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The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP), spanning 2 countries and over 37000 sq kms, is one of the largest national parks in the world. Covering Botswana’s south west corner, and part of South Africa’s northern Cape, it has an interesting history, having been formed with the support of the Peace Parks Foundation, a body
that aims to preserve important ecosystem areas across international borders. It is being jointly run by both countries, and is priceless in terms of conservation, at a time when burgeoning world population is seriously undermining the ecological health and future of our planet. It represents a unique joint-partnership arrangement, at the same time being refreshingly free of human influence – a rare phenomenon in the world today.
Authorities in the KTP prioritise protection of the fragile and changing ecosystem, and preservation of the unique ecological and
wildlife biodiversity here, in terms of careful control of the tourism factor. Vehicle entrance to the park is limited, and camping areas are strictly monitored. In this desert environment, the provision and use of water can be a contentious issue, and must be carefully balanced between environmental, human and tourism needs.
Ancient migration routes, and nomadic arid ecosystems are remnants that are evident in the biodiversity characteristics of the area today. The decision that the park remain unfenced allows the current migration of herbivores, albeit on a much smaller scale than in the past. Conservation strategies are carefully planned around the large herbivore and carnivore movements, which are considered central to the preservation of the area.
The area supports a significant old-established predator/prey interaction. The spotted hyena preying almost exclusively on gemsbok, once a main feature of the vast regions of Southern Africa, is all but extinct elsewhere but is still observed here today. Other typical desert
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