Xaus Lodge is a private lodge built on top of a dune of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Set on the 91st dune off the Auob River Road overlooking a heart-shaped salt pan. The lodge includes stand-alone accommodation units, with communal facilities accessed on a raised walkway. The setting is optimised for quiet contemplation of the desert, and magnificent star gazing at night. The ‡Khomani San (Bushman) and Mier communities are the owners of !Xaus Lodge and all its furnishings. Almost all the lodge employees are drawn from the local communities where unemployment is rife.
Day 1: Sunday 3 March 2024
We depart early morning from Johannesburg. On route to Kuruman, we travel through Ventersdorp and Vryburg, lunch on route. We will stay overnight at Red Sands outside Kuruman. Dinner at the Red Sands restaurant
Day 2: Monday 4 March 2024
After breakfast, we continue the journey toward Kgalagadi Park. The route is via Olifantshoek towards Upington where we will have lunch. We then drive in a northerly direction towards the town of Askham. It is a slow drive, and around every corner, you will see more dune landscapes. We arrive at the Kgalagadi Lodge (5km from the gate) and check into the well-appointed chalets for 1 night. We relax for the remainder of the afternoon before dinner is enjoyed at the Restaurant.
Day 3: Tuesday 5 March 2024
After a healthy breakfast, we will drive up to the Kamqua picnic spot where the Game Ranger from !Xaus Lodge will meet you and take you over 92 sand dunes to the Lodge. On arrival at the Lodge enjoy a welcome drink, and check into your rooms for 3 nights. Dinner at the Lodge.
Day 4 & 5: Wednesday & Thursday - 6/7 March 2024
On one of the days we have an early wake-up call for a walk into the Dunes to learn some of the Bushmen Culture and the next day we will enjoy a very early morning game drive. Returning to the Lodge for breakfast and time to relax before lunch. Late afternoon game drive with sundowners on a dune watching the African sun setting…. followed by dinner at the Lodge.
Day 6: Friday 8 March 2024
We depart early with a packed breakfast that we will have at the Kamqua picnic spot. Our road back is over the 92 sand dunes for our return to the Auob River and transfer over to our microbus. We travel from Kamqua picnic spot to Twee Rivieren gate enjoying our last game drive until we leave the park. Tonight we sleep in Upington
Day 7: Saturday 9 March 2024
Depart after breakfast travelling back to Johannesburg. Lunch on route. Arrive back in Johannesburg late afternoon.
** optional fly back from Upington for own account.
