Trips from Gaborone

Hello, and welcome to Gaborone, the capital of Botswana. Botswana is a truly world-class tourist destination, with some
exceptional wildlife destinations within its borders. Sadly, for those of us living in Gabs, these destinations are at least a
days drive away, if not two, making them impractical to visit for a weekend unless you incur the hefty costs of flying.
However all is not lost. There are loads of destinations within striking distance of Gabs that can be visited for a weekend,
or even a day trip. Some are in Botswana, whilst many more are over the border in South Africa. Sadly the guidebooks
overlook both southern Botswana, and the nearby parts of Limpopo and North-west Province. Internet resources are also
rather patchy.
This guide has been written to fill in the gaps, supplementing your Bradts, Rough Guides and Lonely Planets. It is based
on personal experience from 2 years of living in Gaborone and exploring the surroundings during the weekends. You will
get more out of this guide if you enjoy the outdoors, and a sturdy high-clearance vehicle is also useful.

1.

Day trips from Gaborone ..................................................................................... 2

2.

Weekend trips .................................................................................................... 7

Heading North ............................................................................................. 7
Heading East .............................................................................................. 10
Heading Southeast ...................................................................................... 14
Other destinations ....................................................................................... 16

3.

Madikwe Game Reserve and Day Trips ................................................................. 17

4.

Ideas for a long weekend ................................................................................... 20

5.

Hints & Tips ...................................................................................................... 22

6.

City Guide ........................................................................................................ 25

7.

Maps and Routes ............................................................................................... 27

1

1. Day trips from Gaborone

Name

Directions, distance,
websites

Description

Price

Day Trips - Botswana

Old Palapye

Deep in the bush, Old Palapye is a fascinating remnant

of modern Botswanas early history. Reading up on
the London Missionary Society before your arrival is
recommended:
http://www.jstor.org/stable/41236043
Old Palapye can be combined with Moremi Gorge to
make a good weekend adventure.

288km from Gabs. A 4x4 or

bakkie is recommended. There
is a lot of sand to tackle once you
get off the tarmac. Possible to
park on tarmac and walk, but
plan your walking route with a
GPS.

Free

https://goo.gl/UaAJke

Aloe Forest

Listed in the Botswana Lonely Planet (although

incorrectly marked on the map) the Aloe Forest is
about 40km from Gabs on the Molopolole road and
makes for a nice picnic destination. Take along a
garden fork and a bucket and you can even bring back
a water-wise souvenir to plant in your garden!

40km from Gaborone on the road

to Molepolole (passing the Grand
Palm hotel). The forest is
visible both sides of the road, but
you can go through the gate at 24.4550, 25.6504 and follow
the track to a suitable spot.

Free

Springboard
Humanism Cafe
(Molepolole)

Nice for a Sunday afternoon, the Springboard

Humanism Cafe serves up tea and cake, sometimes
with a storytelling or other activity.

About 54km from Gabs. Take the

Molepolole road to Molepolole,
just as you enter the town, take
the first left on to the B111. Its
about 1.7km further on the right
hand side (signposted)

Tea and cake

for around
P25.

http://springboard-humanism.org/
Tel: 74491064 or 5915400

https://goo.gl/TTZjld

Phataletshaba
Gorges

Mentioned on page 161 of Guide to Gaborone by

Campbell & Main, Phataletshaba makes for a nice walk
in the bush. The gorge itself has a seasonal stream
running through it that waters lots of trees and is cool
& fresh in contrast to the usual Botswana bush heat.
A good destination for a summer picnic.
http://www.botswanabeckons.com/publications/books
/item/guide-to-greater-gaborone

51km from Gabs, just south of

Thamaga. Youll need a high
clearance vehicle to get here.
Follow the track on Google Maps:

Free

https://goo.gl/wtn10G
to the Sebilong Mine and start
your walk from there. A Google
Earth kml file is available here
http://goo.gl/zkRnpk

Monalanong Hill
(highest point in
Botswana)

Mount Otse (climb to

the top)

Mount Otse
(Segorong gorge)

At 1,409 metres above sea level this hill, or rather

plateau, is only a 40 minutes drive from Gabs and
offers an invigorating day hike. However getting to
the top is a challenge - there is no path on the way up
so some bushwacking is required (see hints and
tips). Once up on top the views are excellent, and the
going is easier. Takes 6 hours to go up and down at a
relaxed pace.

45 km from Gaborone, head

south from Game City toward
Boatle, turn right and pass
through Boatle village down a
sandy track to the right of the
hill.

The second or third highest point in Botswana (1,407

metres) is an easier hike with better views than
Monalanong, but some bushwacking is still involved.
Mount Otse has a bit of folklore adding to the hills
character. Takes 5 hours to go up and down.

53km from Gabs. Head south

from Game City and park near
the Otse Shell filling station.
Cross the A1 and walk up the
farmers track to start the walk.

Can have breakfast or post hike tea at the Campshill

Garden Centre

https://goo.gl/UZFPnv

On the north side of Mount Otse is a signposted gorge

and stream that makes a nice destination for a stroll
and a picnic, especially as an escape from the summer
heat. May not be possible to drive to the gorge
following the Google Maps route, you may have to
park on the A1 and walk.

50km from Gabs, unglamorously

situated behind the Otse Police
Training College. Park on the A1
near -25.00328, 25.74635 and
follow the track. There may be
signposts.

https://goo.gl/q3DbtF

https://goo.gl/cZJFyx

Free

Free

Free

Mogonye Gorges*

Near Boatle and Monalanong Hill, the Mogonye Gorges

are now part of a somewhat unsatisfactory community
tourism development, with a guided tour at P75 per
person required. See Tripadvisor for peoples
experiences.

43 km from Gaborone, head

south from Game City toward
Boatle, turn right and pass
through Boatle village.

P75 per
person for a
short (1 hour)
guided walk.

https://goo.gl/KatcpO

http://www.botswanabeckons.com/places/placessouthern/places-ramotswa/item/mogonye-gorge

Bathoen Dam
(Kanye)

Built pre-independence to provide water to Kanye, the

dam is a nice spot for a picnic, with plenty of trees to
shield you from the sun.

86km from Gabs, about a 90

minute drive. Go past Thamaga
en route to Kanye, turn left at
the roundabout before Kanye,
and turn right at the crossroads
signposted for Kanye (left for
Ranaka). About 4km on gravel.

Free

https://goo.gl/A2ccpa

Jwaneng Diamond
Mine

Debswana is keen to show a positive face to the world,

and these free tours are part of its marketing strategy.
The highlight is seeing the main pit, and the scale of
both the machinery and the hole is quite staggering.
Photography is restricted. There is also the Jwaneng
Game Reserve, although it is unclear if this is open as
of 2015.

165km / 3 hour drive from

Gaborone. You need to book a
place on a tour with the
Corporate Affairs Dept, who
require about 10 days notice. If
you are a small group you can
join a larger tour.

http://www.debswana.com/Operations/Pages/MineVisits.aspx

https://goo.gl/gmzsco

Free

Day Trips South Africa

Lunch at Madikwena
Crocodile Inn

Day trips to South Africa from Gaborone are feasible, although you need to prepare yourself: turn on
roaming on your phone, fill your tank with cheap Botswana fuel, withdraw some Rand beforehand and
take a credit card. Also build in some flexibility to your timetable in case there is a long queue at the
Tlokweng border.
Fancy eating crocodile for lunch? This restaurant is
attached to a working crocodile farm where you can
watch the little blighters lazing in the sunshine whilst
you eat one of their cousins (or beef, chicken etc.). It
is a good idea to phone in advance to check they are
open, and if they have croc on the menu.
http://www.madikwena.co.za/

Molatedi Dam

+27 (0)87 820 3746, +27 (0)83

293 7090
https://goo.gl/jyJb86

Built during the heyday of the Bophuthatswana

homeland, Molatedi dam makes a good destination for
a picnic. You can visit the dam wall itself (where there
is a dedicated braai area) or explore the waters edge,
where you may see flamingos wading the shallows.
https://goo.gl/YyeDG4

Kaditshwene ruins

About 120km from Gabs,

crossing the Tlokweng border
and taking the Groot Marico
D1339 shortcut road

Quite extraordinary remains of a pre-colonial iron age

town out in what is now bushveld on the way to
Zeerust. The town was visited in 1820 by John
Campbell of the London Missionary Society and
described in his book Travels in South Africa. The
site is still undergoing research by the University of
Pretoria. It is now on private land, with the owners
running a (rather unsuccessful) lodge, but there is a
small museum and you can wander around the
remains. Worth reading the links below before you
visit. Take study walking shoes.
http://kaditshweneheritage.co.za/

Restaurant is
reasonably
priced. They
take credit
cards, but
bring Rand in
cash as a
backup

About 120km from Gabs. Cross at the

Sikwane border and follow the road south
for 38km until the T-junction at the end.
Turn right toward Molatedi. For the dam
wall continue through Molatedi, then turn
left following the signs for the dam. For
the waters edge, turn left at Molatedi and
head south. There are 2 overgrown bush
tracks down to the water (4x4 needed).
Cross at Tlokweng and head
toward Zeerust. After 74 km at
turn left at the Enselsberg sign.
After 8.5km turn right at the T
junction, after 3 km you will see
a sign for Ancient City on the
right.
https://goo.gl/SbC9k2
http://www.kaditshwene.com/
http://www.safarinow.com/go/an
cientcityzeerust/

Free

Free to visit
the ruins,
although a tip
to your guide
is
recommended

Willie Bruyns
Transport Museum

Remarkable collection of vintage cars from Detroits

golden age, randomly assembled outside Rustenburg.
Chevrolets, Cadillacs and Chryslers dating from the
1920s though to the 1970s.
Can visit as a day trip but it is a 3 hour drive each way
perhaps make it part of a weekend excursion.
+27832368140

Turn off the N4 by Rustenburgs

Waterfall Mall on to the R24
south. After 8 km turn left at the
Woza Woza Meat Market. Take
the next left on to a dirt road
(you should see a sign for the
museum). Then take the 2nd
right and follow the road.

Free. Its a
private
collection.
Good to
phone before
to check a
visit will be
OK

https://goo.gl/hJXPf3

Mafikeng / Mahikeng

This town, 150km south of Gaborone, has a colourful history; it was once the capital of what is now
Botswana, and was the setting for a famous Boer War siege. Today the town is a little scruffy, but there
is enough to see and do to keep the visitor satisfied for a weekend. Potentially Mafikeng could be visited
as a day trip, but it is more relaxed to stay overnight.
1) Mafikeng museum. Situated bang in the middle
of town. Of interest to those with an historical bent.
Read up on the siege of Mafikeng beforehand. BadenPowells dispatches report is particularly entertaining.
+27 18 381 0773
http://www.thedump.scoutscan.com/siegereport.pdf
2) Mafikeng / Mmabatho Stadium. Listed as one
of the worlds most bizarre football stadiums, with a
59,000 capacity. Politely ask the guard to be shown
around (give a tip) or try and see the 2nd division
North-West University Soccer Institute play a match.
http://www.oddee.com/item_97059.aspx
https://www.facebook.com/pages/NWU-SoccerInstitute/280782531935530

8am to 4pm Monday-Friday

10am 12.30pm Saturdays.
Closed Sundays. This means
you have to either arrive Friday
night, or making an early start
on Saturday morning.
Located in Mmabatho, north of
down-town Mafikeng. The
stadium is so big you cant miss
it. Note that NWU play most of
their matches at the Mafikeng
Campus Sports fields
https://goo.gl/H6h6UV

Free /
donation
appreciated

Free. A tip of
R20-R50 to
the guard
would be
appreciated

3) Mafikeng Game Reserve. Superb self-drive

reserve and a great place to see white rhino.
http://www.tourismnorthwest.co.za/mafikeng-gamereserve/

4) Buffalo Lodge restaurant. Looking for a huge

honest steak and chips? Dine in this thatched
restaurant. Beef Baron quality at a third of the price.

Entrance is off Shippard Street

(R49) / Jacaranda Street
(Jacaranda Ave in Google Maps).
+ 27(0)18 3971675 /6 /7

59 Molopo Road
+27 (0)18 3812159
http://www.buffalolodge.co.za/

About R40R50 per car.

Open sunrise
to sunset 7
days a week
Around R100
per person for
a full meal

2. Weekend trips
Heading North

Heading north on the A1 for a weekend trip usually means a long drive at least 270km in
each direction most destinations are in Botswana however so you save time on not crossing
the border. Make sure your vehicle is set for a long drive check the oil, pump the tires, and
have enough fuel to get you to Mahalapye.

Botswana
Khama Rhino
Sanctuary

Im sure you already know about this place, which is a

popular overnight stop for Gautengers en route to the
Delta, hence booking in advance is recommended.
Chalets and camping available. The restaurant is not
up to much, better to braai.
If your sole aim is to see rhino Mafikeng Game Reserve
is an easier and cheaper option.
(+267) 4630713, (+267) 4600204, (+267) 73965655
http://www.khamarhinosanctuary.org.bw/

340km from Gaborone. Go to

Palapye, then Sewore, and
keep going toward Orapa.
Inside the reserve it is sandy
you can get to the
accommodation in a saloon,
but forget about touring the
park in anything other than a
4x4.
https://goo.gl/kvMoGx

Approx P700
for entrance
& chalet per
night.
See website
for detailed
pricing.

Stevensford Game
Reserve

One of the few private reserves in Botswana near

Gaborone. Pleasant self catering lodge on the Limpopo.
Can go cycling and walking. Quite expensive in
comparison to South African lodges, but you dont have
the hassle of crossing the border.
http://www.stevensfordgamereserve.com/

343 kms from Gabs. Go

through Mahalapye and head
for the Martinsdrift border.
Turn left onto the dirt road
10km before the border.
Drive 13 kms along the dirt
road to the entrance gates.

From P560 for

a 1 bed chalet

https://goo.gl/PRWqab

Goo-Moremi Gorge &

Chalets

Lotsane Safaris*

Revamped in 2013 Moremi Gorge is quite delightful by

southern Botswana standards. The gorge has a yearround water flow and is a great way to escape the
summer heat. There is a colony of breeding cape
vultures also, so bring your binoculars. Timing your visit
with breeding season is a good idea. The chalets are
superb although they risk slowly falling in to disrepair
so go sooner rather than later. No braaiing due to the
risk of starting a bush fire, but the chalets have very
fancy gas barbeques for you to grill your meat.
Camping also available. Can combine with a visit to the
ruined LMS church in Old Palapye.

340km / 3.5 hour drive from

Gabs doable in a saloon in
dry season.

Located between Sherwood and Zanzibar in the Tuli

block this hunting lodge is situated on the banks of the
Lotsane River, 800 metres from the Limpopo. The
lodge offers walking safaris, swimming, fishing and
game drives. The restaurant serves up buffet meals.

377km from Gabs, further

down the road from
Stevensford.

Not the easiest place to find.

Head to Moremi village, then
turn right at the small sign,
and follow the track, and
more small signs, crossing a
bridge.

1 bed chalets
P600 + P40
entrance per
person

https://goo.gl/zsGviR
http://goo-moremigorge.com/

https://goo.gl/KRhlQw

Double room
from P450
pps exc.
meals.

http://lotsane.com/en/ +27 82 97 97 999

Vegro Game Farm*

Out in the bush between Mahalapye and Martinsdrift

Vegro offers safari tent bush camping on the banks of
the Limpopo. Booking through SafariNow appears the
best option. Walking, cycling and braaiing possible.
http://www.safarinow.com/go/vegrogamefarm/

283km from Gaborone. Go

through Mahalapye and head
for Machaneng, turn right at
the T-junction after
Machaneng towards Makwate
/ Parrs Halt, Vegro is 10km
down the gravel road.
https://goo.gl/HHuuHv

P250 per
person

South Africa
Sebe Sebe Lodge
(South Africa)

A very nice private game reserve on the banks of the

Limpopo. Range of accommodation available. Can selfcater or have dinner request the impala pie before
you visit, it is exceptional!

280km from Gaborone w.

46km on OK gravel. Head
north out of Gabs and turn on
to the B147 at Mahalapye,
after 23km turn right on to
the Makwate gravel road,
crossing in to South Africa at
Parrs Halt. The lodge is a
10km drive from the border
on tarmac. The lodge is not
signposted so take a GPS.
https://goo.gl/6qg44R

From R750 to
R1,500 for a
unit.

http://fahadgamereserve.co.za/

313km from Gabs going via

Mahalapye and crossing at
Parrs Halt. 415km if going
via Martins Drift and avoiding
the gravel road.

+27 87 813 0685, +27 86 551 0428

https://goo.gl/qzTdRo

3 lodges to
choose from.
From R500
pppn
minimum
group size of
4.

700 hectare game farm on the banks of the Limpopo

river. Hiking and birding possible. Oryx, sable,
wildebeest, red hartebeest, giraffe, eland, and zebra to
be seen.

327km from Gabs going via

Mahalapye and crossing at
Parrs Halt.

Lodge is good for cycling and walking, with giraffe, kudu

and other buck in abundance. Dont be put off by the
awful photo on SafariNow.
http://www.sebesebelodge.co.za/
+27 83 456 6940 , +27 83 456 6940

Fahad Game
Reserve*

Tweerivier Game
Farm*

A little way past Sebe Sebe lodge this semi-luxury lodge

is on the banks of the Limpopo. Looks nice.

http://tweerivier.com/

https://goo.gl/mguEKW
259km if taking Route A and
taking the back roads through
Limpopo.

reservations@tweerivier.com
+27 828294832

https://goo.gl/TdgUGV

From R500
per person
per night, self
catering.

Heading East

Heading east usually means crossing in to South Africa at the Sikwane/ Derdepoort border
(6am to 7pm). This crossing opens up a huge number of comfortable and affordable game
lodges and guesthouses that are between a 2 to 4 hours drive from Gabs. However a sturdy
vehicle is helpful for tackling the 80km or so of gravel roads before you reach South African
tarmac. See the Maps and Routes section for more information.

Botswana
Oilfants Drift bush
camping

Armed with a tent, camping gear, a sturdy vehicle and

a GPS you can find a quiet spot on the banks of the
Limpopo and camp overnight. Particularly nice during
the dry season and you are craving a little natural water
and greenery. There may be a lot of cow dung around,
so bring a shovel to make clearing your campsite
easier.

About 140km / 2 hours from

Gaborone, with 30 km on
gravel. Potentially there are
lots of places to camp next to
the river. You can go via
Mochudi, but the gravel road
is very bumpy.

With a little planning you can cross (illegally) over to

South Africa and visit Tololie lodge for lunch, dinner, or
even to stay overnight.

https://goo.gl/XKfWMV

Small lodge nestled in the bushveld about 160km from

Gabs. Can go hiking, or bring your own bikes and
explore. Zebra, giraffe, kudu and other vegetarian
wildlife. Africkaaner flavoured restaurant on site. This
is a hunting lodge and sometimes has kudu and other
game meat for sale.

162km from Gabs. Take

Route B and turn right on to
the D115.

http://www.dumanzilodge.co.za/

Cell. +27 (82) 920 2802

Free

South Africa
Dumanzi Lodge

10

https://goo.gl/oTDAuV
Tel. +27 (14) 596 5131

Accommodati
on from
around R250
per person.

Schoonkloof Game
Ranch

Small lodge in the bush south east of Madikwe, close to

Molatedi Dam. Accommodation consists of 2 storey
chalets sharing a communal lounge, kitchen and braai
area (no restaurant, the main lodge burnt down some
years ago). The lodge breeds rare antelope which you
can go and see on a (rather primitive) game drive
black impala, golden onyx and other curiously coloured
buck. Another plus is the excellent hiking through the
hills to the north of the farm.
http://www.schoonkloof.co.za/

116km from Gabs - a 1.5

hour drive. Cross at Sikwane
and head south to the T
junction and turn left. At
Dwarsberg turn right and
continue for 9.5km. Entrance
on the right.

From R400
single self
catering

https://goo.gl/gD7R8T

+27 82 733 7200

Can combine with a visit to Molatedi dam, and/ or

Sunday lunch in Madikwe en route back to Gabs.

Angasii Lodge

Semi-luxury game reserve near Northam offering

beautifully appointed chalets and a decent restaurant
under a boma. Can go cycling if you bring your bikes.
Giraffe and plenty of antelope.
http://www.angasii.co.za/
+27-14-784 0497

Thulani Game Lodge

179km-225km from
Gaborone. Take Route B or C
to Northam, turn on to the
R510, then take the turning
5km north of Northam. 5km
down the gravel road.

From
R500pppn
sharing.

https://goo.gl/yZzg3P

Another semi-luxury game reserve with accommodation

on top of a koppie in the middle of the reserve.
Amazing views. A spa is onsite offering massages and
the like. The sunset African Bush Chalet is
recommended, cooking facilities in the Stilted Tents is
limited. The reserve makes for an excellent cycling
safari.
http://www.thulani.co.za/

201km-230km from
Gaborone. With Route B take
the R511 south and turn left
on to the Road P20/2 to
Northam and continue for
12km.
https://goo.gl/b32xo7
With Route C go to Northam
and continue going east for
24km, then turn left for
Koedoeskop.

+27 82 456 6905

https://goo.gl/6ybCSb

11

From R1,300
per unit

Tololie Lodge

Overlooking a bend in the Limpopo this hunting lodge

can be visited for an overnight stay. Good standard of
rooms, possibility of having meals provided, self
catering possible.
The lodge markets itself to American hunters, and has
no internet footprint. It does exist!
+27187712038

153km-180km from
Gaborone, 90 km on gravel
from Sikwane, less if you take
the longer route past
Atherstone Nature Reserve.

Around R450
per person
per night.

For the adventurous you

could drive to Oilfants Drift
(Botswana) and cross by foot
over to the lodge, if water
levels allow.
https://goo.gl/S3Miwx

Mateke Game Farm

Marakele Predator
Centre

Next to Marakele National Park Mateke is a good sized

private reserve to explore on foot and has some marked
walking trails (perhaps too sandy for bikes).
Accommodation is in rustic chalets next to a large
communal firepit and simple kitchen. Monkeys are
everywhere and will happily steal all your food. One of
the most affordable places to visit in this guide.

220km from Gaborone, taking

Route A. Turn left on to the
R510 toward Matlabas, after
11km right on to the Rooiberg
road, after 400m turnleft on
to the Tweeloopfontein road.
18km to Mateke on gravel.

http://www.mateke.co.za/ +27 73 703 4636

https://goo.gl/g5tIfB

Not-as-bad-as-you-would-think zoo north of

Thabazimbi. Plan your visit around feeding time. You
will never have the opportunity to see so many rare
animals in one place.

On the R510 north out of

Thabazimbi, on the left hand
side.

+(27)715077752
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marakele-PredatorCentre/333678406692702

From around
R250 pppn.
Possibly a
minimum stay
of 2 nights.
Around R100
per adult.
Feeding times
Wednesday
12 noon, and
Sunday 12
noon.

Other places worth considering. These are places I considered visiting, but were either full when I enquired, or I just
ran out of weekends.
Offers kayaking, hiking and mountain biking as well as
173km from Gaborone, taking From
Grootfontein Private
a
vegetarian
safari.
Route B.
R350pppn
Nature Reserve*
(South Africa)

http://www.mygrootfontein.com/ +27 74 3013452

12

https://goo.gl/vb078N

Matla Manzi*

Small hunting lodge deep in the Limpopo bush on the

Matlabas river.

228km from Gaborone taking

a variation on Route A.

(South Africa)

http://www.safarinow.com/go/matlamanzilodgeandranc
h/

https://goo.gl/Vj3ybd

Matla Mamba*

Offers canoeing on the Mamba river, together with

usual vegetarian safari.

226 km from Gaborone taking

Route A

(South Africa)

http://www.matlamamba.co.za/

https://goo.gl/PgM3ag

Sweethome Mountain
Lodge*

Small hunting reserve that is cheap, next to a river and

a comparatively short drive.

163km from Gabs taking

Route B.

reservations.sweethome@gmail.com +27832327034

https://goo.gl/u83u4G

(South Africa)
Gnu Ranch*
(South Africa)

(South Africa)
Marakele National
Park*
(South Africa)

Need to
enquire
From R350
pppn

http://sweethome.co.za/
Private reserve offering a range of self catering
accommodation including a Tree Top Cabin. Hiking,
mountain-biking and 44 trails.
http://www.gnuranch.co.za/

Leopard Lodge and

the Cubs*

Need to
enquire

243km from Gabs taking

Route A
https://goo.gl/xwJO5q

Near the Mokolo Dam this small lodge offers water

activities and fishing.

250km from Gaborone taking

Route A.

http://www.safarinow.com/go/leopardlodgethecubs/

https://goo.gl/Drf9rO

Big 5 national park in a fairly spectacular Waterberg

setting. Can self-drive. Camping very popular so book
well in advance.

194km taking Route B, or

234km taking Route A.
Entrance is on the road
heading east out of
Thabazimbi.

http://www.saparks.com/accommodation/marakele_nat
ional_park.aspx

From R250
pppn low
season.
From R375
pppn self
catering
R76 per adult
for SADC
residents.

https://goo.gl/DnezOZ

Welgevonden Game
Reserve*
(South Africa)

At 37,000 hectares Welgevonden is about half the size

of Madikwe, but offers the same Big 5 luxury. Some
lodges also offer horseback safaris. Check out the safari
discounters for special deals.
http://www.welgevondengamereserve.org/

13

281km from Gabs taking

Route A
https://goo.gl/axf8Hv

Lodges from
around
R1,500 pppn
so less than
Madikwe.

Heading
Southeast

Heading southeast means crossing in to South Africa at the Tlokweng / Kopfontein border
(6am to 12 midnight). An alternative is the Ramotswa / Swartkop border (6am-6pm) which
brings you to the N4 just west of Zeerust, and is tarmac all the way.

South Africa
Groot Marico

Chances are you are already aware of this quaint little

town. Lots of self catering guest farms at very
reasonable prices, most of which are on the Marico
river, which is good for swimming and generally
relaxing. Groot Marico hosts the annual Bosman
Festival (Feb-March) which is definitely recommended.
There is some good hiking in the surrounding Marico
Valley. Not many shops in town, stock up in Zeerust for
your braai.
http://www.marico.co.za/

Rametsi Eco-Game
Farm

Slightly kitsch game reserve with comfortable chalet

accommodation, swimming pool, and a large tract of
sandy bushveld including the Lindleyspoort Dam.
Various herbivores including a large herd of wildebeest.
Not a bad place for a low-key weekend.
http://www.rametsi.co.za/

162 km from Gaborone. An

easy drive on tarmac via
Zeerust.

Guesthouses
from around
R250 pppn.

Contact Santa at the

Information Centre
info@marico.co.za or +27(0)83
2722958 or +27(0)14503
0085 for information and
bookings
160km from Gabs taking the
D1339 gravel shortcut.
201km going via Zeerust and
staying on tarmac.

From R450.00
pppn sharing
self catering

https://goo.gl/m1M3vk

+27 (0)71 2800 638

Thabana Game
Reserve*

Quite pricey and slightly upscale game reserve situated

between Madikwe and the Botswana border. The fairly
high rates means that you may want to consider a
budget Madikwe stay for about the same price.
http://www.thabanalodge.co.za/gallery.htm
+27 (0)83 264 5334 or +27 (0)83 709 2990
+27 (0)18-350 9909

14

65km from Gabs crossing at

Ramotswa, 82km via
Tlokweng.
https://goo.gl/Gj9V2N

R1,300pp
sharing inc.
dinner,
brunch and 2
game drives

Botsalano Game
Reserve*

Botsalano derives its name from the Setswana word for

'friendship' and is a great little park used for breeding
antelope for other South African reserves. Camping
and the Mogobe Tented Camp available.
http://www.tourismnorthwest.co.za/botsalano-gamereserve/

Pilanesberg Game
Reserve*

Despite being the poor relation to Kruger, Pilanesbergs

scenery is spectacular, being set in the eroded crater of
a long extinct volcano. Popular with self-drivers staying
at Sun City next door the reserve can get a little
crowded, and some of the facilities are a bit dated, but
the place still offers good animal watching.

About 130km from Gabs. Can

cross at Ramotswa or Pioneer
Gate. Tarmac all the way.
https://goo.gl/SC6ZOq

See routes for Sun City

below.

Black Rhino reserve*

Popular with fisherman and boaters, Buffelspoort is a

small dam just past Rustenburg. Some nice
accommodation near the dam, more tranquil and less
developed than Haartbeespoort dam.

283km from Gabs via Zeerust

and the N4.

A newly opened extension to Pilanesberg offering

something mid-way between luxury safari and private
game reserve. Gets excellent reviews.

As above. The entrance for

Black Rhino is on the R565 to
the northwest of the main
reserve.

http://www.blackrhinogamelodge.com/
+27 83 297 5020

15

R65 entrance
per adult. P20
per car. Maps
R20.
Guided game
drives from
R460pp

http://www.pilanesbergnationalpark.org/

Buffelspoort Dam*

R35 pp
entrance, R60
per camp
site. R400 for
Mogobe
Tented Camp

https://goo.gl/f0D2vL

R10 per
vehicle and
R15 per adult

From around
R1,500pppn
booking with
a discounter.

Sun City

This dated behemoth of a tourist resort is still going

strong after more than 30 years in operation. Whilst
there is little to keep the discerning visitor entertained,
if you are looking for slot machines, junk food and
oversized lost world kitsch, this is your place. Note
that unless you are staying at the (pricey) Cascades
Hotel, you are restricted in the areas you can visit. Sun
City is however a good choice if you have a young
family and are looking for an easy holiday break.

Several routes: 281km via

Zeerust and Rustenburg (no
gravel).
https://goo.gl/3ERSzH
221km taking the D1339
shortcut:
https://goo.gl/tQSN4D
182km via Sikwane

R60 per adult

for day visits.
Hotel rates
vary by
season
Cabanas from
R950 per
room B&B.

https://goo.gl/HzltjB

Other destinations
Botswana
Sita pan

This small salt pan 60km or so southwest of Kanye

makes a good overnight camping destination. There is
a track around the pan and you can camp more or less
anywhere. Sometimes some game animals to be seen.
https://tracks4africa.co.za/listings/item/w150280/sitabush-camp/
https://goo.gl/X06Fbo

Khutse Game Reserve

Well known reserve a 3 hour drive northwest of

Gaborone. The lodge, if it is still open, gets poor
reviews, camping is the way to go.
Advance booking for a camp site is required.

163 km from Gabs, inc. 60km on a

good gravel road. Take the road to
Kanye, turn right at the Jwaneng
junction (by the Police Station),
drive towards Jwaneng for 16km to
a junction on the left where there
are a couple of shops. Turn left and
follow the dirt road for 60km. Sita
Pan is visible from the road.

Free

218km from Gabs, a 3 hour

drive, with 100km on a good
graded road. 4x4 needed to
explore the park including a
guard over the radiator to
keep the grass seeds out.

P30 entrance
(residents)
P20 camping
(residents)
P10 per car

https://goo.gl/aEGKSI

Phuduhudu

Small hunting lodge near Lobatse +267 71304897

89km south of Gaborone.

http://www.lobatseaccommodation.co.za/

https://goo.gl/bLBrh9

16

P200 pppn

3. Madikwe Game Reserve and Day Trips

Madikwe is a relatively young game reserve that began life in post-apartheid South Africa. Bophuthatswana had been reabsorbed in
to South Africa, and it was clear that even with the Molatedi dam the area was never going to make successful farmland. So all the
farms were bought up and merged in to a bushveld game reserve which opened its doors in 1991. Madikwe is marketed to
international visitors as a remote, on-the-edge-of-nowhere alternative to Kruger, where you can fly in and see the Big 5 on a luxury
safari when Sabi Sands is booked out. Indeed, on a South African map Madikwe does look to be on the edge of nowhere, however
for residents in Gaborone, it is only a 40 minute drive, and makes a great day-trip or weekend destination.
Madikwe, however, is two to three times more expensive than many of the small private game reserves listed in this guide, even
after taking discounts into consideration. But if staying overnight youll get 2 game drives, breakfast and dinner included so keep
that in mind.

Madikwe discounts and choosing your lodge

For overnight bookings there are two South African websites that offer discounted stays (Bush Breaks and MtBeds). Some offers
state South African residents only but if you say you are living in Botswana they will offer you the discount as well.
http://www.bushbreaks.co.za/

http://www.mtbeds.co.za/

When researching your choice of lodge remember that every lodge is essentially selling the same thing. Different lodges will talk
about their eco-credentials, conservation work, levels of luxury and how they are different from the rest, but remember that this is
all marketing. Slick lodge websites make every lodge look amazing making it hard to distinguish the average from the great.
Websites such as Tripadvisor are both a blessing and a curse. Remember that globally the average Tripadvisor score is 4.2 and that
any individual review is highly subjective. You can waste spend hours reading Tripadvisor reviews, and still be none-the-wiser.
Perhaps better to base your choice on the lodges tangible aspects and how they match with your own preferences what is it that
you like? Traditional Meru tent or modern designer chic? air conditioning? outdoor shower? plunge pool? fireplace? buffet dinner or al
a carte? communal dining or separate tables? child friendly? covered or uncovered game vehicles, with or without a spotter? on a hill
with a view or hidden in the bush next to a river? waterhole view from the deck? on the edge of the park next to the fence? spa,
gym and sauna? night time lighting by paraffin lanterns or energy-saving lightbulbs? The list goes on and on....
Finally with Madikwe be aware of which gate you should enter by, and if you can get to the lodge in your saloon.

17

Madikwe Day trips

It is becoming increasingly well known that you can visit Madikwe on a day trip in your own vehicle. The trick is that you have to
arrange to have lunch and/ or a game drive with a lodge beforehand. The lodges that offer this facility change as different managers
come and go. The list below resulted from emailing every lodge in the Park in 2013 and asking if they accommodated day-visits,
most lodges dont.
You have 2 options when visiting as a day visitor:
1 park your car at the gate and have the lodge collect you in a game vehicle
2 drive to the lodge yourself
Option 1 is the easiest, and you get a mini game drive en route to the lodge. Option 2 gives you more freedom and you can drive to
most lodges with a normal clearance vehicle.
Madikwe has two types of roads public access roads, which are signposted and normal vehicles are allowed to use most lodges
are accessible by public access roads. And game drive tracks, which are not signposted and public vehicles are not meant to use.
The most affordable way to day-trip Madikwe is simply to go for lunch and to drive yourself to and from the lodge. If you have a 4x4
and a GPS loaded with Tracks-4-Africa, you can, after lunch, go and explore the park on your own, but dont tell anyone! There are
few / no vehicles out in the park before 4pm, and you can exit by whichever gate you please. If you are lucky youll see some wildlife.
If you are unlucky youll get lost / stuck in the mud and get in to trouble. Its up to you.
My personal recommendation for the first time visitor is either lunch at Jacis Lodge or Etali, and keep to the public roads, or head to
Makanyane for afternoon tea, evening game drive and dinner, and drive back to Gaborone in the dark, crossing at Tlokweng.

Jacis Safari Lodge

A 5 star lodge on the eastern edge of Madikwe, Jacis

Lodge offers an excellent three course set menu lunch,
and the option of an evening game drive.
As Jacis is on the opposite side of Madikwe to
Gaborone, you enter via the Abjaterskops Gate and
drive across the park on public roads, giving some
opportunity for game viewing. After lunch you can
then exit via any gate you wish the Tau Gate makes
a good destination - again with game viewing
opportunities.
lodgemanager@madikwesafarilodge.co.za
+27(0)183509902

18

Cross at Tlokweng and drive

south to the Abjaterskops Gate
(you will not be let in at Tau or
Wonderboom). The gate staff
then radio Jacis to confirm you
are on their list. You pay the
entrance fee and for lunch at the
lodge (cash or credit card)
http://www.madikwe.com/

R160 per
adult to
enter the
park. R250
for lunch,
R3,000 for
a game
drive (max
8 people).

Thakadu River Camp

A 4 star lodge toward the east of the park. The lodge

allows you to park your car at the Abjaterskops Gate
and be collected in a game vehicle (open, no tracker).
You then have lunch at the lodge (buffet) before an
afternoon game drive that leaves you back at the
Abjaterskops Gate, where you then head back to
Gaborone. Hence your car never need leave tarmac.
http://thakadurivercamp.co.za/

Cross at Tlokweng and drive

south to the Abjaterskops Gate
(you will not be let in at Tau or
Wonderboom). The gate staff
then radio Thakadu to confirm
you are on their list. You pay all
the fees at the lodge (cash or
credit card)

R160 to
enter the
park. R180
for lunch,
R1,500 for
a game
drive.

Cross at the Sikwane border and

follow the road south for 8 km.
Sikwane closes at 7pm so if you
stay for dinner you will have to
cross back at Tlokweng, taking
the gravel but excellent R47 road
to the Tlokweng border crossing.

No park
entrance
fee. R250
for lunch,
R350pp for
a game
drive
(shared
with other
guests),
R350 for
dinner.

Cross at Tlokweng and drive

south to the Abjaterskops Gate.
From Abjaterskop turn left and
drive 2km, turn right on to the
tar road, drive 1km, turn left
onto a tar road, drive 560m, turn
right onto a tar road and look for
the Etali signs.

R160 to
enter the
park. R350
for lunch,
R2,250 for
a game
drive.

Wayne Herholdt: gm@thakadu.co.za

+27(0)183659912/3

Makanyane Lodge

A 5 star lodge on private grounds to the east of

Madikwe. A game drive (preceded by high tea) takes
you across the Madikwe river in to the Game Reserve
proper. You can leave your vehicle at the gate or at
the lodge. You can combine any combination of lunch,
game drive (open vehicle with tracker), and evening
dinner.
http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/luxury-safarisouth-africa-makanyane
Lynette: enquiries@makanyane.com
+27(0)147789600 , +27(0)835017837

Etali Lodge*

This 5 star lodge offers a 3 course lunch (eg springbok

carpaccio, grilled salmon, and pear sorbet for
example), a spa (around R600 per hour for
treatments) and the usual game drive (in covered
vehicles with a tracker). Enter by the Abjaterskop
Gate.
http://www.etalisafari.co.za/
Conny Sibanda: conny@etalisafari.co.za
+27 (0) 12 346 0124

19

4. Ideas for a long

weekend
Tuli Block

Of course you already know that Moremi, Chobe, Zimbabwe, Kruger, Cape Town,
Durban, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique etc. all make excellent holiday
destinations. However you need a least a week to make the journey worthwhile. If you
only have a long weekend consider the following....
Less well known than the Okavango delta and Chobe
National Park. Your guidebook will give a good
overview. Accommodation is chiefly luxury lodges,
Mashatu gets good reviews. Limpopo River Lodge is
the only mid-range option in the area.

7 hours from Gaborone, heading

up the A1 and turning right at
Malhalapye.

Mashatu
around
P2,000
pppn.
Limpopo
River
Lodge
P400 pppn
(chalet)
P120 pppn
camping.

Chapter 14 of The Bradt Guide to Botswana details

two islands in Sua Pan:

A 4x4 is needed for each

destination.

Kubu Island. You will have heard of this one it is

now a managed private concession, and you need to
book a camp site in advance. Kubu has some
beautiful rocky scenery, with baobabs galore.
However it costs upwards of P100 per person to camp
(inc. entrance fees), and you dont get much for your
money (no water, no facilities, only a long-drop toilet).
It is also busy, with 14 camping sites, which are often
full. If you are lucky you may get an entire south
African family, complete with mobile generator and
floodlighting, as your camping neighbours!

Kubu Island. 580km from

Gabs. Go via Sewowe and
Letlhakane. The road to the pan
is surprisingly rough north of
Mmatshumo, about 15km of
bone-rattling stones.

Kubu
Island and
Nata Bird
Sanctuary
are
charged.

http://mashatu.com/
http://limpoporiverlodge.co.za/

Salt Pans

Kukonje Island. Less well known, this is free bush

camping at its best. The islands scenery is not as
spectacular as Kubu, with tall grass rather than rocks
predominating, but it faces west for spectacular
sunsets. Chances are others will be camping also, but
the island is large and you can set up camp wherever

20

Kukonje Island. 600km via

Francistown, or 650km via
Sewowe and Letlhakane. This
second route avoids the busy
stretches of the A1. A smooth
ride on a dirt road. For
directions refer to Tracks4Africa.
https://tracks4africa.co.za/listing
s/item/w150009/

Elsewhere
its free
bush
camping.

you like. For the energetic you can run around the
edge of the island, a lap is about 10km.
There are also 2 other places where it is fairly easy to
see a salt pan:
Ryasana pan. For the more adventurous camping
on the eastern edge of the pan provides a nice place
to overnight if driving up to Maun. Free bush camping.
There is a cattle post that youll drive through, the
guys are friendly, but their dogs are not! Use a GPS
and Google Earth to plot your route.
Nata Bird Sanctuary. The lodges in Nata offer
sundowner trips to the edge of Sua Pan here, and you
can self drive also, paying a small fee. This is perhaps
the easiest way to get to the edge of a salt pan.
Of course there is Nxai Pan and Makgadikgadi Pan, but
these require staying at a lodge. Consult your travel
agent.

Tsabong*

The Camelus descendents of the 1920s Police Camel

Corps are being used as part of a community tourism
project. Details are still sketchy there are rumours
that you can milk a camel, eat camel cheese, floss
their teeth, as well as ride them.
The Y Care Trust run an annual trip to Tsabong every
winter.
http://www.ycare.org.bw/index.php?aid=21

Bulawayo

Exuding a certain dilapidated English charm, Bulawayo

has a fine art gallery, lovely railway museum, some
good restaurants, and the Cyrene Mission and Matapos
national park nearby. The city is a good place to buy
arts and crafts, the Mzilikazi Art Centre is a particular
favourite for decorated bowls and plates. You can buy
enough pieces to fill a display cabinet for about $50.

21

Ryasana pan. 550km from

Gabs, with 10km on a bumpy
two-spoor track past a cattle post
down to the edge of the pan.
Plan your route with a GPS and
Google Earth.
https://goo.gl/VRpEIx
Nata Bird Sanctuary. 604km
from Gabs. Good place to break
up a journey to Kasane or Vic
Falls.
For any salt pan visit stick to the
dry season (April October)
520km from Gabs, passing
Jwaneng on a good tarred road.

Unknown

There are two lodges in the

vicinity:
http://www.phirimagameranch.c
om/
http://www.cornwallsafaris.co.za
630km from Gaborone, crossing
at Plumtree. Research the latest
paperwork necessities before
leaving (you may need copies of
car registration docs etc.)

Pula are
accepted,
rand or
US$ prefer
red

5. Hints & Tips

Private game lodges
Private game lodges are the jewels in the weekend trips from Gaborones crown. There are dozens within striking
distance of Gabs, most of which are in Limpopo, and some around Swartruggens and Rustenburg in Northwest Province.
These lodges exist on the back of Johannesburg and Pretorias money with city-dwellers demanding high standards of
accommodation and service for their weekend getaways. Youll notice that the further away from Gauteng a lodge is, the
better value it is, although there are exceptions. Many of these lodges cater to both photographic and hunting safaris,
and whilst you dont have to approve of so-called consumptive tourism it is important to recognise that many of the
lodges you will visit only exist because of hunting.
Pretty much every private game lodge is owned, and most are managed, by white Afrikaner South Africans, with Limpopo
in particular being one of the least progressive provinces in the new South Africa - you need to be prepared for some
striking race divides which are thankfully absent in Botswana. Rural Limpopo is particularly poor so your visit will be
helping an underdeveloped region.
Most private game lodges offer vegetarian safaris meaning there are no predators, no rhino, and no elephant this
means you can take your bicycles or hiking boots and go and explore it can be quite magical to cycle in the bush in the
late afternoon sun and stumble across a giraffe, or a herd of kudu munching on a thorn bush. A GPS is certainly useful
here to avoid getting lost, even if it is only on your smartphone. Nokias Here app (https://pages.here.com/app/) for
Android & Iphone is free and has offline maps for Botswana, South Africa and elsewhere.
Typically private game lodges are self catering with ubiquitous braai facilities and fire pits. This helps to keep levels of
privacy up and the costs down. Where restaurants do exist the quality of the food is usually excellent with big juicy
steaks being in the ascendancy.
When organising your trip email is usually best. You want to check if there are any hunting parties visiting that weekend,
and there is no harm saying you are shopping around and what is the best rate they can offer. Offering to pay cash helps
here. Sometimes you will get 10-20% off the listed price. Booking direct with the lodge, rather than through SafariNow
or other website can work out cheaper as the lodge has no commission to pay. Note however that some email addresses
wont be replied to and some lodges listed on various websites closed their doors years ago.
Finally be very clear where the entrance to your chosen lodge is ask for GPS coordinates, print out some google maps,
and make sure you have the phone number of the lodge and a working phone in case you get lost. Most lodges are
signposted, but only if you come from the direction of Gauteng.
22

This guide is based upon lodges which were personally visited, however the *ed entries are other places not visited but
worth considering, the information for *ed entries is only based upon website and other sources.

Hiking in Botswana (aka bushwhacking)

As you will have noticed, Botswana is blessed with some impressive outdoor scenery rolling hills covered in bush
extending to the horizon, gorges and dried-up river beds, bush tracks leading to remote cattle posts... all waiting to be
explored. However, the lack of people and lack of farmland means that there are not many paths and hence much of the
bush is impenetrable. Hence if you are climbing Monalanong Hill or Mount Otse it is advisable to take gardening gloves
and a pair of gardening pruners to clip your way through the bush. Sturdy shoes, hard wearing trousers and a GPS are
also highly recommended.

Driving on gravel roads

Most likely you have driven on gravel / graded / dirt / unpaved roads already, but just in case a few points to note:
1. Graded roads usually have a sweet spot speed, whereby once you are above 60 or 80kph your vehicle skims
across the top of the bumps and the drive is much smoother.
2. Slow down for the corners all the near misses Ive had on gravel roads have been caused by taking a corner
too fast
3. Experiment with tyre pressures. Lower pressures can make for a smoother ride so generally you dont want the
23

pressure to be any higher than the recommendation for your vehicle. However higher tyre pressures can be a good
idea for long journeys on tarmac (better fuel economy and lower tyre wear) so if you are combining gravel and
motorway you may want to adjust your tyre pressures en route.
4. Know how to change a tyre on your vehicle, and be sure that your spare is inflated and that you have the tools
for the job. Some gravel roads are in the middle of nowhere and there is no passing traffic, and possibly no phone
reception, hence you cant rely on the help of passing motorists. Loosen and hand-tighten every wheel nut on your
vehicle some wheel nuts may have been air-gunned and impossible to loosen you dont want to discover this
when you have a flat tyre in the middle of nowhere go to a tyre shop in Gabs and ask them to loosen your stuck
nuts.
Gravel roads at night.
It isnt advisable to drive a gravel road you have never driven before at night (partly because you cant drive slowly given
the sweet-spot phenomena) you can get caught out by a sharp bend or rutted section. However night-time gravel
driving has the advantage of your headlights throwing a shadow on the road that highlights the bumps and potholes that
you may not see in daylight. In farming areas animals dozing on gravel roads are a worry, even in South Africa.

Routes to Lephalele, Thabazimbi, Northam, and Rustenburg on gravel roads (see Maps)
As soon as you cross the Sikwane border you are faced with gravel roads. Generally these are good quality, but some are
better than others, some are wider than others, and some turn in to tarmac sooner than others. The summer rains
throw a spanner in the works however, and what was once a beautiful smooth gravel road can turn in to a rutted halfflooded track within one week.

Money saving tips.

Do your grocery shopping in South Africa. There is a big PicknPay in Thabazimbi, a PicknPay in Northam, a Spar in
Zeerust and other supermarkets in Rustenburg and Gauteng. Generally prices are about 5-15% lower in SA than
Gaborone, once you take the exchange rate in to account. Prices of eggs, milk and alcohol, which you will need to
smuggle in to Botswana, are 25% or more lower in SA. If you have the time and patience you can also claim back the
14% VAT from South Africa, your tax invoices (receipts) will need to total less than R1,400 per person when you cross the
border and you will need to get your receipts / tax invoices stamped at the Tlokweng border by both SARS and BURS,
then pop along to the SARS office hidden in the Main Mall in Gabs. See http://www.taxrefunds.co.za/ for further details.
Fill your car in Botswana. Fuel is always cheaper in Botswana. In South Africa fuel gets cheaper nearer the ports.
Get your (European) hair cut in South Africa (!) A lot better value than Gabs.
24

6. City Guide
Mafikeng
See page 6.
Rustenburg
There is not much happening here. No museums, no art galleries, no theatre. The Royal Bafokeng stadium on the
outskirts hosts the occasional sporting event, whilst the Waterfall Mall on the N4 has diverted most of the middle class
money away from the old downtown. The Waterfall Mall has the usual cinema complex and a Cape Town Fish Market
offers the best food in town. Many shops close at lunchtime on Saturdays and stay closed until Monday. A good place to
get your car serviced, buy a new set of tyres, or pick up DIY supplies.
Pretoria
Offering a surprising collection of historical and cultural attractions Pretoria can fill a couple of weekend trips before you
exhaust the sights. Your guidebook will give a better overview than we have space for here but if you are interested in
South African history it is worth stopping by Paul Krugers House and the Mapungubwe Collection at the University of
Pretoria. You can take a stream train trip with http://friendsoftherail.com/ to the Cullinan diamond mine, which is
interesting if Botswana has peaked your interest in precious stones.
For sleeping be aware that there is little reason to stay in Pretorias CBD (which is scruffy and largely shut at night)
Brooklyn and the south-east are the most pleasant suburbs. Note that Pretoria North isnt really Pretoria, being north of
the Wonderboom ridge and a 20 minute drive to the CBD. One of Africas few Korean restaurants is in the Lynnwood
suburb to the east (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Seoul-Garden-Korean-Restaurant/333648196667295 ).
Soweto
This township has transformed itself over the past 20 years, and can now justify a weekend trip of its own, rather than as
an add-on to a visit to Joburg. A sample weekend could be staying in a nice bed & breakfast in Orlando West, walking
down to Mandelas house Saturday morning, Hector Pieterson memorial on Saturday afternoon. Saturday evening you can
go for dinner and / or a movie at the Maponya Mall, or see if there is a play on at the Soweto theatre. Sunday you can
visit the Apartheid Museum, or take a bicycle tour of Soweto through one of the backpacker lodges, before driving back to
Gabs. Sure to be an eye-opening trip.

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Johannesburg
Whoa! Now this is a city. Your guidebook will give a comprehensive overview but here are a few hints and tips, and a
few places that may get overlooked.
Firstly Joburg is safe - dont worry.
Second dont just stay in the bland comforts of the Rosebank - Sandton strip, especially after your first visit.
Third take a good map / GPS Road signs are not Jozis strong point and you can get swept along by the traffic and
end up miles from where you planned getting lost is a rite of passage!
Fourth some attractions close lunchtime on Saturday and stay closed until Monday. Check opening times of museums
and art galleries and plan accordingly.
Neighbourhoods see Joburg Places by Gerald Garner for the best guide to the city. http://www.joburgplaces.com/
Braamfontein home to the excellent Orbit jazz club and the affordable EasyHotel. The Neighbourgoods market is
popular with the middle classes on Saturday morning.
Maboneng arty enclave in a sketchy area of the CBD. Home to the 12 Decades art hotel, the Sunday Market on
Main, the Biosphere cinema and a collection of quirky art galleries and restaurants.
Melville this was the place back in 2005, but became more scruffy in the run up to the World Cup. However as of
2014 it has bounced back and is again a nice place to stay, browse for secondhand books and sip a coffee. Not the
best place for an evening meal however.
Greenside a pleasant low-key restaurant strip with an excellent vegetarian (http://www.thegreensidecafe.co.za/)
Parkview near Zoo Lake, a selection of nice cafes situated along Tyronne Avenue.
Parkhurst - 4th Avenue has a strip of nice pavement cafes and restaurants
Parktown North some good restaurants where 7th Avenue intersects 3rd Avenue
llovo next door to Santon some good eating options
Off-the-beaten-track places your guidebook may have overlooked:
44 Stanley nice collection of restaurants and artsy shops - the centre of an interesting urban regeneration project
Lindfield Victorian House Museum crazy and absorbing glimpse in to 19th century Joburg life.
Alexandra township a bicycle tour is truly fascinating. http://www.alexandratours.co.za/
Johannesburg Art Gallery An oasis of calm in a sea of urban deprivation, free
Wits University has the Origins Centre and the Wits Art Gallery, both are good, and open on Saturdays and Sundays
Constitution Hill In a similar vein to the Apartheid Museum the South African Constitutional Court set around the
infamous Fort prison is a fascinating place - part museum and part art gallery. Free / cheap
China town out near the East Rand mall is a good and cheap selection of Chinese shops and restaurants
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7. Maps and Routes

Route A.
This is an excellent route to get to Lephalele and the lodges north of Thabazimbi. If you are in a normal saloon this is
probably the safest way to get to Thabazimbi.
Route B.
The most direct route to Thabazimbi The stretch of gravel before Dwaalboom is bad after the rains. The tarmac from
Dwaalboom is fine all the way to Thabazimbi, with little traffic except the occasional truck serving Portland cement works.
Route C.
With patches of gravel, tarmac and brick paving this is quite a rough route that is not recommended for normal saloons,
even in the dry season. It is the quickest way to Northam but you may want to consider Route B to Thabazimbi and then
heading south on the R510 for a less bumpy journey.
The R47 versus the Modipane Sikwane road. Generally the Modipane
Sikwane gravel road is excellent, and allows quick passage to the quiet
Sikwane border crossing. However the R47 in South Africa, 30 km of gravel
that runs between the Tlokweng border and the Sikwane/ Derdepoort border
on the South African side (sandwiched between the border fence and the
Madikwe Game Reserve) to the is also excellent, and offers the chance to see
elephants munching on bush next to Madikwes northern fence. Consider the
R47 if it has been raining; (the Modipane Sikwane road can turn swampy)
or if the sun is setting and you are going west towards Gaborone (the
Modipane Sikwane road sees a lot of traffic, which throws up lots of dust,
which combined with a sunset can make visibility almost zero).

Modipane
Sikwane road

R47

The D1339 shortcut.

If it hasnt been raining, and you have a sturdy bakkie or 4x4 this is a good route to access areas southeast of Madikwe all
the way to Rustenburg. It is also a way of avoiding the 75 rand Swartruggens toll when heading to Johannesburg, without
it taking any more time. However after the rains the D1339 can be a bit rutted in places, and there may be pools of water
spanning the width of the road. To take this route road turn left off the Zeerust road where you see the sign to Groot
Marico. It turns to gravel after 200 metres and returns to tarmac after 35km.
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Route A - https://goo.gl/502pFx

Gravel
road
Potholes
(D2460)

The least bumpy of the routes to Limpopo with only 32km of gravel on the South African side. The D2460 past the (closed)
Atherstone Nature Reserve is a good and empty stretch of tarmac that you can do 100kph+ on, although there are some
potholes and bush encroachment from the verge. If you are in a normal saloon this is probably the safest way to get to
Thabazimbi, but it is 45 km longer than Route B.
231 km Sikwane Lephalele. 168 km Sikwane Thabazimbi. 213 km Sikwane Northam

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Route B - https://goo.gl/UjQOA6

Gravel
road

A good route in a bakkie or 4x4, slower going for a saloon, with 51km of moderately bumpy gravel on the South African
side. The stretch before Dwaalboom can get very bad after rain. From Dwaalboom to Thabazimbi the tarmac is good and
almost empty.
123 km Sikwane Thabazimbi, 165 km Sikwane Northam.

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Route C https://goo.gl/YWbu3u

Gravel
road

Gravel
road

Bumpy route with around 90km on gravel on the South African side. This route is quite an adventure, passing the huge
Portland cement works south of Dwaalboom. Not recommended for first-timers. Bakkie or 4x4 needed.
114 km Sikwane Northam

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Route to Sun City / Rustenburg - https://goo.gl/q4lRUw

Gravel
road

T-Junction
Sun
City

Moderately bumpy route with about 58km of gravel on the South African side. Cross at Sikwane and continue to the T
junction, turn left and continue to Dwarsberg, where the tarmac starts. From there its an easy drive down to Sun City or
Rustenburg. For Pretoria continue past Sun City and join the N4 just before Brits. I rarely used this route for the return
to Gabs, as Sikwane border closes at 7pm, and these gravel back roads are less pleasant in the dark. Note that the TJunction isnt shown correctly in Google Maps.
120 km Sikwane Sun City, 158 km Sikwane Rustenburg

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Route to Johannesburg using the D1339 shortcut - https://goo.gl/jgVpCb

D1339
Gravel
road
Lots of
speed
bumps

R75
toll

A good route to avoid the Swartruggens Toll on the N4 if you have a 4x4 or a bakkie. Turn left at the Groot Marico sign
on to the D1339. 30km of OK gravel and then good tarmac. Lots of speed bumps going through Pella and Tlokweng on
the D114, turn right at Lindleyspoort and head to Swartruggens and the N4. Take the Koster road for Joburg, stay on the
N4 for Pretoria.
363km Gaborone Johannesburg via D1339, 372km Gaborone Johannesburg via Zeerust

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