The 2 Rivers Of The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park; All You Need To Know

The Rivers And Riverbeds Of The Kgalagadi Ecosystem

The rivers of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park (Also known as the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park) are dry for very long periods of time and when they do eventually run they don't run for long. This scientific phenomenon is called ephemeral. A very good rainy season is the only thing that will make these ancient Kalahari rivers, which are riverbeds for years on end, run. The two (2) rivers that run through the Kalahari and that make the Kalahari work are called the Nossob River and the Auob River. These rivers carry rainwater in the wet season and there is always moisture underneath the top layer of soil in the dry season. The rivers are the source of life in the Kgalagadi and all the animals can be found amongst the Camel Thorn trees quite a lot. There are also at least 17 prides of African Lion that use the riverbeds as part of their territory.

The Nossob and Auob's river confluence is about 5 kilometers from Twee Rivieren Rest Camp. The Nossob and Auob rivers are explained in detail below and all the information you could ever want to know about the mystical rivers of Kalahari is available below.

The Auob River

The Auob River is much shorter than the Nossob which is about twice it's size. In one section of the Auob River it is said to flow once every 11 years. The whole of the Auob River flows around once every 20 years. The Auob Riverbed is filled with wildlife of all sorts. Southern Giraffe can often be seen in the northern part of the river close to Mata Mata and there is always a good chance of seeing Striped Kingfisher or Verreaux's (Giant) Eagle Owl in the thick Camel Thorn trees along this route. Breeding Spotted Eagle Owl, Spotted Thick Knee and Crowned Lapwing can often be seen with their young ones as well. Leopard and Brown Hyaena can be seen patrolling the river in the early morning.

The Nossob River

The Nossob River is very different to the Auob River in many ways. The Nossob only flows once every century (100 Years) and it about two times the size of the Auob. Vegetation around the Nossob is denser than the Auob's, which is more open. Nossob means black water or black lung. The Nossob River offers premium mammal, bird and reptile watching. There are good chances of seeing Mole Snake, Cape Cobra and Puffadder crossing the road or basking in the river bed. African Lion, Cheetah and Leopard are often seen too. In the Nossob river raptors are often encountered and Nossob is rated as the best place to see bird's of prey in South Africa. A variety of Eagles, Buzzards, Harriers, Hawk and Falcons can be seen regularly here. Also look out for Greater Kudu, Caracal, Cape Fox, Bate-Eared Fox, Spotted Hyaena and Brown Hyaena

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