Kalahari Discovery 5-Day Lodge Tour
Discover the true heart of the Kalahari with our unique 5-Day Kalahari Self-Drive Guided Lodge Tour — more than just a game drive, this is a cultural journey into one of Southern Africa’s most captivating regions.
Tour Details
Cost
R 12 800.00 p/p sharing
Add R2400 for Single Occupant
Max 10 Vehicles
Departure
5-Days – 18th to 22nd May 2026
15th to 19th September 2026
Route
Upington to Kgalagadi return Upington
01.WHAT TO EXPECT
Tour Details
We kick off in style with breakfast at the Upington Wine Cellar before heading north, where red dunes meet rich culture. Along the way, we visit family-run game farms, experience life on a working camel dairy farm, and overnight in carefully selected, character-filled Kalahari lodges.
It’s not just about wildlife — it’s about stories, people, landscapes, and traditions that define the Kalahari. We wrap up the adventure back at the Upington Wine Cellar with a well-deserved wine tasting and lunch to celebrate the experience.
If you’re ready to explore the soul of the Kalahari, this journey is for you!
Highlights
- Upington Wine Cellar breakfast & Wine Tasting
- Kalahari Tented Camp Experience
- Salt Pan Sunset Drinks
- Red Dune Sundowner Experience
- Koppies Kraal Camel Experience
- The Lost City Visit
- Meerkat Sanctuary Visit
- Kgalagadi’s predator-rich wilderness visit
- Private Game Farm Visits
- San Cutural Dinner & Dance
What You Should Bring
- Light Clothing
- Sun Hat
- Sun Block
- Warm Jacket
- On-Road Snacks
- Own 4×4 – We can Assist with 4×4 Hire
- 12v Fridge for your Drinks
- Binoculars
- Tyre Guage & Pump
- Camp Chair
- Enough Drinking Water
Times
Departure Times: 9.00am
Dropoff Time: 2pm
Includes
- Qualified Registered Guide
- Tour Dossier
- 3-4* Accommodation
- Kgalagadi day Visit
- Park Fees
- Dinner x 4 – All Lunches & 5 x Breakfast
- Packed Lunches
- Red Dune Sundowner Experience
- Wine Tasting x 1
- Koppies Kraal Camel Farm Visit
- San Cultural Dinner & Dance
- Free Roaming WiFi for duration of tour (Temporarily unavailable)
- Two Way Radios
- Promotional Gift
Does Not Include
- Gratuities
- Extra Activities not listed
- Fuel
- Night Park Drives
- Transport
03.What We Have Planned
Tour Itenary
DAY 1
Upington to Loch Maree Game Farm
DAY 2
Loch Maree to Kgalagadi Lodge
DAY 3
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park & Dreghorn Game Lodge
DAY 4
4×4 Dune Adventure & Molopo Lodge
DAY 5
Scenic Journey Back to Upington
DAY 1
Upington to Loch Maree Game Farm
Your Kalahari adventure begins at 8:00 AM with a hearty breakfast and coffee at the renowned Upington Wine Cellars restaurant.
This relaxed morning meet-and-greet is the perfect opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers while your guide walks you through the program, vehicle checks, safety tips, and tour guidelines.
By 10:00 AM, we hit the road, heading northwest into the heart of the Kalahari. Our destination is Loch Maree, a private game farm offering a unique glimpse into life in this remote region. Here, we check into our well-equipped Zoutpan Tented Bush Camp, where modern comforts meet true Kalahari charm.
DAY 2
Loch Maree to Kgalagadi Lodge
We start our day early, heading off to the fascinating Koppies Kraal Camel Dairy Farm after breakfast guided by your guide whose knowledge and passion for the Kalahari are unmatched.
After visiting the Camels, your guide takes you on a journey into history at Koppies Kraal Kalahari Farm, where Farrinie once claimed to discover the Lost City. We then travel east toward Asham and stop at a Meerkat Sanctuary to observe these fascinating animals. Later, we check into Kgalagadi Lodge and enjoy dinner at the Blackmaned Restaurant before retiring for the night.
DAY 3
Full-Day Kgalagadi Park & Dreghorn Game Lodge
After an early breakfast at the Kgalagadi Lodge, we head out for an exciting full-day adventure in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, one of Southern Africa’s most iconic wilderness areas.
Renowned for its wide-open spaces, towering red dunes, and famous black-maned lions, this park offers incredible opportunities for wildlife sightings.
Later, we travel to Dreghorn Game Lodge, where we check into our comfortable accommodations for the night before venturing onto the red dunes in our 4×4’s for a breathtaking sunset, complete with refreshing drinks. As the sky turns golden, we soak in the beauty of the Kalahari before returning to enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by our hosts, followed by a relaxing evening and a restful night surrounded by tranquil desert sounds.
DAY 4
4×4 Dune Adventure, Molopo Lodge & San Cultural Evening
After a hearty breakfast at Dreghorn Game Lodge, the morning kicks off with some fun in the dunes. We take our 4x4s onto the surrounding red Kalahari sands for an exciting session of dune driving, with opportunities to spot wildlife that roam freely on the farm — keep your eyes peeled for gemsbok, springbok, and other desert-adapted species.
By late morning, we make our way to the iconic Molopo Lodge, where a welcoming lunch awaits, served on their deck with ice-cold beers on tap — the perfect way to cool down after the dunes.
Later in the evening, we make our way to Erin Game Farm for an unforgettable Khomani San cultural experience. Here we enjoy Aunt Koera’s famous potjie kos while the San dancers entertain us with their traditional music and rhythmic movements around the fire. After this special evening, we return to Molopo Lodge for a peaceful night’s rest, surrounded by the quiet sounds of the Kalahari.
DAY 5
Scenic Journey Back to Upington & Farewell at the Wine Cellars
After a leisurely breakfast at Molopo Lodge, we pack up and begin our scenic journey back towards Upington, taking in the last views of the iconic red dunes and vast, untamed beauty of the Kalahari.
The drive offers plenty of time to reflect on the experiences of the past few days — the wildlife, the dune adventures, the cultural encounters, and the wide-open spaces unique to this part of South Africa.
Upon arrival in Upington, known as the “Gateway to the Kalahari,” our adventure comes to an end. This lively town on the banks of the Orange River is the perfect place to say farewell and reflect on the journey we’ve shared, the friendships formed, and the incredible memories made exploring the vast beauty of the Northern Cape.
