Glimpses of life in the heart of a desert

Friday, January 21, 2022 | 1310 Views |

Waterhole along Nossob River in the KTP PICS: THALEFANG CHARLES

There is a peculiar feeling about being in the desert. I have not fully understood the feeling - I probably need a few more trips to fully comprehend it - but I have glimpses of it. And this is my attempt to describe it.

If one takes the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) map and points right at the middle of it, that is the general location of Matopi Campsites. It is one of the remotest campsites in the country. It is literally in the middle of nowhere.

There is not much at Matopi. Just a few Shepherd’s Trees (metopi) and an eerie looking dysfunctional pit latrine. There is no water source around. No expansive views, , just desert shrubs. Matopi is where one feels completely disconnected from the modern world.

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