Travel adviser: Down at ground level in the Kalahari

Botswana parks
Visitors to Botswana’s national parks and game reserves (Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi/Nxai Pans National Parks, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Khutse Game Reserve and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park) can pay park fees in advance at central pay points in Gaborone, Tsabong, Ghanzi, Kang, Letlhakane, Maun, Kasane and Francistown.

Entry fees for all the parks are R130 an adult, R70 a child, plus R70 a day for vehicles. Camp fees vary according to the campsites, which are mostly privatised. For a 3 500-kilometre trip for two people, expect to pay around R5 000 in park fees and R4 000 for fuel.

Hours from April to September are 06h00 to 18h30; from October to March 05h30 to 19h00.

Maps can be found on-line at www. botswanatourism.co.bw.

Contact the Botswana Parks Board at tel +267-580-774 or +267-686-1265, e-mail parks.reservations.gaborone@gov.bw.

Where to stay
At Okavango Camp and Audi Camp, prices for camping are about R55 with your own tent and R375 for two-person tents provided by them. Tel +267-686-0599, e-mail audicamp@info.bw or info@okavangocamp.com, web www.okavangocamp.com.

Moremi
Book campsites through Botswana Parks Board.

Chobe
Camp fees at Savuti are R250 a person a night (in own tent). Tel +267-686-5365 for reservations. Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Camps run by Big Foot Camping cost about R115 a person a night (in your own tent). Tel +267-391-9954, e-mail reservations@simplybotswana.com, web www.simplybotswana.com.

Makgadikgadi
Camping fees at Kumanga and Njuza are R35 a person a night. Contact Botswana Parks Board.