Back ground
The Kalahari Red Dune Trail is presented by Mr. Gert Van Zyl, owner of Thirstland Trails, based in Askham, Northern Cape, South Africa.
It is an unforgettable, luxury six-day, five nights slack-pack trail, where one can experience the true beauty of the Kalahari and its people on foot.
It includes guided walks and guided self-drives to various places in the Askham region.
Red Dune Trail Day One: Sunday the 18th of May 2025:
All 12 participants had to be at the Molopo Lodge near Askham at 16:00, where we met Gert Van Zyl, our guide, and the rest of the group. After a short introduction and briefing, we drove to REA Guest farm, our first base camp.
Upon arrival, we were quite surprised, as our camp was already neatly set up by his assistant, Louw. The dome canvas tents consist of two stretcher beds, with mattresses, cover sheet, a soft warm blanket, and a little bedside table with lamp.
Outside of our tents, we had a ground sheet, and camp chairs already set up.
The ablution with hot showers were beautifully designed, consisting of two showers, large wash basin and toilet in each bathroom. The bathrooms also had large sliding windows, with a view on the red dunes.
After we have settled in, we were welcomed by the owners of the farm, and experienced the treat of the Kalahari hospitality. We walked up the dune to experience the sunset, and we enjoyed our dinner around the camp fire, prepared by or hosts.
Red Dune Trail Day 2: Monday the 19th of May 2025:
We woke up early, to pack up our gear, had coffee and rusks for breakfast, and we started our hike at 7:00 sharp. It was an easy, 8km guided hike, through the red dunes.
Gert gave us a very interesting explanation about the type of landscape and how it came into exitance, type of grassland, and type of trees that are typically growing in the Kalahari throughout the trail.
Back at camp, we hit the showers, had a lovely lunch, and then drove to our next destination, Koppieskraal pan.
We first stopped at the camel farm, where we were entertained with drinks, and then visited the camel dairy. The young camels were a real treat, and were very inquisitive and used to visitors around them. We were also treated to have a taste of the camel milk afterwards.
Then we drove down to the pan, where the camp was already set up for us once again.
It is a large, dry pan about 48 km². We were in awe with the beautiful cloud formations, and the vastness of the pan at sunset. The camp, and campfire just added to this beautiful setting.
After a lovely dinner, we all helped to wash the dishes, and I could sense that the group is really starting to bond. We spend a while around the camp fire, learning about the star signs, and just enjoyed the magic of being under the starry skies, with no one else around for several kilometers. Sleeping on the pan was a real highlight of the day, and an unforgettable experience.
Red Dune Trail Day 3: Tuesday, the 20th of May 2025:
This morning, we woke up early again to watch a beautiful but cold sunrise. After breakfast, we packed up our gear, left the vehicles behind, and started the hike to discover the beautiful rock formations of the lost city of Farini. This was a lovely brisk, 12km walk, with some up hills in between.
We walked for a few kilometers on the pan itself, then started the ascend to the more hilly and rocky terrain. It was a very informative hike, and Gert explained more plants, trees and animal foot prints on the route, and showed us the rock formations consisting of iron. He also told us about the history of the lost city of Farini. The temperature started to raise at noon, but it became windier during the day.
Our trail ended at the camel farm, and after the hike we were treated with ice cold, cold drinks. He then took us back to our vehicles on the pan. Then we moved to our next location, Loch Maree Guest Farm.
Upon arrival, we met our lovely hostess, and she served us with a delicious lunch, and the camp was already set up once more.
After we settled in, we went to visit the salt pan and salt works, and then drove to a beautiful dune to have a sundowner and snacks, whilst we watch the sun to set.
Our group were mainly consisting of retirees, but all still very young at heart. We all opted to get on the back of Gerts’ Landcruiser, instead of following Gert in our own vehicles. Covered in beanies and warm clothes to shield us against the cold and windy temperatures, we all were like children at the back of the vehicle. That was great fun.
We head back to camp, where we were once more treated with a delicious warm dinner and pudding.
After a long but very exciting day, we hit the showers, and went off to bed.
Red Dune Trail Day 4: Wednesday, the 21st of May 2023
We woke up early as usual but the routine has changed for the day. We pack up our gear, and enjoyed a very lovely breakfast. After breakfast, we greet our hostess, and depart to the next camp.
On route, we stopped along the road, where Gert told us some very interesting facts about the history of the area and the people. We visited a farm stall, belonging to one of only forty original bushmen (Komani San people). We also had a short 3km easy veld walk with one of the bushmen. He told us a lot of interesting facts about the animal spoor and plants, and how to distinct between male and female spoor.
Afterwards we had a brunch at the farm stall, “Tant Koerra se padstal”, where she served us with freshly baked “Roosterkoek”/freshly baked bread and homemade ginger beer.
Then we visited historical sightings like the caves at Witdraai, and the tree where a formidable criminal ”Skapie”, was executed.
Then we depart to our next camp at Dreghorn game /guest farm, bordering Botswana and adjacent to the Molopo River.
After meeting our hosts, we drove off to the beautiful bush camp where our camp was once more already set up. The camp site was uniquely laid out, with ablution blocks on four different spots. We were only twelve hikers in the group, and our tents were set up so that three tents can use one ablution. Here, we also had the luxury of hot showers, but the showers have a roof, and the walls consisted of wired meshing filled with stones.
We settled in, opted for an early shower, and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at camp. Gert took us back to the main house later the afternoon, and once again, we all opted to join him on the back of his vehicle for the trip. The hosts had outdone themselves yet again with a delicious dinner served.
Red Dune Trail Day 5: Thursday the 22nd of May 2025:
We had the privilege to experience another sunrise in the Kalahari when waking up. We did not need to pack up our gear, since we were staying at Dreghorn for two nights. After breakfast, we started our 8 km hike for the day.
This easy but beautiful trail winds over the red Kalahari dunes, and Kalahari savannah. We were once more fascinated by Gerts’ knowledge of the environment, plants, animals and history of the Kalahari.
We had a lot of photo opportunities, and were lucky enough to spot a Verreaux eagle owl, and also saw another species of antelope, very similar to an oryx, of but smaller posture.
Later, on the trail, we even had a “bokdrol spoeg” competition, and it created much fun and laughter. Hennie Brink was crowned as the champion, since he spits the record distance of 12m.
Back at camp, we had our lunch, and had a very relaxing afternoon, sleeping, walking around camp, reading or just chilling.
After another early shower, we set off for a last drive to watch the sunset, and have a sundowner on a dune with a spectacular view.
Then we went for another lovely dinner at the main house, enjoying the campfire and good company of our newly made friends.
Red Dune Trail Day 6: The 23rd of May 2025:
It was with a sense of sadness that we woke and view the last sunrise on the trail. We had our last breakfast together, and the group was quieter than any day before.
We packed up our gear, and drove off to the Meerkat sanctuary.
Upon arrival, we met the guide, and had much fun with the meerkats in the sanctuary. She provided us with many interesting facts about these little cuties.
We walked for about a kilometer up the dune, where she presented two tiny baby meerkats to us. They were so cute and entertaining, and we had really enjoyed spending time with them and taking pictures.
From there, we departed to the Kgalagadi Lodge, 5km from the Kgalagadi Transfrontier park, to have our last brunch together.
We enjoyed a lovely brunch, and then it was time to say goodbye to Gert and our new friends.
Final Note:
This was an unforgettable experience. It should be on every outdoor enthusiast’s bucket list
Food and hospitality at every guest farm were outstanding.
The tour guide is an awesome person, with a lot of experience and knowledge of the Kalahari, the environment and its people.
Rating of the trail:
Difficulty rating: 3/10 Very Easy: Suitable for any age and any fitness level
Beauty: 9/10 Beautiful sunsets and sunrises, lovely Kalahari landscape, red dunes
and savannah.
Luxury: 10/10-Slackpack with all meals and accommodation included
Overall rating: 10/10 Gert is a well-organized and professional tour guide, has good people
skills, and is very precise with time frames. He always has his client’s best
interest at heart.
Thank you, Gert, it was really an experience of a lifetime.
Tips for the hike:
Seasonal hike presented Autumn to Spring as per schedule on their website.
Website: thirstland-trails.co.za
Take only your sleeping bag, and pillow and extra blanket if needed.
Take insect repellent, sunscreen and sun hat.
Walking sticks optional
Wear gaiters for walks in the veld.
Head lamp
Warm clothing, beanies and gloves for colder days
Own snacks for during the hike
Fresh drinking water is provided daily as well as fruit.
Refreshments provided Tea, Coffee, Wine, beer, Cold drinks, but you can bring your own if preferred.
Hot showers available at all camps except on the pan
No need for cutlery or toilet paper provided at camp,
Own vehicle with reasonable ground clearance