Nata Lodge to Woodlands Stop Over (176 km)

DAY 8

This is basically a driving day, but the distance to cover isn’t huge. Why not take a turn past the Nata Bird Sanctuary again (see Day 7) to get a second look at the natural spectacle that is the Makgadikgadi? Drive carefully along the A3 and keep to the speed limit, even if it seems to be locked at 50 or 80 km/h for long stretches past roadside settlements. Woodlands Stop Over is such an excellent campsite that any camper who knows a good thing will want to spend at least two nights here, simply to enjoy the great facilities and service on offer. So that’s what we recommend!

STAY HERE

Woodlands Stop Over Woodlands is about 15 km north of Francistown and far enough off the A3 – you won’t hear the traffic. The campsites are on grass: P115 (R144) per adult; P95 (R119) per child aged 3 – 15; free for toddlers. Extra payments: P35 (R44) per bush trailer or similar; P35 (R44) per power point per night. The small but comfy campsite chalets sleep two adults for P610 (R761) per night, plus P125 (R156) per extra person (max four people; the extras had better be children because the chalets are small). Bigger units like the Rivierview Rooms start at P875 (R1 092) per night for two people sharing; the spacious Woodlands Cottage costs P1 750 (R2 184) per night for four people, plus P175 (R218) per extra person (max six people). They have a small but sorted camp shop that sells meat, wood, wine, maps and mementos. GPS: S21.08122 E27.46405 Contact: 00 267 244 0131; woodlandscampingbots.com

DAY 9

Today is another rest day, which you can trade for an extra day somewhere else in the itinerary if you want to do excursions. You’re on the homeward stretch now, but rushing through the Francistown area, as most tourists do, means you’ll miss out on a unique corner of Botswana. One option is to chill out at Woodlands: There are short hiking trails and a swimming pool, and the campsite birding is excellent (listen at night for the call of a Verreaux’s eagle owl, or for the call of a woodland kingfisher on a summer’s day). The adventurous option is to go looking for the ruins of Domboshaba. The road there is mostly tar and takes you through small villages, farms and eventually through bush, where koppies jut out like islands in a sea of veld. At the site, a guide will take you around and tell you about the history of the settlement, which was once part of the Great Zimbabwe network. Ask someone at Woodlands to explain how to get there, or follow the GPS co-ordinates. (It’s a two-hour drive.)