PALAPYE

Itumela Rest Camp

Palapye has always been a small town at a crossroads, but it has grown in the last decade thanks to the nearby Morupele coal mine and adjacent power station.

At Itumela Rest Camp, in the old part of town, you can camp for P85 (R112) per adult; P55 (R72) per child under 12. A power point costs P25 (R33) extra per day. Twin-sleeper chalet P480 (R630) per night. Threesleeper chalet P550 (R722) per night. There is also a restaurant and a swimming pool. GPS: S22.55967 E27.127355 Contact: 00 267 71 806 771;

campitumela.com

Goo-Moremi Gorge

This water-rich gorge is one of the biggest surprises in Botswana. It’s hidden in the Tswapong Hills east of Palapye. You’re only allowed to explore the gorge with a guide because it has religious significance for the Moremi community, and you’re not allowed to swim in the river. Still, you can hike to a waterfall and a viewpoint where you can see a breeding colony of vultures.

The resort near the gorge has five camping stands: P120 (R158) per adult; P60 (R79) per child aged 6 – 15. The six chalets have views of the mountain. Twin chalet P850 (R1 116) per night; four-sleeper P1 160 (R1 523).

Stay at Goo-Moremi if you want to use the Grobler’s Bridge/Martin’s Drift border post. It’s also close