By Roxanne Reid
Here’s a reminder to visitors passing through Nossob camp in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on the way to any of the camps in Botswana: you’re not entitled to draw water from Nossob!
Here’s a reminder to visitors passing through Nossob camp in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on the way to any of the camps in Botswana: you’re not entitled to draw water from Nossob!
Yes, this is a transfrontier park, which means you can cross country borders inside the park without a passport. But SANParks is responsible for water provisioning on the South African side (including Nossob) and Botswana’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) is responsible for provisioning camps in the Botswana section. This includes Polentswa and all the camps along the Mabuesehube and other 4x4 trails on the Botswana side.
Given that these Botswana camps are ‘dry’, that means you’re supposed to bring all your water requirements into the park with you, not use Nossob as your water filling station.
‘We’re clamping down heavily on Botswana tourists and day visitors passing through Nossob,’ says section ranger Brent Whittington. ‘Botswana visitors fill all their water tanks, pop in to use the showers and toilets daily and make use of the swimming pool in the summer months.’
Given that these Botswana camps are ‘dry’, that means you’re supposed to bring all your water requirements into the park with you, not use Nossob as your water filling station.
‘We’re clamping down heavily on Botswana tourists and day visitors passing through Nossob,’ says section ranger Brent Whittington. ‘Botswana visitors fill all their water tanks, pop in to use the showers and toilets daily and make use of the swimming pool in the summer months.’
Sunrise at Nossob, Kgalagadi
Given that the Kgalagadi is a semi-arid area, Nossob has always has been and continues to be under serious pressure as far as water supply and ablution facilities are concerned. It’s unreasonable for Botswana visitors to use Nossob’s facilities so freely that Nossob’s own paying guests end up showering in cold water or having to endure blocked or overflowing drains because the facilities can’t cope with a load they simply weren’t designed for.
Usually, visitors to Botswana say they love the epic ‘bush experience’ of staying at Polentswa or along the Mabuasehube trail. Well, I hate to break it to you, but part of that bush experience is using the ‘bush’ facilities there and bringing enough water with you into the park – not ducking out and using Nossob as your personal ablution and water station.
So if you’re visiting the DWNP’s Botswana camps, please don’t add to SANParks’ burden at Nossob by using facilities that are not meant for you.
Do you think this is a good idea or not? Please share your opinion in the comments below.
Usually, visitors to Botswana say they love the epic ‘bush experience’ of staying at Polentswa or along the Mabuasehube trail. Well, I hate to break it to you, but part of that bush experience is using the ‘bush’ facilities there and bringing enough water with you into the park – not ducking out and using Nossob as your personal ablution and water station.
So if you’re visiting the DWNP’s Botswana camps, please don’t add to SANParks’ burden at Nossob by using facilities that are not meant for you.
Do you think this is a good idea or not? Please share your opinion in the comments below.
A bush shower, Botswana
Note for day visitors
If you’re a day visitor, please don’t use Nossob’s campsite as your stopover picnic spot. A temporary day visitors’ facility with tables and chairs has been cleared under the trees on the right-hand side as you come into camp (the area is due for upgrading soon). You can use the toilet and wash-up basin in the old ablution facility to the right of where you go up to the guest house.
A field ranger is posted at the gate from time to time to check permits and point you in the right direction, but if he’s not there when you arrive and you’re not sure where to go, ask at reception rather than invading the campsite.
Come on Kgalagadi lovers, spread the word and let’s all enjoy the unique character of each camp as it was intended – without stepping on the toes of others.
Do you think this is a good idea or not? Please share your opinion in the comments below.
More about the Kgalagadi
If you’re a day visitor, please don’t use Nossob’s campsite as your stopover picnic spot. A temporary day visitors’ facility with tables and chairs has been cleared under the trees on the right-hand side as you come into camp (the area is due for upgrading soon). You can use the toilet and wash-up basin in the old ablution facility to the right of where you go up to the guest house.
A field ranger is posted at the gate from time to time to check permits and point you in the right direction, but if he’s not there when you arrive and you’re not sure where to go, ask at reception rather than invading the campsite.
Come on Kgalagadi lovers, spread the word and let’s all enjoy the unique character of each camp as it was intended – without stepping on the toes of others.
Do you think this is a good idea or not? Please share your opinion in the comments below.
More about the Kgalagadi
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