Kgalagadi South Africa

By Fanie Heymans | Published October 13, 2015

Kgalagadi South Africa it is one of the most popular places in South Africa too experience wildlife especially predators, is the Kgalagadi, South Africa. Every aspiring wildlife photographer has to visit the Kgalagadi, and it should definitely be on their “to do” list. Kalahari Black-mane Lions, Leopard, Cheetah, Brown Hyena, Spotted Hyena, Honey Badgers, Meerkat, African wild cats, and raptor species, including the majestic Martial and Tawny Eagles and the famous Bateleur Eagles are some of the highlights to look out for.

Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography This Bateleur coming in for a landing at a waterhole in the Kgalagadi, South Africa. The Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) eagle is the most famous of the snake eagles.

Here are a few images of two leopards fighting.  It was not the “right time of day”,  surely not the best light or the best images, but  wow, what an experience!

Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography This male and female Leopard fighting in the Mata Mata riverbed in. Just a pity that the picture was taken directly into the sun. Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography This male and female Leopard fighting in the Mata Mata riverbed in. Just a pity that the picture was taken directly into the sun. Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography This male and female Leopard fighting in the Mata Mata riverbed in. Just a pity that the picture was taken directly into the sun. Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography This male and female Leopard fighting in the Mata Mata riverbed in. Just a pity that the picture was taken directly into the sun.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a large National wildlife game reserve and conservation area in Southern Africa. The park straddles the border between South Africa and Botswana and comprises two adjoining national parks: Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa and the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana. The total area of the park is 38,000 square kilometres (15,000 sq. mi). Approximately three-quarters of the park is situated in Botswana and one-quarter in South Africa. Kgalagadi means place of thirst.

Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography Sunset at Mata Mata Campsite South Africa Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography The Gemsbok (Oryx gazella) is a large antelope in the Oryx genus. It is native to the dry arid regions of Southern Africa. This photo was taken in the Kgalagadi on one late afternoon. The Gemsbok finished drinking water at the waterhole and was on their way back over the sand dunes.

This is our most favourite place for wildlife photography, due to the vastness of the area and the result of uncluttered photographs. There are three main camps, Twee Rivieren, Mata-Mata and Nossob and many wilderness camps. The main Camps are well equipped with campsites, chalets and have very good ablution facilities. There are several well-spaced waterholes along the routes in the Nossob and Auob river beds. Some of the waterholes have sweet water and a lot have salty water. Drive slowly and be patient. The best time for photography is early mornings and late afternoons, when the light is perfect for photography. The red dunes and the dusty sunsets are really something.

Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography Male Lions Fighting with a teenager. Learning him a lesson Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography These two Black-Backed Jackals were fighting over a dead Eland. The one eventually let the winner have all the best parts first before he could start eating.

In the Botswana side, there are a few popular wilderness campsites as well. Rooiputs, Polentswa, Mabuasehube, are but a few. There are no fences, and the predators and other animals visit the campsites on a daily basis. This may cause much havoc around camp, especially if you want to setup or pack up camp, and there are several lions making them selves at home in the campsite.

Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography Brown Hyena and Jackal Fight. Brown Hyena chasing the Jackal away from the kill. Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography This Big African Male Lion (Panthera Leo) created a lot of havoc chasing all the teenagers around while he was trying to mate with a female that did not want to give in to his mating escapades.

A good tip for all the aspiring photographers out there: do not charge up and down the river bed from one waterhole to the other, searching for big game like the lion, leopard or cheetah. Lions are mainly nocturnal, can sleep up to 20 hours a day and are therefore not good photographic models. Have a look at the smaller animals around you as well. You would be surprised at all the other photographic opportunities in this park, beside the big predators.

Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography Elephant Shrew. Waterhole in Nossob river, at Kgalagadi South Africa Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography Pearl Spotted Owl. Taken at Mata Mata, rest camp in Kgalagadi South Africa. The Smallest Owl in South Africa.Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography The Ground Agama (Agama aculeata) The Ground Agama is a species of lizard from the Agamidae family, found in most of sub-Saharan Africa. Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography Tiger Snake. Taken at Mabuasehube, Kgalagadi, Botswana Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography Water tap at Mabuasehube, Kgalagadi, Botswana, Africa. It is a very dry and rugged terrain. Water is very scarce and were there is water there is life. Took this Wasp picture flat on my stomach in the desert sand Kgalagadi Wildlife Photography Singing Bird. Kgalagadi, South Africa

If you have been to the Kgalagadi recently, then tell us about your experiences in this magical place. Or if you need information about the Kgalagadi, let us know.

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8 Comments

  1. Lizl September 20, 2015 at 8:44 pm #

    The art of wildlife photography perfected in every shot.

    Reply
    • Fanie Heymans September 20, 2015 at 8:59 pm #

      Thanks Lizl. The Kgalagadi is an awesome place. You must visit it one day, and then when you did you will see why everybody gets hooked on it.

      Reply
  2. Debbie Seegers September 20, 2015 at 8:55 pm #

    I love this picture as it captures the authentic meaning of ‘wild’ in many ways,as well as showing who the boss is at that moment!
    As you love the Kgalagadi, so my passion is the Kruger. I enjoy the combination of more water & savannah……trees!!
    I hope my pics will look as good as yours one day!
    Thank you…..

    Reply
    • Helena September 20, 2015 at 9:05 pm #

      A feast for the eye. Well captured. Nature at its best not seen by us everyday. Thanx for the opportunity.

      Reply
      • Fanie Heymans September 20, 2015 at 9:26 pm #

        Dankie Helena. One of the best places for wildlife photography in South Africa. Think I must move closer to the Kgalagadi to visit it more often.

        Reply
    • Fanie Heymans September 20, 2015 at 9:12 pm #

      Hi, Debbie, Thank you for the compliment. There is nothing wrong with your pictures though. There are a few of your pics that I would not mind having as well. You have a good “eye” when comes to spotting animals in nature.

      Reply
  3. Kobus October 6, 2015 at 3:14 pm #

    Have to agree with you on this one Fanie… The Kgalagadi is just an awesome awesome place !! Absolutely my favorite as well. Nothing competes with being kept awake all night with the local lion pride roaring just 50 meters away… or the bateleurs coming in for a drink… or watching a cheetah catching its prey… and then there are the brilliant stars at night…

    Reply
    • Fanie Heymans October 13, 2015 at 12:24 pm #

      Hi Kobus. Were there 6 times already. Definitely not enough. I think I must move closer to this magical place so that I can visit it more often.

      Reply

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