Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Urikaruus Wilderness Camp power interruptions expected during solar upgrade

Travellers planning a stay at Urikaruus Wilderness Camp in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park between 29 June and 02 July 2026 should be aware of possible intermittent power interruptions while South African National Parks (SANParks) carries out upgrades to the camp's solar power system.

According to SANParks, the project will involve extending the existing solar panel structures to accommodate additional panels, as well as installing new equipment designed to improve the camp's renewable energy infrastructure.

While the work is under way, guests may experience occasional disruptions to electricity supply. SANParks says every effort will be made to minimise inconvenience and complete the upgrades as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Urikaruus Wilderness Camp is one of the Kgalagadi's most sought-after wilderness camps, offering elevated chalet accommodation overlooking the dry Auob River bed and excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing directly from the camp.

Visitors travelling during the upgrade period may wish to charge cameras, phones and other electronic devices whenever power is available and should be prepared for short interruptions during the day.

 

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Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Nossob Rest Camp switches to 24-hour solar power!

The South African National Parks (SANParks) management of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has announced that the Nossob Rest Camp now also has 24-hour electricity supply. SANParks switched from generator power for 17 hours per day to solar power for 24 hours per day. In October 2024, the Mata-Mata Rest Camp switched to 24-hour solar power.

Situated along the Nossob Riverbed, the Nossob Rest Camp is approximately 160 km north of Twee Rivieren Rest Camp, the southern entrance gate to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The camp has a shop, a fuel station and a swimming pool. While the Nossob Rest Camp itself is accessible by 2WD vehicles, many roads and trails are better suited for 4x4 vehicles, especially after rain.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Mata-Mata Rest Camp switches to 24-hour solar power, with more camps to follow!

The South African National Parks (SANParks) management of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has announced that the Mata-Mata Rest Camp now has 24-hour electricity supply. SANParks switched from generator power for 17 hours per day to solar power for 24 hours per day. According to SANParks, the other main camps in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park will also switch to green solar power in the near future. We'll keep you posted!

Mata-Mata Rest Camp is situated on the banks of the Auob River on the western boundary of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The camp borders Namibia and is surrounded by thorny Kalahari dune bushveld. The camp has a reception, swimming pool, shop and fuel facilities. There is no telephone or cellphone reception. Mata-Mata Rest Camp is 2,5-hours drive from Twee Rivieren Rest Camp.

South Africa: Addo Elephant National Park is going green!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that various solar-powered projects have been commissioned throughout Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa's Eastern Cape. A biofiltration system has also been installed, which is recycling up to 80% of the National Park's busiest camp’s grey water.
The 17 largest boreholes in Addo Elephant National Park have been converted from diesel generators to solar. These boreholes supply drinking water to animals at waterholes and also service a number of staff homes across most of its 160,000 hectares. The project to convert the boreholes got underway three years ago, with the latest addition coming online earlier this year.  
An additional 20 hybrid solar systems dotted throughout Addo Elephant National Park provide power to Anti-Poaching Unit staff accommodation and a law enforcement fusion centre.
A new solar project will allow Addo Elephant National Park's Main Camp, the main hub of the National Park with the most accommodation units, staff housing and where most of the activities depart from, to go off-grid by the end of next year.
Addo Elephant National Park's newly built biofiltration plant is recycling the majority of grey water from Main Camp, which in turn gets fed to a nearby waterhole and the bird hide. It is also set up to, in future, supply water for the flushing of toilets at eight new family accommodation units currently being built. The  biofiltration plant is able to handle 120 kilolitres of sewerage per day.

Addo Elephant National Park is located about 30km outside Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) in South Africa's Eastern Cape. The National Park spans across an area of approximately 1,640km² and consists of a variety of landscapes, including dense forests, rolling hills, open grasslands, and coastal dunes. Addo Elephant National Park is not only home to the traditional Big 5, but the Big 7, which includes the Southern right whale and Great white shark in its marine environment. 

South Africa: George Airport will be the first regional airport to run off solar energy alone!

update (07 March 2016): George Airport (GRJ), located in George in the Western Cape, goes solar! [more]

George Airport (GRJ), located in George in the Western Cape, will be the first regional airport in South Africa to run off solar energy alone. In the first phase of the solar power project it will produce up to 750kW and in the second phase a 1MW peak. Once the first phase of the project is completed (by the end of June 2015), the plant will provide George Airport (GRJ) with 41% of its power daily.
The construction of the solar power plant at George Airport (GRJ) started in May 2015. Other regional airports around South Africa are expected to follow the solar energy route soon. We'll keep you posted!

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Cape Town: Robben Island to switch to solar power!

update (16 Oct 2015): The Robben Island retrofit project, part of the Department of Tourism’s Incentive Programme (TIP), will be completed by April 2016.

According to South Africa's Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, Robben Island will soon generate its power from solar panels. The island, located in Cape Town's Table Bay, will be a pilot site for the department's plan to roll out solar power to South Africa's botanical gardens, National Parks and World Heritage sites. The installation of solar power on Robben Island will take place during the current financial year.