Location
The Rooiputs private concession area is located within the captivating Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on the Botswana side, 25 km north of Two Rivers (Twee Rivieren). Situated off the predator-rich Nossob valley, the lodge is perched along a mature red sand dune, overlooking a busy water hole.
Co-ordinates - S 26o200.85’ – E 20o44’54.64
Area
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is characterised by the red rolling Kgalagadi sand dunes, the Kgalagadi dune bushveld with its scattered salt pans, dune crests dominated by tall dune bushman grass, the arid fossil river environment of the Nossob and Auob River valleys, vast open Acacia savannahs and expansive grassy plains.
The area is malaria free.
Game viewing & Activities
The dry riverbeds show predators and antelopes off at a premium and provide excellent photographic opportunities. Sixty species of mammals have been recorded in the park including the majestic gemsbok, blue wildebeest, springbok, red hartebeest, eland (the world’s largest antelope) and steenbok. Predators are the area’s big attraction and include the black maned Kalahari lion, leopard, brown and spotted hyena, jackal and wildcat. The area is one of Africa’s best parks for the cheetah, which thrive by hunting in its fossil river valleys and the surrounding Kgalagadi dunes.
Eighty well established water holes along the Auob and Nossob Rivers attract large numbers of desert plains game and predators and their proximity to the game drive roads make them an ideal close-up vantage point for photographers.
The climate is typical for an arid area.
During summer between October to April, average temperatures can go beyond 40°C. Although this is the rainy season, rainfall is quite scarce, often accompanied by dramatic thunderstorms.
During winter between May and August the highest day temperatures are at a comfortable 26 – 30°C while the winter nights can be exceedingly cold with temperatures falling as low as 10°C below zero. The air is clear and dry. Winter is the best time to view game which often is congregated near the waterholes in the valley. Good game viewing can also be experienced towards the end of the rainy season.
Typically for KTP sudden and often destructive winds can appear from nowhere and leave everything impregnated by fine red sand.
Electricity
The lodge is powered by a solar panel system with generators as a back-up. Limited charging of batteries is available.
Water
Rooiputs is serviced by two boreholes which provide water to the lodge. As most water in the Kgalagadi, the borehole water is slightly salty and a water purification system is used to remove the salt and provide potable water for drinking and cooking. Untreated water is used for showering and the plunge pool. However, the water is a scarce resource in the desert and guests are asked to use it considerately, and there are policies in place on the use of cleaning of guest towels and bed linen.
Hot and cold water is available in all chalets.
