Khama, Makgadikgadi & Kubu Island Family Overland

• 22 large, un-fenced campsites with fire pits, braai grids, and shade. Communal ablutions with hot showers and flush toilets (can be rustic/worn). No electricity at sites.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Yes, a community-run campsite with well-spaced sites under baobab trees.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Shaded campsites and dedicated overlander sites with power points, braai areas, and clean shared ablutions with hot showers.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• 10 designated, shaded campsites (KK01-KK10) operated by SKL Camps, featuring fire pits, braai grids, and rubbish bins.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Campsites are available with water and electricity plug points, plus shared ablution and kitchen facilities.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• No fuel in the sanctuary. Fill up in Serowe (25 km south) or Letlhakane to the north.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• None. Must carry enough fuel for deep sand and pan driving. Nearest reliable fuel is in Letlhakane or Gweta.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Available in nearby Gweta village (approx. 5km away), though Maun or Nata are more reliable for major fill-ups.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• None at camp. Nearest reliable fuel is in Rakops (approx 50km south) or Maun.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• No fuel on-site. The nearest reliable fuel is in Lephalale (70 km south) or across the border in Mahalapye, Botswana.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Water: Water taps are available at each campsite.
• Food: On-site restaurant and bar. Small shop sells firewood, ice, drinks, and very basic provisions. Stock up on groceries in Serowe.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Water: None. Campers must be 100% self-sufficient and bring all drinking and washing water.
• Food: None. Bring all supplies.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Water: Potable water is available at the campsite.
• Food: Excellent on-site restaurant serving Pan-African cuisine and a bar. Basic supplies can be found in Gweta.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Water: Tap water is available at the ablutions but has a strong sulfur smell and is NOT potable. Bring all drinking water.
• Food: None. Fully self-sufficient catering is required.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Water: Potable water is available at the campsites and the main lodge.
• Food: The lodge serves dinner and breakfast (must be pre-booked). Limited self-catering facilities are available. Stock up on groceries in Lephalale before arriving.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Park entry fees (approx. 90-115 BWP per adult and per vehicle) plus camping fees apply. Payable at the gate, but advance booking is advised for peak seasons.
• Open year-round. The sanctuary is heavily guarded by the Botswana Defence Force for anti-poaching. Booking ahead is highly recommended during South African school holidays.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Camping and monument entry fees apply. Bookings are managed by the Gaing O Community Trust. Permits can be obtained and paid for at the office in Mmatshumo village on the southern approach.
• Managed by the Gaing O Community Trust. Access is strictly seasonal; the island is completely inaccessible during the wet season when the pans flood. Visitors must check in and pay fees, often at Mmatshumo village.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• No permits are required to stay at the lodge or campsite. Camping rates are typically around $10-$15 USD (or equivalent in Pula) per person per night. Park fees only apply if you do self-drive excursions into the Makgadikgadi or Nxai Pan National Parks.
• Open year-round. Located just off the main A3 highway between Maun and Nata. The turnoff is clearly marked by a giant aardvark sculpture.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Campsite must be booked and paid in advance through SKL Camps. Additionally, daily park entry and vehicle fees must be paid to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP). The ferry crossing requires cash (approx P150 per vehicle).
• Access from the west requires crossing the Boteti River. If flowing, a hand-pulled ferry is used (approx P150 cash). If dry, you drive across the riverbed. If water levels are too low for the ferry but too muddy to drive, you must detour via the Phuduhudu Gate on the main highway.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Standard nightly rates apply for camping and lodge accommodation. All extras must be settled in cash or via EFT before departure. No special permits are required to access the lodge.
• Open year-round to paying guests. Advance booking is recommended for camping and rooms. Note that private drinks are not allowed in the main lodge, dining, or pool areas.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• High-clearance vehicles are required for the internal sandy tracks. 4x4 is highly recommended, though a 2x4 with a diff-lock and deflated tires can manage in the dry season.
• Tarred A14 highway right to the main gate. Internal park roads are unpaved sandy tracks with a high middle 'mannetjie' (center ridge).
• Accessible year-round. Dry season (May-Oct) is best for wildlife viewing around waterholes. Winter nights (June-Aug) drop to freezing. Wet season (Dec-Mar) makes sandy tracks muddy and more challenging.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• A high-clearance 4x4 is absolutely mandatory. Do not attempt in a 2WD or standard AWD vehicle.
• Approached via sandy, rutted two-track dirt roads that transition into driving directly on the salt pan crust. Extremely dusty in the dry season and impassable, wheel-sucking mud in the wet season.
• Accessible only during the dry season (typically May to October). The wet season (November to April) turns the pans into an impassable, flooded muddy bog.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• The lodge and campsite are easily accessible by standard 2WD vehicles. However, a 4x4 is strictly required if you plan to drive yourself onto the nearby Makgadikgadi Pans.
• A short, easy dirt and gravel track leads from the tarred A3 highway to the camp. The A3 itself is tarred but frequently suffers from potholes and loose stones.
• The camp is open year-round. The dry season (May to October) is best for pan excursions and quad biking. During the wet season (December to April), the nearby salt pans turn into impassable mud, though the lodge remains accessible.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• A reliable 4x4 with low range is required for the deep sand tracks and the riverbed crossing.
• Deep sand tracks typical of Botswana parks, combined with a steep or muddy riverbank approach depending on the Boteti's water level.
• The Boteti River's water levels fluctuate depending on rains and Okavango Delta outflows. The dry season (May to October) is best for the zebra migration congregating at the river. Summer months are exceptionally hot.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Accessible by all standard 2WD vehicles, though drivers should remain vigilant for potholes on the R510 approach.
• Accessed via the R510 from Lephalale (70 km away). The road is tarred, but the final 20 km stretch is known to have significant potholes.
• Accessible year-round. Summers are very hot with potential for heavy rains (January-March), which can occasionally cause the Limpopo River to flood and temporarily close the nearby Stockpoort border post. Winters are mild and dry.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Cellular reception is patchy to non-existent in the campsites. Rely on satellite comms or offline maps.
• Bring a tire deflator and air compressor for the sandy internal tracks. Self-recovery gear (traction boards, shovel) is advised if exploring the quieter, deeper sand loops.
• Deep sand on internal tracks requires tire deflation to avoid getting stuck.
• Unfenced campsites mean wildlife (including rhinos and antelope) frequently wander through camp.
• Malaria risk is present, particularly during the wet season (October to April).
• Botswana veterinary fences/checkpoints on surrounding highways may confiscate raw meat.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• No reliable cell reception. A satellite phone or two-way satellite messenger is highly recommended.
• Self-recovery capabilities are essential. Bring traction boards, a shovel, a heavy-duty jack, and an air compressor. Towing from the pans is astronomically expensive and difficult.
• Breaking through the salt pan crust into deep, inescapable mud.
• Extreme heat and sun exposure during summer months.
• Severe isolation with no water or passing traffic if broken down.
• Deep sand and severe corrugations on the approach tracks.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Free Wi-Fi is available at the main reception and bar area. Cell signal (Mascom/BTC) is generally reliable due to the proximity to Gweta.
• Self-recovery gear is not needed to reach the lodge. However, if venturing onto the Makgadikgadi Pans, deep mud in the wet season or soft sand in the dry season requires full recovery gear (traction boards, kinetic ropes, spades) and ideally traveling in a convoy.
• The A3 highway between Nata and Maun is notorious for severe potholes, roaming livestock, and occasional washouts during heavy rains.
• Veterinary checkpoints on the A3 (such as between Maun and Planet Baobab) strictly enforce foot-and-mouth disease protocols; they will confiscate raw meat and require shoe and vehicle tire disinfection.
• Elephants and other wildlife occasionally roam near the camp boundaries.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Cellular reception is generally poor to non-existent in the park. Satellite communication devices are highly recommended.
• Self-recovery gear is essential, including a compressor, tire deflator, kinetic rope, and traction boards for deep sand. Traveling in a convoy is advisable but not strictly mandatory for experienced drivers.
• Deep sand tracks requiring deflated tires and recovery gear.
• Unfenced camp with dangerous wildlife (elephants, lions, hippos) roaming freely.
• Non-potable tap water with high sulfur content.
• Unpredictable river crossing conditions depending on seasonal flooding.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08

• Cellular reception is generally available but can be intermittent or accidentally switch to Botswana roaming networks due to the immediate proximity to the border.
• Low risk of getting stuck on the main access roads. In the event of a breakdown, towing and recovery services would need to be dispatched from Lephalale (70 km away).
• Potholes on the R510 approach road from Lephalale.
• Occasional flooding of the Limpopo River during heavy summer rains can impact border crossings.
• Wildlife and livestock on the approach roads, making night driving dangerous.
• Proximity to the river means mosquitoes are present; insect repellent is highly recommended.

Confidence: high · 2026-09-08