Gemsbok National Park
| Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park | |
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| Kalahari Gemsbok National Park Gemsbok National Park |
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IUCN category II (national park)
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Twee Rivieren camp
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| Location | Kgalagadi District, Botswana / Northern Cape, South Africa |
| Nearest city | Upington |
| Coordinates | 25°46′S 20°23′E / 25.767°S 20.383°ECoordinates: 25°46′S 20°23′E / 25.767°S 20.383°E |
| Area | 38,000 km2 (15,000 sq mi) |
| Established | 31 July 1931 (Kalahari Gemsbok National Park) 12 May 2000 (Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park) |
| Governing body | Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Botswana) / South African National Parks |
| http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kgalagadi/ | |
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a large wildlife preserve and conservation area in southern Africa. The park straddles the border between South Africa and Botswana and comprises two adjoining national parks:
The total area of the park is 38,000 square kilometres (15,000 sq mi). Approximately three-quarters of the park lies in Botswana and one-quarter in South Africa. means "place of thirst."
In September 2014, more than half of the Botswana portion of the park was sold for gas-fracking.
The park is located largely within the southern Kalahari Desert. The terrain consists of red sand dunes, sparse vegetation, occasional trees, and the dry riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob Rivers. The rivers are said to flow only about once per century. However, water flows underground and provides life for grass and camelthorn trees growing in the river beds. The rivers may flow briefly after large thunderstorms.
The park has abundant, varied wildlife. It is home to large mammalian predators such as Kalahari lions (possibly Panthera leo bleyenberghi or Panthera leo krugeri),Namibian cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas. Migratory herds of large herbivores such as blue wildebeest, springbok, eland, and red hartebeest also live and move seasonally within the park, providing sustenance for the predators. More than 200 species of bird can be found in the park, including vultures and raptors such as eagles, buzzards, and secretary birds.
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Wikipedia