Tag Archives: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Crimson-breasted Shrike (Laniarius atrococcineus)

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The Crimson-breasted Shrike (Laniarius atrococcineus) or the Crimson-breasted Gonolek, (‘gonolek’ – supposedly imitative of its call), is a southern African bird. The species is closely related to two other bushshrikes, the yellow-crowned gonolek (Laniarius barbarus) and the black-headed gonolek (Laniarius erythrogaster) of East Africa.

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The Crimson-breasted Shrike occurs in a broad swathe from southern Angola to the Free State province in South Africa. Its preferred habitat is drier thornbush areas, in thickets and riparian scrub. It makes small seasonal migrations, preferring lower altitudes during cold periods.  The brilliant flash of crimson gave this little guy away in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

crim breast shrike

LEARN MORE ABOUT CRIMSON-BREASTED SHRIKES

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Biodiversity Explorer

VIDEOS

This guy really wants to eat that grasshopper!

An even braver bird takes on a scorpion!

 

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – Night Safari Experience Pictorial

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A night safari in any South African game park is a magical experience and should not be missed.  Most of the Sanparks rest camps will have them so be sure you book one as soon as you arrive at reception.  You are not allowed in the park in your own vehicle after sunset, the gates will close at 6pm-ish and you could be fined if you are late.

The safari vehicles are large and comfortable and your guide will be a ranger who is very familiar with the park and knows what all the animals and birds are.

Here’s a few pics from our night safari at Mata-Mata Rest Camp.  The sunsets are unreal!  Sorry I didn’t get more but it’s hard to focus in the dark although they will shine torches on any animal found.

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Sociable Weaver (Philetairus socius)

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The Sociable Weaver (Philetairus socius), also commonly known as the common social weaver, common social-weaver, and social weaver,  is a species of bird in the Passeridae family endemic to Southern Africa.  It is monotypic within the genus Philetairus.  They build large compound community nests, a rarity among birds. These nests are perhaps the most spectacular structure built by any bird.

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It is found in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana but their range is centered within the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.  They are literally everywhere in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.  Be careful when you are driving as they love to dart across roads in front of cars – some kind of strange kamikaze game maybe?

Soc weav

LEARN MORE ABOUT SOCIABLE WEAVERS

Wikipedia

Birdlife

Audubon

VIDEOS

Some huge nests here!

David Attenborough’s doco on Sociable Weavers.

 

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – Daytime Safari Experience Pictorial

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This is doing the Kgalagadi safari the easy way – in our own rented sedan car just cruising down the main road which had TONS of wildlife!  Sit back, relax – it was a bumpier ride for us than it will be for you!

BIRDS

Secretary birds, Sociable Weavers, Bee-eaters, raptors & more!

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MAMMALS

Lions, Wildebeest, Antelopes and even an oryx!

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KGALAGADI MUSEUM

About halfway between Twee Rivieren & Mata-MataIMG_0943 IMG_0944 IMG_0945

Planning A Visit To Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

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If you have already been to Kruger and think you know everything about visiting South African game parks, think again!   Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park couldn’t be more different!  It’s located in a very remote part  of South Africa and it takes a couple days to get here if you want to enjoy the trip and not rush it.

Make note of what time the gates open and get in line as soon as possible.  We drove up early from Moloko Kalahari Lodge and were 1st in line.

Foreigners pay a conservation fee of R280 per adult, per day.

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Coming from South Africa (as opposed to Botswana or Namibia), you enter the park at Twee Rivieren.  There is a good network of roads but some of them are 4×4 access only so make sure when you choose a rest camp you choose one that you can get to!

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We were limited by budget, could only afford the cheapest automatic sedan car, but we still wanted to get as remote as possible so Mata-Mata Rest Camp was the perfect choice.  It’s deep enough in the park and small enough to make it feel more like wilderness.  It’s also very small and fills up fast so best to book it online as soon as the dates become available.  If you have a 4×4 and want to be even more remote, there are several excellent rest camps but once again, you should book as far in advance as possible.

Kgalagadi MataMata

Plan on bringing your food with you.  They do have a small store but no restaurant so you should bring either something to BBQ or sandwiches and drinks for your stay in the park.  The nearest large city with good shopping is Uppington.