The Kgalagadi is an apt name derived from the Tswana word 'Kgala',
meaning "the great
thirst", or "a waterless place" as the Kalahari desert is covered by
red
sand without any permanent surface water.
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Kalahari
AWOL organises tours from Cape Town that
meander up the harsh but beautiful West Coast, known for its icy blue
seas and excellent seafood. Travel inland over the Cederberg Mountains,
with their ancient rock art, through Namaqualand where you will meet
contemporary Khoisan people and end your trip on a game-viewing safari
among the red dunes and gnarled camelthorn trees of the Kalahari
Desert.
The Kgalagadi National Park
is a vast wilderness and home to lion, hyena, gemsbok, springbok,
bat-eared foxes, pangolins and many other unusual and beautiful
animals. As part of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, with neighbouring
Botswana, this wildlife reserve forms the second largest protected area
in the world. Red sand dunes, sparse vegetation and the dry
riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob have a rich variety of antelope
species that have specially adapted to these harsh environs and are not
dependant on water. The Kalahari lions are majestic beasts, much larger
than their Kruger cousins.
Komani San Bushmen.
Guests have the opportunity to meet members of the Komani San/ Bushmen
clan - the ancient hunter gatherers of Southern Africa. We visit the
home/gallery of the late bushman artist, Vetkat Regopstaan Kruiper to
see his incredible contemporary drawings and painted ostrich eggs.
Part of the experience is staying with the peaceful bushmen community
in their camp, Imbewu, within the Park itself. Days are spent
interacting with the Bushmen, sitting under the camelthorn trees,
talking and learning about their lifestyle and cultural practices and
participating in daily tasks. These may include collecting kalahari
truffles from the dunes, learning how to find them and cook them,
building bomas, collecting fire wood or making ostrich egg shell beads,
mobiles and jewellery out of wood, ostrich egg shell and leather.
Evenings are spent around the camp fire, listening to the wisdom of the
elders, hearing traditional stories, learning about the meanings of the
animals in bushman belief, playing and listening to music and singing
whilst cooking in a traditional way on the fire. In the evenings
everyone falls asleep in several communal bomas or traditional places,
safe from wild animals, but under the stars (unless it rains, in which
case we sleep in grass huts & tents).
In this natural, unspoilt environment everything that is brought in has
to be taken away. Sustainable living and honouring nature are
very important lessons from the Bushmen people, who live so close to
nature.
Please contact us to for a detailed
itinerary to the Kalahari.
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