Email communication possible:
Wildlife Viewing around the Town of Khwai:
 How it works: People in the town of Khwai are
eager to conduct game walks and night drives for wildlife viewing. Xamotese and Zou camps
have bathing and toilet facilities, a kitchen and a place to put up tents. People in
Khwai make jewelry, baskets such as the one shown at the right, and other curios. Members
of the Khwai community have come together to form a traditional dance troup that can
present its culture to visitors. Traditional food you can enjoy includes guinea fowl and
water lilly stew.
Getting there:
Contact: The Khwai Development Trust is at P.O. Box 657/ Maun, BOTSWANA/ Tel:
(267)660 791, Fax: (267)662 671. You can also email AfricanFishEagle@yahoo.com OR browner_bw@yahoo.com OR merafekhwai@yahoo.com
The trust also produces a web site at http://www.khwai.org/
Explore Local Wildlife and San (Bushman) Culture
 How
it works: The Dqae Qare Bushman Community Game Farm, a view of which is shown at
the right, is a project set up to specifically assist the San (Bushmen) adjust to
the economic and social changes affecting them. With their indigenous knowledge of the
Kalahari and their legendary tracking ability, you can learn to see a bit of the world
through their eyes. Bushman guides introduce you to the infinite variety of plants, seeds,
berries and roots of the veld that have been used by them for countless generations. They
will also tell you about the different animal tracks, their spoor and which species of
game prefer which environment etc. At the farm there is extremely comfortable guest room
accommodation, each room with an en-suite bathroom. There are also camping facilities at a
secluded, shady area of the farm near a natural water pan. Here there are water taps and
ablution facilities complete with hot and cold water showers.
Getting there: The farm is situated on the Ghanzi - Maun road, 22 Km
North of Ghanzi and 11 Km South of the village of D'Kar.
Contact: Dqae Qare Game Farm/ Box 219/ Ghanzi, Botswana/ Tel/fax: 00 267
596574/ e-mail: dqae@info.bw . There's a web site at http://www.kalaharicraft.com/game_farm.htm
Various Wildlife-Viewing and Cultural Programs
at Xai Xai:
How it works: The Ju/'hoansi, or "the real people," still
lead rather traditional lives. In their land you take horseback safaris through the Aha
Hills. There are cultural tours with nights in grass huts. and exploring the Gchiwaba
Caves.
Getting there: Xai Xai can be reached by a one hour plane ride from Maun
or an eight hour drive (4 x 4 required).
Contact: Email xaixaibw@yahoo.com
There's also a web site with some pictures at http://www.xaixai.org/
Various Cultural Experiences at Sankuyo:
How it works: Sankuyo is a small BaYei village on the fringes of the
Okavango Delta. Here you can watch and participate in dancing, learn how to trap, weave a
basket and have the traditional healer "throw the bones" and tell you your
fortune. Possibly if you can see videos of the Ba Yei dancing by clicking on the
following: dance 1
dance 2
For a very reasonable price you can have hot showers and sweet running water. There are
five large, private campsites for 30 pula ($6) per night with children under 15 staying
for free. There are also four bedded fondavels with two beds each in them. Kaziikini has a
bar and a restaurant offering a range of traditional to european meals. There is a
supervised playground and guided game walks and self-drive game drives for very reasonable
fees.
Getting there: A free daily shuttle service runs to and from Maun or you
can drive the 65 KM from Maun or the 28KM to Moremi Southgate.
Contact: Phone: (267) 665126. Email pantrust@info.bw
There's another web page at http://www.duke.edu/~sas21/sankuyo.html
Visit a Rhinoceros Sanctuary
 How it works: If you want to drive through a lot
of pretty country, this is a good destination.
Getting there: Khama Rhino Sanctuary is situated on the main road between
Serowe and Orapa. Travelling from Serowe, it's about 25km, turn off north to Orapa before
the village (on the Palapye road) or opposite the Mall. From Orapa follow the road south
for about 180km.
Contact: Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust/ PO Box 10/ Serowe, Botswana/ Tel:
(+267) 430713/ Fax: (+267) 435808/ E-mail: krst@botsnet.bw
There's a web site at http://www.khamarhinosanctuary.org/
Phone/Fax communication only
Wildlife Viewing from Dugout Canoe in the
Okavango Delta:
How it works: The "Okavango Polers Trust in Seronga"
operates a campsite in NG12, north of the Okavango Delta, and "polers" pole
dugout canoes through the wildlife-rich Okavango Delta wetlands. Most people travel by mokoro
(dugout canoe) for a few days from Seronga, camp on one of the many islands in the delta,
and go on game walks with their guide. Your trip can be as long or as short as you
wish. Currently Mbiroba camp has pit latrines, bucket showers and a night guard. You can
arrange with the office to have traditional meals. The meals are prepared by the women of
Seronga and vary with the seasons. A typical meal would consist of fish or meat, cabbage,
waterlilly stew and traditional beer (tastes like fruit punch).For larger groups,
traditional dancing can also be arranged. The men and women of Seronga would love to share
parts of their culture with you through dance and song. The songs are a mix of SeYei,
Hambukushu and Setswana. Botswana baskets typically take a week or more to make and are
some of the best in the world.
Getting there:You can get to Seronga via Shakawe. For the road from the
ferry crossing north of Shakawe to Seronga, a 4x4 vehicle is advisable.
Contact: For more information and bookings, phone/fax (267) 676861.
There's also a web site at http://www.mokoro.org/
Just Show Up
Birding and Camping at Nata: Nata and surrounding communities have
established the Nata Sanctuary, east of Nata on the Francistown Road. It offers a camping
site and bird watching at the Makgadikgadi Pans for travellers to/from Maun or Kasane.
Camping and Guided Tours:
Kubu Island is a well known tourism destination at the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans. The
site and camping ground is presently managed by the Mmatshumo community. Guiding tours
around the island are available at request. 4x4 vehicles are required to reach the island.
Camping by A Forest Reserve: In the Chobe Enclave,
at Kavimba village, on the dirt road (4x4 vehicles are required) between Kasane and Maun,
the community has established a campsite on the edge of the Chobe Forest Reserve.
Community Campsites: Campsites have been established in
Ukhwi, Ngwatle and Ncaang in the southwestern part of Botswana for the more adventurous
4x4 traveller who does not like to book a campsite in advance.
Campsite and Traditional Community: The Sankuyo
Tshwaragano Management Trust has developed a campsite and traditional village 25 kms south
of Sankuyo on the road to Savuti and Moremi game reserve. The campsite is operational and
properly indicated with road signs (70 kms north of Maun). |