KANG
GABORONE
The capital is busy and has lots of traffic. Avoid the A1 road between Gaborone and Lobatse from 4 pm to 6 pm. Gaborone has hotels, shopping centres and places to sort out any vehicle problems you might have. We haven’t listed any places to stay in the city itself, just two quieter spots nearby.
Mokolodi Nature Reserve
You’re going on holiday to the bush, right? Don’t stay in Gabs proper, rather go to Mokolodi Nature Reserve south of the city.
The campsite has five stands, each accommodating a maximum of eight people: P125 (R158) per adult; P60 (R76) per child aged 5 – 12. A chalet that sleeps up to eight people costs P990 (R1 255) per night during the week or P1 360 (R1 724) per night on weekends and public holidays. Add government tax of P10 (R13) per person and P60 (R76) per vehicle. There’s a restaurant in the reserve. GPS: S24.73956 E25.81180 00 267 713 21021 (Florah); mokolodi.com
Lion Park Resort
This resort is about 14 km south of Gaborone next to the A1. It’s a theme park, but you can also camp: P110 (R139) per adult; P90 (R114) per child under 12. GPS: S24.78669 E25.81639 00 267 396 0575; lionpark.co.bw
LOBATSE
If you want to overnight near the Skilpadshek border post, Lobatse is your best option. The headquarters of the Botswana Meat Commission is in town.
Cumberland Hotel
Double room from P990 (R1 255); four-sleeper family room P1 110 (R1 407). Breakfast P120 (R152) per person. For dinner, order a proper Botswana steak in the restaurant. GPS: S25.20738 E25.67708 00 267 533 0281; cumberlandhotel.co.bw Kang has filling stations and a shop or three. It’s about halfway along the TransKgalagadi highway.
Kalahari Rest
There are guesthouses in Kang, but our favourite overnight spot is about 25 km north of town. At Kalahari Rest you’ll get the peace you need after a long day on the road. Pitch your tent on soft sand under camel thorn trees. Camping with power P130 (R165) per adult; P60 (R76) per child under 12. Chalet for two people P960 (R1 217) per night. Chalet for three people P1 150 (R1 458) per night. Standard twin room P850 (R1 077). There’s a swimming pool and a restaurant on site and game drives can be arranged – P100 (R131) per person. GPS: S23.52175 E22.607881 00 267 73 774 009 (Costa); kalaharirest.com; bmhe@it.bw
GHANZI
This town serves a sprawling agricultural area. It will be your base if you want to approach the Central Kalahari Game Reserve from the north-west.
Kalahari Arms Hotel
The hotel has a restaurant, a swimming pool and camping facilities. Camping P80 (R101); rooms from P860 (R1 090) per night for two adults and two children sharing. GPS: S21.69332 E21.64899 00 267 659 6298; kalahariarmshotel.com
CENTRAL KALAHARI & KHUTSE GAME RESERVES These two reserves are often
visited together. If you’re travelling from the south, you have to drive through Khutse to get to Central Kalahari. Both reserves are very wild. You need experience driving in sand – travel in a convoy in case a vehicle breaks down. Make sure you’re self-sufficient and you have enough water. Get Tracks4Africa for your GPS.
Khutse Game Reserve
Park fees: SADC residents P120 (R154) per adult; half-price for children aged 8 – 18; free for children under 8; vehicle permit P50 (R66). All camps in Khutse – Khutse Pan, Mahurushele Pan, Molose Pan, Morswe Pan and Khanke Pan – are run by Big Foot Tours. Camping costs P250 (R327) per adult per night; P125 (R164) per child under 18; free for children under 8. 00 267 395 3360; reservations@bigfoottours.co.bw; bigfoottours.co.bw
Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Park fees: SADC residents P120 (R154) per adult; half-price for children aged 8 – 18; free for kids under 8. Vehicle permit P50 (R66).
Accommodation in the reserve is managed by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) and Big Foot Tours. DWNP camps: Deception, Kori, Lengau, Western Link and Xade – camping P30 (R38) per adult per night; half-price for children aged 8 – 18; free for kids under 8. Big Foot Tours camps: Lekhubu, Letiahau, Sunday Pan, Passage Pan and Piper Pan – P250 (R327) per adult; P125 (R164) per child under 15. DWNP: 00 267 318 0774;
dwnp@gov.bw Big Foot Tours: 00 267 395 3360; reservations@bigfoottours.co.bw; bigfoottours.co.bw
Kalahari Plains Camp
This luxury camp managed by
FOR THE BRAAI
Kgalagadi Wholesale & Butchery, Bray This butchery is on the Botswana side of Bray, right next to the border post. They sell hormone-free beef steaks ripened for 21 days and you can order mutton and sosaties. Call 7 – 10 days beforehand to place your order and pick it up vacuum-packed and frozen. The same owners also have Lynn’s filling station further on, where you’ll find clean bathrooms, a shop and ice. Fuel is more affordable in Botswana so fill up here. GPS: S25.45575 E23.71181
082 577 2276 (Dorothy Marnewick); 076 197 5748 (office)