Botswana Travel Forum

Hi there

after spending a week with the family at Kruger Park I am tempted to drive up to Botswana on my own; in a span of 8 - 10 days I'd like to visit CKGR, Makgadikgadi, Nxai and probably Khama. I have been to Africa about a dozen times , both on guided trips and self drives but it would be my first trip to Botswana so here I pose some "rookie" questions:

in general, what will the weather be like in the three parks I mentioned, what about road conditions?

my basic idea right now is to leave Jo'burg and drive up to Ghanzi via Transkalahari Highway. I'd then like to enter CKGR fom the West but I've heard the road might be tough - true? I would concentrate on the nothern part of CKGR before continue on to Mak and Nxai via Rakops, not necessarily driving all the way up to Maun. My return to Jo'burg could be via Orapa, Palapye and Gaborone.

I am not sure if I should rent a car with camping gear or stay in pre-erected camps, huts, bandas, etc...

Any thoughts on that, suggestions, corrections would be welcome

thanks

The Transkalahari is a fantastic modern highway. Take water just in case and slow down when you see shadows on the horizon. Those are donkeys, vultures, dogs, cows and a few wild animals. Just get an early start and drive as fast as you want to.

I have a good pre-erected camp on my Ghanzi page. There are 2 others, but one should be avoided....

Sorry, I don't have a Ghanzi pages yet. Its on my Botswana page.

(Need to build a Ghanzi page!)

thanks but I'd be much more interested in the answers to my other questions...I knew that the TK Highway is probably the easiest part of the trip...

Thanks. If you need any Ghanzi info, let me know and I will build you tips and post photos.

You need a 4x4 to get in the National parks. And with the regulations changing at the beginning of the year, they will not let you enter without reservations. It is generally considered good form and sensible to caravan with someone else into these remote parks. Your 4x4 should be kitted out fully for camping and you should be self contained, totally self sufficient.