tockoloshe

Hi
I've seen a few references to Khwai Community Campsite, and understand that it's near Khwai Village and outside North Gate ... does anyone know if you can just turn up at this campsite without a booking? And what are the facilities like? In common with many others we can't get reservations for campsites in the National Park so is this a good alternative?
Also, can anyone tell me if campsites outside the park like Mankwe would turn you away if they are full - there seem to be few alternatives nearby and we wouldn't fancy driving on to Maun in the dark. Do people just bush camp if there's no space in an official campsite?
Thanks in advance for any advice!

wildcatzoo

I don't know about turning up without a reservation, I wouldn't even know who to contact there at north gate, there weren't many buildings - one store with food & drinks, maybe they would know who to contact. There are no facilities, you have to carry in everything you need. All the groups I saw when we were there were with mobile safari operators.

luangwablondes

You can turn up without a reservation at Kwai Community campsite. To my knowledge, there isn't a way to contact them otherwise.

The campsites are basic. Do not bush camp anywhere near the North gate and villages as they aren't going to be nice about it. Its tribal land. They will still expect to be paid wherever you camp. Kwai is not North Gate or in the park so the clock is not clicking on park fees.Depending on the time of year, ellies maybe seen more in that area of the Kwai river then in the park.

Get a map capable garmin gps and Tracks4Africa digital maps for it. T4A has Botswana covered quite well, and is autorouteable now- even on tracks.

You are not alone in not being able to get reservations. But, you can try to call when you arrive. Stop at the Maun or Kasane office when there and see if they can help. At the gates, once in awhile they try to help depending on their mood and you, and radio to see if a campsite has opened.

tockoloshe

Thanks for the info on the Khwai campsite, a relief to know there is somewhere to camp. We don't intend to bush camp, in fact prefer not to, but were worried about turning up towards the end of the day and not finding anything.
Can anyone answer my question about private campsites (like Mankwe)in general ... are they often full (in Sept) and would they turn you away or find you a spot?
We'll certainly try the park offices when we arrive to check availabilty. I've seen in other forums that they'll let you stay in Savuti in a kind of 'overflow' campsite if you turn up late (and beg!), can anyone confirm this? It's a risky strategy if they won't let you stay.
We're already tooled up with a new GPS unit, just need to learn how to use it now! Have seen the T4A website,looks very good, and we've already got the Shell maps so will get down to some serious planning now.
Thanks again for advice, any more comments welcome, as well as photos of Khwai if anyone has some to share.

luangwablondes

Just pitch up at Savuti with a good attitude and they'll send you over to the old campsite(overflow). No need to beg, just be nice. Mankwe has a website, so you can email them anytime. They do get full periodically, so its not wise to just drive all the way over there to pitch up. Rumour has it, closeby to Mankwe there is another campsite that is opening soon. By July, coordinates should be available.

tockoloshe

Thanks again Luangwablondes, that's good to know about Savuti. Will keep an eye open for news of new camp - if anyone hears about it they'll hopefully write about it on the forum.
Back to the maps, only 5 months to go but planning is part of the fun!

cruisinred

tockoloshe-

If you don't mind me asking, are you going in August or September?
Just wondering as I have a reservation for 3 nights in mid-Sept at national parks campsites in Bots, but I won't be able to go
If the dates jive, perhaps we could look into tranferring the reservation to you?

tockoloshe

Hi cruisinred
That would be great if it worked. We'll be in that area from about 25th Aug to 14th Sept, so 14th would be last night we could do in the parks. You can email me directly if you like on [email protected]