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Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp

Twee Rivieren Rest Camp: Our full report

Twee Rivieren Rest Camp stands at the southern entrance to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and doubles as ...

... its administration centre; it's often your first and/or last stop within this super park. Twee Rivieren is the largest camp in the park with the best amenities; in contrast to many privately-owned safari lodges, this feels like a small village, complete with a park's office, a fuel station, a shop, a restaurant and plenty of small chalets and bungalows spread around.

In style, Twee Rivieren is like Nossob and Mata Mata, the park's other main rest camps; it differs in scale (it's larger) and has more extensive facilities. It has a small restaurant, the best-stocked shop in the park – with basic supplies, souvenirs and firewood – and a family-sized, horseshoe-shaped pool. These amenities, together with a fuel station, make quite a big difference to the comfort of this otherwise fairly simple camp.

While many visitors come with their own tents to camp at Twee Rivieren, there are four different types of chalet. The size and the number of beds in each vary, but all provide plain, no-frills accommodation. That said, the chalets here are substantially less basic than their counterparts at Nossob
and Mata Mata. Most are constructed of stone and thatch, and have a small patio with tables, chairs and barbecue facilities. Inside, there's a kitchenette with a fridge, two hobs and a good supply of kitchen utensils and cutlery, plus an en-suite bathroom, with toilet and shower; bedding and towels are provided. Air conditioning is standard, ideal for those hot summer evenings, and extra blankets are provided for the winter months.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has relatively few visitors, due in part to its isolated location. It's been designed with self-drive visitors in mind, and works best for those who will put in lots of time out in the park, either driving and just sitting in the vehicle observing – as the animals are seldom as obvious as they are, say, at waterholes in Etosha. Renowned for its cheetah population, the 38,000km² park is also home to blue wildebeest and the mischievous meerkat. Springbok, gemsbok and red hartebeest thrive here, too – as do lion.


Our view

Given that the majority of visitors approach the park from Upington, Twee Rivieren Rest Camp is often the first and/or last stop within the park. If your arrival times are uncertain or if you need to guarantee an early departure, then such a stop here is probably a necessity. It is quite large and doesn't feel exclusive – but makes a good springboard for a safari deeper into the park. It's also the only Kgalagadi rest camps which has a restaurant – which is very useful if you don't want the hassle of cooking; just make sure you check the opening time – and book a table ahead if possible. So this isn't our favorite camp in Africa, it usually functions well and is fine for few nights book-ending a deeper exploration of the Kgalagadi.

Tracy Lederer

Tracy Lederer

Country manager: South Africa

Geographics

Location
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa
Ideal length of stay
You are unlikely to really appreciated Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on a short stay, so we recommend at least four nights in the park, and preferably five to seven. Include Twee Rivieren, at least at the start, and then venture to Nossob or Mata Mata, and perhaps one or two of the wilderness camps: Kalahari Tented Camp, Grootkolk, Gharagab, Bitterpan, Urikaruus or Kielie Krankie.
Directions
Twee Rivieren is 250km north of Upington along the R360.
Accessible by
Self-drive

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Room Only
Food quality
The small but pleasant restaurant at Twee Rivieren offers a standard menu that is good value for money – but don't expect haute cuisine! Tables need to be reserved in advance at the shop.

When we visited in May 2011, we tried the chicken schnitzel with cheese sauce (R65), which was cooked well. Other main courses, served with two vegetables and chips or jacket potatoes, include steaks (R80), lamb chops (R75) and kudu steaks (R95). Starters are priced at around R25–30; and puddings from R20 to R30.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor Dining
Drinks included
No drinks are included

Special interests

Family holidays
The simple Twee Rivieren Rest Camp is set right at the southern entrance to the superb Kgalagadi Transfrontier and works well for self-drive family safari holidays in South Africa. The camp offers both self-catering facilities and a restaurant, as well as a pool.
See ideas for Family holidays in South Africa
Birdwatching
Visit Kgalagadi on your South Africa birdwatching break to see over 250 species of bird, and two-thirds of Southern African raptor species. More colourful varieties include lilac-breasted rollers, crimson-breasted shrikes and the African hoopoe.
See ideas for Birdwatching in South Africa
Photography holidays
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 the potential for some pretty good landscape photography.
See ideas for Photography holidays in South Africa
Wildlife safaris
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 regularly seen.
See ideas for Wildlife safaris in South Africa

Children

Attitude towards children
Children are welcome
Property’s age restrictions
None
Generally recommended for children
Yes

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Twee Rivieren

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Oryx

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Giraffe

67% success

Lion

57% success

Cheetah

38% success

Meerkat

33% success

Aardvark

0% success

Brown Hyena

0% success

Eland

0% success

Leopard

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Spotted Hyena

0% success

Wild dog

0% success

Communications

Communications
There is a central phone and fax in the offices at Twee Rivieren, and cellphone reception in camp.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
No
Medical care
The nearest doctor's surgery is in Upington.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Fire safety
There is a fire extinguisher in each room.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
There is a launderette where you can do your own washing.
Money
There is an ATM at Twee Rivieren, but no electronic safe to store valuables. No currency exchange is possible.
Accepted payment on location
Twee Rivieren accepts cash in South African rand, as well as Visa, MasterCard and Amex cards.

Other lodges in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Kalahari Tented Camp

Kalahari Tented Camp

Kalahari Tented Camp, with self-catering accommodation, is an unusual and well positioned base for exploration of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.


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Mata Mata Rest Camp

Mata Mata Rest Camp

On the western border of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Mata Mata Restcamp offers camping and simple self-catering chalets, great for adventurous travellers on self-drive explorations of this park.


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Ta Shebube Rooiputs

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One of just three private lodges in the Kgalagadi, Ta Shebube Rooiputs offers a well-appointed base from where you can explore this delightful National Park.


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Nossob Rest Camp

Nossob Rest Camp

A basic but very well positioned rest camp within the heart of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Simple self-catering accommodation is available as well as camping options


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Gharagab Wilderness Camp

Gharagab Camp

Gharagab Wilderness Camp is located in a remote corner of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which is wonderful if you like wilderness areas. However, access takes time - so it's not the best base for exploring the park.


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Bitterpan Wilderness Camp

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Grootkolk Wilderness Camp

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!Xaus Lodge

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!Xaus Lodge mixes guided wildlife safaris with very good community interactions, suiting those who prefer not to drive and cater for themselves.


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Urikaruus Wilderness Camp

Urikaruus Camp

Urikaruus is one of the most popular wilderness camps in the Kgalagadi National Park with lovely riverside cabins set high up on stilts overlooking the Auob riverbed.


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Ta Shebube Polentswa

Ta Shebube Polentswa

Although accessed via South Africa, Ta Shebube Polentswa is situated just across the border, in a private concession on the Botswana side of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park


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Kielie Krankie Wilderness Camp

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Molopo Kalahari Lodge

Molopo Lodge

Less than an hours' drive from the Kgalagadi, this makes a good base near to the park if you're arriving late in the afternoon.


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The Motse at Tswalu

The Motse at Tswalu

Tswalu Motse is a smart lodge located in the Tswalu Game Reserve, the largest private reserve in South Africa.


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