Nossob River Valley Track — Twee Rivieren to Nossob Camp via Kgalagadi Riverbeds
Lions on the track. Sand under the tyres. No exits.
The Nossob riverbed road between Twee Rivieren camp and Nossob camp is one of the finest game-drive roads on the African continent — not because it’s dramatic terrain, but because it’s the real Kalahari with almost nothing between you and the wildlife. The Nossob River hasn’t flowed properly in living memory, but its dry bed is a wildlife corridor and the road follows it north for roughly 165 km through red dune and camel thorn country straddling the South Africa–Botswana border. Black-maned Kgalagadi lions are spotted here regularly. So are cheetah, brown hyena, and enough raptors to keep a birder occupied for a week. The sand is soft in places — enough to bury a vehicle that’s lost pressure — and there are no shortcuts or bail-out routes once you commit to the northern section.
You need a 4WD with a snorkel-free but sand-ready setup: run your tyres down to around 1.4 bar and know how to air back up. The park mandates self-sufficient camping — no resupply between Twee Rivieren and Nossob (fuel is available at Nossob camp). Book accommodation or camping well in advance through SANParks; Kgalagadi is one of the most popular wilderness parks in southern Africa and sites fill months ahead. A South African Parks wilderness permit is required on entry. Best season is April to September — summer heat exceeds 50°C in the vehicle on a still day. Cell service is essentially zero. This drive is slow, deliberate, and completely worth it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 103 mi / 165 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3050 ft |
| Best season | April-September |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD with sand-ready setup and full-size spare |
| Nearest town | Upington, Northern Cape |
| Land manager | SANParks – Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | SANParks – Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park SANParks online booking |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted Hilux or Prado on stock AT tyres handle the Nossob riverbed track?
Yes, but tyre pressure management is critical — most drivers air down to 1.2–1.5 bar for the deep sand sections. A snatch strap and maxtrax are non-negotiable; even experienced drivers get bogged in the loose riverbed sand between waterholes.
When is this track closed and what does the wet season actually do to it?
The track runs reliably dry from April through September. Summer rains (October–March) can make sections impassable and SANParks will close access without much notice — call the park directly before committing to a wet-season attempt.
Do you need a permit and can you just rock up at Twee Rivieren gate?
A valid Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park entry permit and pre-booked accommodation or campsite reservations at Nossob are mandatory — there is no free camping and day visitors cannot overnight on the track. Book through SANParks online well in advance, especially for June–August when the park fills months out.
What's the hardest section and what makes it genuinely difficult?
The deep loose sand between Cubitje Quap and Union's End junction is where most vehicles struggle — the track disappears into wide, unmarked riverbed and picking the wrong line means extended digging. There are no other vehicles to bail you out and no cell service, so a second vehicle is strongly advised.
How much fuel do you need to carry and where can you refuel along the route?
Nossob Camp has a fuel station but supply is unreliable — treat it as a bonus, not a plan. Carry enough from Twee Rivieren to cover the full 165 km plus a meaningful reserve, accounting for the fuel penalty of sustained sand driving, which can cut economy by 30–40% compared to tarmac.
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