Read 5 traveller reviews of Twee Rivieren Rest Camp

Twee Rivieren Rest Camp stands at the southern entrance to the Kgalagadi National Park and is the administration centre for the park. It is usually your first stop within this super park and has a lot to offer keen travellers and families alike.

For a map of Twee Rivieren Restcamp and the other camps in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park; see our Map of the Kgalagadi.


Twee Rivieren Rest Camp, like other rest camps, is modest, but unlike Nossob and Mata Mata rest camps, Twee Rivieren has a small restaurant, the best stocked shop in the park and also a family sized, horse-shoe shaped pool. These amenities make quite a big difference to the comfort of this otherwise fairly simple camp.

While many visitors just camp here, there are four different types of family cottages or chalets available – the sizes and number of beds in each varies. All provide plain, no frills accommodation – although the chalets here are substantially less basic than those at Nossob or Mata Mata. All are only available on a self-catering basis, although here you can buy meals at the restaurant if you wish.

All the chalets at Twee Rivieren are constructed out of stone and thatch and are pretty simple in terms of décor and furnishings. They have a kitchenette with a fridge and two hobs to cook on and have a good supply of kitchen utensils and cutlery. All units have an en suite bathroom, with WC and shower, and towels are provided. Air-conditioning is standard for those hot summer evenings, and extra blankets are provided for when it is cold during winter.

There is a small patio in front of each chalet where you will find tables and chairs and BBQ facilities so that you can cook al fresco.

Twee Rivieren Restcamp is the obvious place to start your exploration of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, and many people will spent their first and last nights in the park here. It is perfect for families and for those who want the more rustic safari experience, but who also like the added benefit of a restaurant.

While the park itself is home to an array of wildlife and spectacular scenery, it has relatively few visitors, due in part to its location, making it an ideal spot for game viewing. Renowned for its cheetah population, wildebeest and the mischievous meerkat also take advantage of the large 38,000km² park. Springbok, gemsbok and red hartebeest also thrive there, which make it an ideal hunting ground for lion, which are often spotted on game drives.

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 31 rooms

Season: Open Year Round

Ideal length of stay: The Kgalagadi National Park cannot be fully appreciated in a short stay. To avoid disappointment, a stay of at least four nights is recommended (and preferably 5-7 nights), split between Twee Rivieren, Nossob or Mata Mata. Or perhaps one of the new wilderness camps: Kalahari Tented Camp, Grootkolk, Gharagab, Bitterpan, Urikaruus or Kielie Krankie.

Central facilities: There is a small restaurant at Twee Rivieren and also a small shop where basic supplies and fire wood can be bought. It also has a few souvenirs, clothes and books on the areas, for sale. There is a petrol station here.

Geographics

Location: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, The Cape

Directions: Twee Rivieren is 250km from Upington. After leaving Upington you head north along the R360. At present the last 60km is on a gravel road, however this road is in the process of being tarmaced; it is due to be finished in 2009.

Accessible by: Self-drive

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Room Only

Food quality: The small but pleasant restaurant here offers a standard menu which is good value for money. The food quality is pretty good but don't expect haute-cuisine! The menu offers starters from between R25 – R30; main courses on offer include steaks a (R80), lamb chops (R75), kudu steaks (R95), schnitzels (R65) – all come with two types of vegetables and chips or jacket potatoes. Puddings range from (R20 – R30). On our last visit, the food in the restaurant was fairly tasty. The chicken schnitzel with cheese sauce was well cooked, and the 'hot mud' pudding was an indulgent way to finish. You need to reserve a table in advance at the reception.

Dining style: Inidividual Tables

Dining locations: Indoor Dining

Drinks included: No drinks included

Special interests

Family holidays: Twee Rivieren Rest Camp is a great restcamp based within the Kgalagadi park. While many safaris have age restrictions for children, a self-drive safari trip here works well for families. The accommodation is not elaborate, but offers both self-catering options and a reasonable restaurant. There's also a swimming pool. Twee Rivieren is a good choice for families. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for family holidays in The Cape

Birdwatching: 264 species of bird can be sighted in the Kgalagadi - some of these are migrant birds as the conditions here can be pretty harsh. Two thirds of southern African raptor species can be found in the park along with smaller species such as lilac-breasted rollers, crimson-breasted shrikes and African hoopoe. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in The Cape

Photographic: The Kgalagadi offers the opportunity to photograph a good number of animals that wander this fossil desert region including lion, cheetah and the endearing meerkat. There is also pretty good landscape photography. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for photographic in The Cape

Wildlife: The Kgalagadi gets relatively few visitors, making it perfect for those who want to avoid the masses. Springbok, gemsbok, blue wildebeest, eland and red hartebeest can be found here, whilst meerkats, giraffe, leopards, and black-maned lions are also regular sights. This is also one of the best parks in Africa for cheetah. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife in The Cape

Children

Attitude towards children: Children are welcome

Age restrictions: None

Generally recommended for children: Yes

Central communications

Power supply: Mains Electricity

Communications: There is a central phone and fax in the offices here. There is mobile reception in camp.

Health & safety

Medical care: Nearest doctors surgery is in Upington.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Fire safety: There is a fire extinguisher in each room

Extras

Disabled access: On Request

Laundry facilities: There is a Laundromat where you can do your own washing.

Money: There is a cash point here.

Accepted payment: They accept cash (South African Rand), Visa, Mastercard and Amex.

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