Accommodation at Mabuasehube is limited to camping. Visitors must be self- sufficient in respect of drinking water, food and fuel. Using a 4X4 is strongly advised.
The access roads to Mabuasehube Nature Reserve in the South Western corner of Botswana are sandy and at places deep two wheel tracks. A vehicle with sufficient ground clearance and preferably with four wheel drive capabilities is strongly recommended. The roads inside the Reserve range from broad, corrugated sand to tracks with high grassy centres.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Africa - South Africa and Botswana
Mabuasehube Game Reserve forms part of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, one of the largest cross border National Parks in the world (approximately 37991 km2) according to the 2004 South African National Parks Official Information Brochure titled "Kgalagadi Trans- Frontier Park". It is a arid region dotted with salty clay pans. These pans will hold water for months after rain has fallen and could, in dryer months be bare or lightly covered in grass.
Watering holes for the wildlife can be found at Mabuasehube, Mpayathutlwa and Lesholoago. These shallow wells are usually at the edge of the pans. They assist in sustaining the animals the drier months adding to the visitor's viewing experience.
A variety of animals like Oryx, Kudu, Springbuck, Steenbuck, Duiker, Blue Wildebeest, Lion, Spotted and Brown Hyena, Warthog, Bat- eared Foxes, Cheetah, Leopard, Jackal and many more small creatures inhabit the area. Birdlife is prolific and birds of prey are a common site in the Reserve.
Accomodation at Mabuasehube in Botswana
Each of the salty clay pans at Lesholoago, Mabuasehube, Monamodi, Bosobogolo, Mpayathutlwa(sometimes spelled Mpaathutlwa), Khiding and Malatso hosts at least two campsites overlooking the pan. No other form of accommodation is available. Only one party is allowed at a campsites and privacy is a given. The campsites are unfenced and without electricity, ensuring a truly wild experience.
An A-frame shelter provides shade while most - not all - sites have a cold water shower, pit latrine and a basin for washing dishes. It is advisable to enquire upon booking which of the camps have working boreholes, as these are sometimes out of order for extended periods of time resulting in a campsite without water.
There are no shops, no restaurants and no amenities close by. The closest town is Tsabong which is approximately 110 kilometers away. Visitors need to be completely self - sufficient when visiting these campsites. The water supplied at the campsites are not suitable for human consumption and enough drinking water must be brought along. Water suitable for human consumption is sometimes (not always) available at the entrance gate.
Take enough spare fuel to facilitate a return trip and plenty spare for game drives. No fuel is available at the Reserve and the sandy roads deplete fuel supplies quicker than usual.
Essential Checklist for Camping at Mabuasehube in Botswana
Besides the normal camping tips the following is essential for Mabuasehube:
· Enough drinking water for the duration of the stay and an extra day's supply
· Sufficient fuel for driving there and back
· A sturdy tent
· Food for at least a day more than the planned duration of the visit
· A strong flashlight for the evenings
· Wood or charcoal for cooking the meat as collecting wood inside the Reserve is prohibited
· Store all food inside the vehicles as not to attract unwanted visitors to the tent or campsite
· Avoid walking away from the lighted area in the dark as animals have much better night vision than humans and the Kalahari Lions are ferocious.
· Wear closed shoes or boots during the warmer months to avoid scorpion stings and snake bites.
The copyright of the article Camping at Mabuasehube Reserve, Southern Africa in Camp Sites is owned by Yolande Pienaar. Permission to republish Camping at Mabuasehube Reserve, Southern Africa in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Hi Yolande we are travelling in Sep to Mabuasehuba for the first time- we
are travelling with children ages between 6 and 13. we are obviously
concerned about unfenced camps and also we will camp on the ground as do
not want to go to expense of roof top tents. do you know of anyone i could
speak to who has done this trip with kids. we are at mabuasehuba for 2
nights and then on wilderness trail for one night and then on SA side which
i am not concerned about. Would appreciate your feedback and advice
regards sam Kalis
Mar 20, 2009 3:50 AM
Yolande Pienaar :
Hi Sam Please see the article on Camping with Children at Mabuasehube
Reserve. Should you have any more questions, please ask away. Yolande
Aug 3, 2009 6:54 AM
Guest :
Guest, Hi Yolande, we plan to travel and camp at Mabuasehuba and
Monamedi. We will be using a Toyota RAV4 and would appreciate your comments
if this (permanent 4x4) but no low range, is OK ? Please reply to:
carl.havemann@midrand-estates.co.za as well. Regards, Carl
Aug 3, 2009 7:59 AM
Yolande Pienaar :
Dear Carl
You should be fine with the RAV 4. As long as you
don't tow a heavy trailer or caravan. If you plan on entering the reserve
from Tsabong (Botswana side) you don't need to worry. The access road
between Tsabong and Mabuasehube gate is sandy, but not so bad that you need
low range - as long as you have enough ground clearance and you remember to
deflate the tires enough to compensate for driving in the sand. (Usually
around 1 -1.2 bar should do it , depending on the weight you carry)
If you plan on driving from Nossob to Mabuasehube via Matopi 1 or
2, you should preferably be two vehicles or have sufficient knowledge of
vehicle recovery to get yourself out of trouble. If enough rain fell before
your visit, the dunes would be relatively compacted by dune vegetation and
you wouldn't experience undue problems.
Do ask if you have any
more questions and enjoy the trip.
Aug 26, 2009 9:00 PM
Guest :
Hi Yolande, We are planning a camping trip through both the South African
and Botswana sides of the Kgalagadi. Besides Mabuasehube, what are the
other Botswana camp sites like? We will be in the park for about 2 weeks
and wish to visit the less visited areas. We will be in 4x4's with off road
camping trailers. All info would be appreciated. Thanks Garth
Aug 31, 2009 12:53 PM
Guest :
Hi Yolande, Three friends and I are hoping to make a stop over at your
camp site at Mabuasehube Reserve during a spontaneous tript to Namibia. If
we are coming around next week will we there be room for us to camp? How
much does it cost because we couldn't find away onto a reservation website.
Thanks!! -Lauren
Nov 9, 2009 5:40 AM
Guest :
Ek wil graag weet wat is die kortste en die beste pad vanaf Zeerust na
Mabuasehube. Dankie
Nov 9, 2009 6:36 AM
Yolande Pienaar :
Guest asked what the shortest route is from Zeerust to Mabuasehube.
The shortest route would be to use the Trans-Kalahari Highway
through Botswana and to turn left at Sekoma. Continue to Tsabong where you
then turn right again to Mabuasehube.This is the shortest route in time and
best if you plan to travel the whole distance in one day.
If you
drive a fully equipped 4x4 and are in convoy, you could take the cut-line
from Khokhotsa. This is shorter in distance, but longer in time. It is a
two-spoor track with deep ruts and plenty of Aardvark holes. You will also
have to ask around in Khokhotsa where exactly the cut - line starts as you
travel through several farms.
Up to Sekoma the road is tarred,
but it soon turns to fairly good gravel and eventually to deep sand between
Tsabong and Mabuasehube.
Oct 9, 2008
