Green Kalahari Accommodation Askham

GREEN KALAHARI ACCOMMODATION ASKHAM

ASKHAM

Askham developed around the school that was built in 1931, and the Dutch Reformed Church. It is a quiet little town situated about 185km north of Upington on the road to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Being only 73 km from the park entrance at Twee Rivieren Askham has become o necesary refuel point in the Kalahary before continuing on the journey to one of the world’s largest conservation areas.

It is claimed that the Scottish land surveyor, Rodger Jackson, gave Askham its name when he surveyed farms in the Kuruman river in 1919. It is not quite clear why Jackson chose the name of Askham. It is said that Jackson named Askham after a town on the Irish coast.

If one continues with the new tarred road from Upington to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a few kilometers from Askham you would encounter the police station at Witdraai. The police station was build in 1931 and was used as a breeding station for camels, with the original camels imported from the Sudan. It supplied camels to the police as far as Rietfontein, Kuruman, Van Zylsrus, Deben and Olifantshoek for use during police patrols in the Kalahari until 1950.

The Main Attractions are:

* Kalahari 4 x 4 Trail

This tough 250km long route is worth a visit and can be done over two to three days.

* Kgalagadi Tranfrontier Park

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one of the largest conservation areas in the world, linking South Africa and Botswana. It is the home of the famed black -maned Kalahari lion and has 58 species of mammal, 55 reptile species and about 300 bird species, including at least 20 different species of large raptor.

* Loch Maree

Located 300km from Upington on the far side of Noenieput, with a circumference of 24 kilometres, this unworked salt pan is the largest in South Africa.

* The Kalahari Red Dune Route

The route consists of a network of individually owned guest houses, farms and game reserves.

* Hunting

The Kalahari is a hunter's paradise with its many game reserves and rich wildlife. Gemsbok and springbok are abundant, but wildebeest, red hartebeest and eland makes excellent biltong.