Tuesday 16 October 2018

Namibia: Kalahari Game Lodge update | Калахари Гейм Лодж Намибия

#Namibia #KalahariGameLodge #KgalagadiTransfrontierPark #MataMata #Botswana #КалахариГеймЛодж #Намибия

Kalahari Game Lodge is a luxury private game farm situated only 18 km from the Mata Mata border gate, entry to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on the south-eastern border of Namibia. It is an oasis surrounded by red dunes and home to the free-roaming Kalahari lion.
Kalahari Game Lodge main buildings:

• Shaded parking bays - for five vehicles.
• Reception – Used mainly for check-out, booking office space and accessing GPS signals of collared lions. Small curio shop inside.
• Restaurant – Seating limited to 16 pax maximum. Pre-bookings required. The restaurant offers breakfast (small buffet with hot orders that is
included in chalet accommodation price), Lunch (one-course set menu) and Dinner (three-course set menu). Campers can only be
accommodated if there is space and enquiries to be made upon check-in as no meal pre-bookings from campers can be made. In winter the
fire place is lit during breakfast and dinner service as there is only ceiling fans and no air conditioning available at the main lodge buildings.
• Bar/Lounge area – Guests are checked-in at the bar area. Here they receive a welcome drink and complete our electronic guest sign in form. A
picture is taken of one identification (ID, passport or drivers licence) and signatures of all parties in the group is required. A short introduction
to the lodge follows and guests are handed room keys and directed to their chalets. No porters are available to carry luggage as guest can park
their vehicles at the chalets. During winter time the fire place is lit in the evenings in the Lounge area.
• Swimming pool – Umbrellas, tanning beds and swimming towels are provided.
LUXURY CHALET ACCOMMODATION

There are 8 luxury chalets (size 38 sq m each) clustered in groups of two right next to each other. Two clusters each on both sides of the lodge.
Chalets are additionally equipped with ceiling fan, hair dryer, safe and aircon. Tree shaded parking is available next to chalets.
All chalets have a small patio. Only Gemsbok A&B does not have direct riverbed views.
Walkways lead to all chalets from the main buildings and are lighted with solar lights.
En-suite bathrooms have a shower, toilet and wash basin. Amenities are supplied. Electric geysers with Solar panel backup when temperature drops or during power outage.
All chalets have twin ? beds that are covered with a mosquito net. Linen and towels are provided.
All the chalets are of the same layout with each its own individual decor style.
Luggage racks and hangers are provided and a laundry facility is available.
Kitchenette and seating area with under - counter bar fridge with small minibar, washbasin and tea/coffee making facilities Each cluster of chalets share a communal boma area. Guest can make a fire to relax
around or prepare their own meals (Not fully self-catering own equipment needs to be brought along.)
Camping at Kalahari Game Lodge:

Campsites are named and numbered and set out about 100m apart from each other starting at no 1 closets to lodge to no 6 the furthest: names are 1-Leeu, 2-Luiperd, 3-Aardwolf, 4-Rooikat, 5-Jakkals, 6-Vlakvark (Camp 3&4 are closer together for larger groups). NO ELECTRICITY IN CAMPSITE.
Each campsite has a canvas roof covered structure with a cement floor with a view across the Auob river bed into the dunes. Lighted by solar light (Average duration 3-4 hours – campers are advised to also bring there own additional lighting).
Camel Thorn and Precopis trees provide ample shade and the space allows for trailers, campers, caravans and rooftop tents.
Washing up and braai area are also provided for each campsite. Wood and ice is sold at the lodge.
Although campsites have enough space 4 pax maximum is advised. Especially during winter for hot water purposes.
Each campsite has its own shower, flushing toilet and basin. Hot and cold water provided by Solar geyser.
(Fire stoked donkeys in winter months).
Campers may use lodge facilities, partake in activities and eat at restaurant- all depends on availability (no
meal pre-bookings are accepted, enquiries at check-in only).
ACTIVITIES PROVIDED

Lion Tracking – This activity takes place in the lion enclosure, a 24 000 ha electrified fenced area on the lodge.
An open game viewing vehicle is used with a seating of 9 pax. Four of our free-roaming Kalahari lions are collared and a sighting can be guaranteed (if all GPS signals are in working order). Bumpy off-road driving takes place through bushes and over dunes and is not advisable for persons with back problems or who are pregnant. During the months of September-February only morning drives are done as the afternoons are extremely hot and the lions are hiding under the bushes for shade and are difficult to locate and take pictures of. Children (7-12) are allowed on a lion tracking if accompanied by a parent. Soft drinks and water is provided with the addition of coffee in winter. No toilet facilities are available on the drive and only bush stops are made.
Departure: 07:00 or 14:00 (Winter times may differ). Duration about 3-5 hours (each drive varies) – Minimum of 2 pax, subject to availability.
Sundowner Drive

Guests are taken out on an open game viewing vehicle that can seat 9 pax on a short nature drive in the lodge camp. The sunset is viewed from the look out deck in front of the lodge where refreshments (soft drinks, water, beer, wine) and light snacks are provided.
Departure 17:00 (winter times may differ). Duration 1,5-2 hours - minimum 2 pax, subject to availability.
Scenic Drive

Guests are taken out on an open game viewing vehicle that can seat 9 pax on a nature &
scenery drive inside the lion enclosure. This is drive does not guarantee sightings of the lions but it is a possibility. General animal sightings includes but are not limited to – Red Hartebeest, Blue Wildebeest, Springbok, Steenbok, Oryx, Eland, Giraffe, Suricate, Squirrels, Ostrich and a wide variety of bird species.
Departure at 07:00 or 14:00 (Winter times may differ). Duration 2-3 hours – minimum 2 pax, subject to availability.
Night Drive

Guests are taken out on an open game viewing vehicle that can seat 9 pax on a night nature drive inside the lodge camp. This is drive focuses on the smaller night animals that can be seen for e.g. Nightjar, Bat-eared fox, Springhare and all the other plains game and birds also active at night. Rare sightings could also include Aardvark and Pangolin. Blankets are provided in winter.
Departure: after guests had dinner Duration: 1-2 Hours – minimum 2 pax, subject to availability.
Dune Braai - Guests are taken out to a dune inside the lodge camp where they have a three course dinner served with the main course prepared on the braai. A bottle of wine is included.
Departure: 16:00 Duration: +/-3 Hours – minimum 2 pax and maximum 4 pax, to enquire at check-in as this is weather dependant and subject to availability. (In winter this is done for lunchtime only).

4x4 Self Drive - Guests are welcome to drive on the trails inside the lodge camp only at no charge. Tyre pressure to be reduced to at least 1,2 bar as there will be sandy parts to cross. No driving inside the lion enclosure is allowed as this is with guided tours only.
Self-guided walking– Guests can walk anywhere in the lodge camp (no set out trials) as no dangerous predators are present here. Snakes and scorpions however are around.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – As we are situated only 18 km from the Mata-Mata border gate entering the KTP park guest can and are allowed to do day trips here. A day fee per person is payable in South African rand only in cash or card facility provided (not always in working order) – cost depends on nationality. Passports are required although no customs clearance are done on the SA side. There is a small shop with the basic provisions at the South African entrance gate and a fuel station (that also accepts debit and credit cards) Gate opening times are 08:00-16:00. An alternative option is to book a
morning trip with a SANpark guide contact and details for enquiries about a trip and relevant costs involved can be made to: Mata Mata Park at Tel: 0027 (0) 545610907 or Park Head Guide at Twee Rivieren.

GENERAL INFORMATION
o Water -Our water is sourced directly from boreholes on the farm. The water is safe to drink but salty and not very tasty so we do provide the same water filtered through our filtering system and bottled water is available for purchase from the mini-bars in each chalet and at the lodge bar.
o Electricity - Our power is supplied by Nampower and operates 24hrs. A generator is located close to the chalets as back up during power outages, which usually occurs during cloudy or rainy weather.
Kindly note that the generator is switched off at night after the last guests have left the dining or bar area. We have no power available in our campsites and campers are welcome to charge any electronic devices at the lodge main building. Guests are advised to bring their own torches.
o Reception/Wi-Fi – No Cell phone reception is available at the lodge. Guests can make use of our free Wi-Fi in the designated area or make use of the landline at an additional charge.
o Time Zone - Namibia operates on Standard time GMT/UTC + 1(the same as South Africa and Botswana). As of 1 April 2018 Daylight saving time GMT/UTC + 2 will not apply to Namibia and Standard Time will be in place all year round.
o Guide Room - Should the lodge be fully booked the guide accompanying guests will be
accommodated in our Single guide room. If there is more than one guide with a fully booked lodge camping is advised or alternative accommodation at neighbouring establishments.

Check-In & Check-Out
Check-in time is at 14:00, if the chalet is ready earlier guests are welcome to
occupy the chalet upon arrival. Check-out time is at 10:00, if the guest are doing an activity on the day of departure we kindly request that the chalet be vacated prior to leaving on the activity to enable us to get the chalet ready for new arrivals. Guests are welcome to leave their vehicle in the reception parking area until their return.
o Payment – Cash in currency South African Rand or Namibian Dollar only is accepted. Credit card facility is available for Master and Visa Cards.
o Families – No family units are available and children under the age of 12 sharing with their parents are accommodated on bedrolls only (2 pax maximum additional per chalet). No baby cribs are available.
Children over the age of 12 are required to book into their own chalet at normal rates.
o Pets – Although we are animal lovers unfortunately no pets are allowed with the exception of assistance dogs as we feel it is unfair on other guests, our staff, the pets themselves as well as the safety of the game roaming around the lodge camp.
o Insects/Reptiles – As this is a bush area we do have snakes and scorpions so guests should watch where they step and shake out any items of clothing that has been on the floor. Mosquitoes are present but we are a malaria free area and mosquito nets and mosquito repellent are provided in the chalets.

Weather
The Kalahari has very high temperatures during September-May up to 45?C with not much lowering of temperatures during the night. In turn the months June-August can become extremely cold with temperatures reaching -9?C and lower at night and early mornings with only a minimal raise in temperature during the day. It is advisable that clients prepare for both these temperatures by packing clothing accordingly.
o Wheelchair accessibility – KGL is not wheelchair accessible. There are sandy paths, steps to all entrances and bathrooms are not big enough to provide this service.
NB: Please note no travel is allowed through the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park crossing into another country without a required 2 night stay inside the park.
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