lejers Draii, Nossob Camp, Rude Tourist(s), Union's End

¶ 11:48 AM 0 Comments

Fatigued. Spent some time cooking a good breakfast, arranging our equipment, and planning. Eventually set out in the direction of Union’s End but stopped short determined not to be late getting back to Nossob.

(Blue wildebeeste -- road from Nossob Camp to Union's End, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park)

Ran into an army patrol at Lejers Draii (later we confirmed that it was the Botswana Defense Force) – very friendly after they hailed us to approach them. Passed no other vehicles and realized if we broke down we would have to be entirely self-sufficient.

(A welcome chance to get out of the truck (I should say bakkie): one of the Park designated "Get-Out Points" -- road from Nossob Camp to Union's End, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park)

(Some shelter from the intense rays of the sun at the same Get-Out Point: visitors are required to stay in their vehicles except at designated spots)

(Will takes advantage of the break and captures the "little Kalahari" with his Nikon D50)

(The little Kalahari captured: One of the species of Agama lizards)

As we had not put a significant amount of water in the truck it was resolved not to repeat that error again. The Hilux proved to be 100 percent mechanically reliable throughout the trip however.

(Ostriches -- road from Nossob Camp to Union's End, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park)

The game spotting highlight was a pool of water with what must have been a birder’s grand slam: two types of vultures; kites; eagles; falcons; secretary birds; and a kori bustard. Put a kori bustard on the road to flight.

(Grand slam: Secretary birds at the pool of water (really a large puddle) next to the road from Nossob Camp to Union's End)

(Lappet-faced vulture (R) with White-backed vulture (?) overlooking the pool of water -- road to Union's End)

The amount of animal life here is astounding – especially compared to the Mojave Desert. Drove back having apparently mastered Trevor Knutsen’s silent game drive “approach” (another skill he demonstrated to us): surprised two gemsbok standing one meter from the edge of the road. It is possible to approach large game here to within 2 to 3 meters – much closer than at Prof’s lodge.

Labels: Lejers Draii, Nossob Camp, Union's End

¶ 2:29 PM 0 Comments