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KGALAKGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK

BOTSWANA
LOCALE

Area (SqKm):38,000
# Species:191
# Excl Vagrants:191
# Endemics:0
# Near Endemics:1
Species/100 SqKm:0.5
Habitat: Sand dunes, arid scrub, Acacia bush, scattered trees

ABOUT THE BIRDING

The Kgalakgadi Transfrontier Park was formed by international agreement between Botswana and South African and consists of Gemsbok National Park in Botswana plus Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa. The word "kgalakgadi" means place of thirst and is very fitting, as it rains in this region perhaps once per hundred years. Underground water is present and sufficient to support dry Acacia bush and occasional trees. The terrain consists of red dunes and dry riverbeds along with the sparse vegetation. The parks were formed to protect a large population of Gemsbok or Oryx. Other animals present include the abundant Springbok, Hartebeest, Eland, the famous black-maned Kalahari Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Brown Hyena, African Wild Cat, and jackals.

Only 102 species of birds are resident in the park. Another 74 species occur seasonally or nomdically, while some 126 are vagrants. In addition to a variety of widely distributed raptors, some notable birds include Burchell's Sandgrouse, Ashy Tit, Social Weaver, and Violet-eared Waxbill. Notable seasonal birds include Ludwig's Bustard, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Pink-billed Lark, Black-eared Sparrow-Lark, Fairy Flycatcher, and Capped Wheatear.

LOCATION OF SITE

The Kgalakgadi Transfrontier Park is located in extreme southwest Botswana and northwest South Africa. It's usually reached by chartered flight into Tschabong Airstrip. It can also be reached by 4-wheel-drive vehicle, a long drive from Windhoek, Namibia.