Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Caption: Between Borders #ConservationStory
Picture
Caption: As an avid photographer and travel blogger, few things can compare to the thrill of going on safari. I especially love exploring protected areas and National Parks across sub-Saharan Africa. As a result, I have seen first-hand the challenges our wild spaces in Africa are facing. Here is my story from Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Picture of Northern Cape
Caption: In the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, the roads are long and flat. This region is the southern extent of the Kalahari Desert.
Picture of Northern Cape
Caption: Hunter-gatherer tribes like the San (Bushmen) have roamed and lived off this land side-by-side with wildlife for centuries.
Picture of Northern Cape
Caption: Ranchers and farmers also live off the land. Cattle graze between patches of dirt and grass. Water is an important resource in this semi-arid landscape.
Picture of Northern Cape
Caption: As a result, human encroachment has become a threat to this region's wildlife.
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Caption: KGALAGADI TRANSFRONTIER PARK
In the year 2000, two smaller conservation areas within South Africa and Botswana were combined with additional nearby land to create the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Now, wildlife within the Kalahari Desert ecosystem has some 15,000 square miles to roam freely between the geopolitical borders of Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Caption: Within the park, tourism helps generate additional job opportunities and revenue for local community members.
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Video of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Caption: The park is the perfect place to spot small mammals, like meerkats.
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Caption: Ground Squirrels are constantly on the lookout for large birds of prey.
Video of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Caption: Even tortoises have learned to adopt in this harsh environment.
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Caption: The hills and valleys are full of patches of grass. The grass helps support the lives of ungulates, like these grazing wildebeest.
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Caption: Large mammalian carnivores, like these cheetah, prey upon the wild antelope species.
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Caption: Other predators found within the park include hyena, jackal, leopard, and lion.
Video of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Caption: Birds of all sizes (including ostrich) can also be found in the Kalahari.
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Caption: In the Kagalagadi, there are also internal pressures on the ecosystem. A handful of giraffe were re-introduced to the park on the SA side 9 years before the Transfrontier Park was formed. Unfortunately, the giraffe aren't moving as far no as wide as was expected. Their overgrazing of trees will have an impact on the environment.
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Caption: After several days of weaving across the park in our 4x4, we exited the park at the border of South Africa and Namibia.
Picture of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Caption: THE END What's your #ConservationStory?
