Need Help with Travel from Francistown to Kubu Island

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Need Help with Travel from Francistown to Kubu Island

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Need Help with Travel from Francistown to Kubu Island

posted at 9/9/2009 6:28 AM EDT

ks192003

Posts: 1
First: 9/9/2009
Last: 9/9/2009

I'm planning to visit Kubu Island in Botswana. I plan to go via Francistown because apparently that is the best route, if you're traveling via Johannesburg, SA. Although the country I live in neighbours Botswana, I've never been there and know rather little about the country. I'm struggling to find good routes/maps from Francistown to Kubu Island -- perhaps it's due to my innate poor traveling and planning skills; or because I don't want my trip to encounter too many surprises .i.e. being stuck in Mmatshumo without petrol and not knowing how to get any. This leads me to what specifically I am battling to find:

1. Recommended places to stay in Francistown -- I like quirky places, but cleanliness is important

2. Good Routes and information from Francistown to Kubu Island -- What can I expect on the way? Are there many gas stations on the way; or is there somewhere specific that I need to fill up?

3. Any interesting stops on the way?

Any help would really be appreciated, this is the first time I'm planning a trip and, basically, I'm not that good -- yet.

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Re: Need help with trip from Francistown to Kubu Island

posted at 1/4/2010 5:15 PM EST

BotswanaTraveler

Posts: 2
First: 1/4/2010
Last: 1/4/2010

For those who don't know, Kubu Island in Botswana is one of the most remote places on earth. An ancient island on the Makgadikgadi pans, one can travel here with a 4x4 vehicle and camp in total solitude, with nothing but baobab and acacia trees and the vast nothingness of the salt pans around them. However, since Kubu Island is an extremely remote location, one must be well equipt to make the journey as it is several hundred kilometers from fuel or fresh water. Additionally, if the pans are even slightly wet, this trip should not be attempted as the clay mud in the pans is nearly impossible to escape from once a vehicle is stuck. I wouldn't reccomend making this trip with anything less than a 2 vehicle convoy with full recovery equipment. That being said, at the end of the dry season, like September or early October, in a normal year (i.e. not 2009) one could conceivably drive there in a 2 wheel drive car as the pans are a smoother driving surface than most highways. Now, for your questions:

1. I've never been to Francistown, so I can't help you much here.

2. Buy a Shell Tourist Map (available at most touristy shops and bookstores in Botswana or at http://www.omnimap.com/catalog/int/botswana.htm . There are directions to Kubu here: http://www.botswana-travel-guide.com/bradt_guide.asp?bradt=792 and at http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/attractions/kubu_island.html

I very much recommend you obtain a GPS unit for this trip and load it with the Tracks4Africa map of Botswana. It is worth it. See http://www.botswanatraveler.com/2009/10/21/affordable-gps-basemap-for-botswana/

From Francistown, the place to stock up on fuel is Nata. Bring extra Jerry Cans and fill them here. From the south, there may be fuel at Orapa or Mopipi, but I wouldn't count on it. Bring enough fuel to make the round trip to and from Francistown.

Expect livestock on the road.

3. There's not much in this area except for the spectacular pans. The Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Serowe is an amazing place to see Rhinos and I highly recommend it. The Nata Bird Sanctuary is also quite nice. However, I'd stop at these on my way back as you may spend all day just trying to find Kubu Island. You are advised to give yourself as much time as possible when trying to make the trip there!

Good luck!

The BotswanaTraveler
http://www.botswanatraveler.com

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