We met an executive from the Botswanian Tourist Board at Chobe National Park who told us that all tour operators in Botswana must have a license. We subsequently discovered that there are many cheap options available in Botswana itself - just ring the Tourist Board. I do not recommend booking a tour from Zimbabwe, as there is very little choice available.
Joanna Hampton & Andrew Mitchell, UK (Dec 98)
Forget booking for Moremi Game Reserve; it is impossible. We tried from South Africa, Namibia and even the Parks Board Office in Maun. They told us it was full, but we went anyway. Getting in at the South Gate was easy - you just pay and push on to the Third Bridge, which was full according to the warden at the gate. However, none of the campsites were even half full, and this was peak season (July). Other groups travelling independently experienced the same problems as we did. So don't let anyone tell you that Moremi is full - just go.
At Chobe National Park, we had the exactly the same problem as Moremi; just go, and use telephone failure as an excuse for not having a booking. When leaving the campsite, tents must be collapsed due to the baboons and monkeys which are a real plague here; you must be on your guard at all times.
Stefan Grosse, South Africa (Dec 98)
If you are taking a route through Ghanzi in June, be sure to check out the Ghanzi Agricultural Show. It is an experience not to be missed.
Ben Ackland, Botswana (Dec 98)
There is a rule that all camping sites inside the parks in Botswana must be booked in advance at the Government parks board. The offices are in Gaborone (Phone: 267 580774; fax: 267 580 775; email: dwnpbots@global.bw), and Maun. The Gaborone office is really efficient - they call you back immediately by phone to confirm.
Daniela Migliorati - Italy (Jun 98)
The trans-Kalahari motorway is now finished. Going from Ghanzi to Gaborone takes six hours.
Dan Stothart (Nov 98)
There are now two buses running everyday from Ghanzi to Gaborone: the first leaves at 7am sharp; the second at 10am. Both buses are safe and comfortable. The fare is P48.
Ben Ackland, Botswana (Dec 98)
The road from Maun to Ghanzi is still very rough gravel - we had a puncture by the time we hit Ghanzi. I think a high clearance 4WD is better for this road; we drove a 2WD VW and felt the rocks underneath us at times.
Amy Sumner, UK (Oct 98)
The road from Buitepos (Namibia) to Ghanzi (Botswana) is now tarred: the Transkalahari was opened in March 1998. Anyway, there is still the danger of cattle crossing the road, even at night.
Davide Chiapasco, Italy (Aug 98)
The road from Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) to Kalambeza (Botswana) to Katima Mulilo (Namibia) is now just about all completely tarred (and in great condition!). The only unsealed bit is from the Nam border to Katima Mulilo.
Sean Willis (Mar 98)
Gaborone: all regular train and bus services to and from Johannesburg have stopped, making the capital more isolated than ever, unfortunately. The only reliable way between the two cities is on plane, private car, or the quite dangerous Kombi (mini-van) rides.
The train to Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) is very slow. You can also catch a mini-van to the Zimbabwean border from the Francistown 'bus terminal' for about 5 Pula (about US$1.50). Cash-strapped minivan drivers will be waiting on the other side of the customs border to shoehorn you into one of their vans to Bulaweyo for about the same price. For the reverse trip, catch a Kombi in town on Fort Street between 10th and 11th to Bellevue. Mini-vans, and the larger, slower buses leave from the Shell station parking lot for the Botswana border. Those with any significant packs/luggage will want to try the larger bus!
Joseph Copeland (Mar 98)
Since the Trans-Kalahari highway has been completed there is a bus running from Ghanzi to Gaborone. I don't know all the details, but we took the bus from Ghanzi on a Friday. I know it leaves Gaborone on Thursdays and Sundays. It was an eight hour trip.
Magnus Eriksen - Norway (Feb 98)
We were travelling through Zambia, Namibia and Botswana and we had the Zimbabwe, Namibia & Botswana guide. We wanted to enter Botswana (Maun as our destination) from Namibia, and there were just two roads that we could take. I'll name them the south and the north road. The south road is (departing from Windhoek) numbered as B6 going through Gobabis, Ghanzi to Maun. We were told that this road is more or less gravel and not recommended for a two wheel drive (we had a 2WD minibus). That is the reason we decided to go for the north road. That is north from Windhoek on road number B1 and then to road number B8 in the direction of the Caprivi region and then through Begani to Botswana and Maun. We had no information about the road except for the one given in the guide. To our great surprise, the road is now mostly tar (not mostly gravel). There was only one section of gravel (approximately 30km) through the Caprive game park. The north road saved us a lot of time and back pain usually caused by gravel roads. For any future travellers in these parts, we warmly recommend it.
Tomaz Vizintin - Slovenia (no date)
Since the Trans-Kalahari highway has been completed there is a bus running from Ghanzi to Gaborone. I don't know all the details, but we took the bus from Ghanzi on a Friday. I know it leaves Gaborone on Thursdays and Sundays. It was an eight hour trip.
Magnus Eriksen - Norway (Feb 98)
BOTSWANA