McCarthy’s Rest lies snug up against the border with Botswana, just outside the Kgalagadi Transfronteir Park in the heart of the Kalahari Desert. Its name is something of a misnomer, as there is no town or district bearing this name or memory of a person, just a lonely border post. It is perhaps the most isolated corner of South Africa. It is the very isolation of this place in the heart of the mysterious desert wilderness of the Kalahari that makes it the exceptional and fascinating experience it is.

This area has a remarkable eco system and is teaming with game and birds that occur here, namely Gemsbuck, Springbuck, Kudu, Eland, Sable, Buffalo and Rhino to name a few. It is also home to some of the largest numbers of Sandgrouse found anywhere. Namaqua and Burchell’s fly to the water holes in the mornings and Double Banded in the evenings. This area also has small populations of Guinea Fowl and Red Billed Spurfowl. Turtle Doves and Laughing Doves also occur here and can be shot over the same waterholes in the afternoons.

In this ever changing wilderness of rolling Kalahari dunes with camel thorn trees and teaming wild game and abundant bird life, the experience of shooting the prodigious sandgrouse and the splendour of the luxurious Barrange Lodge, all make this an absolute hidden gem and an incredible experience

This is the bird that Hemingway wrote about so passionately and loved to shoot Burchell’s and Namaqua Sandgrouse arrive at waterholes at a gentlemanly hour of 09 00 and the double banded just before it is too dark to shoot in the evening. The strategy of Sandgrouse shooting has been carefully worked out and honed at each waterhole, by the guns forming an outward facing circle around the water hole about four hundred yards from it, leaving an un shot area in the middle large enough for incoming sandgrouse to land and drink. With the guns at this distance from the waterhole, the incoming packs of sandgrouse are fair game at a high range and are extremely sporting. Once the birds have passed over the guns, they drop down to the waterhole to get their fill and then fly out once again to run the gauntlet All in all, they offer great sport and are delicious table fair.

Barrange Lodge – is one of the most luxurious camps that we offer. It is situated in the red dunes of the Kalahari. The main entertainment centre is a modern African Safari style lodge with all the amenities that any 5-star hotel around the world would offer. WIFI and air-conditioning come standard. Sit on the pool deck in the evening and watch buffalo, sable and many other species come down to drink. The rooms are tastefully done in a Bedouin style that is in keeping with the desert surrounds. The rooms are all fully equipped with air-conditioning TV and beautiful bathrooms.