Gweta Botswana

Gweta is a small, old village about 2km south of the road between Nata and Maun; about 205km from Maun and 100km from Nata. Now it feels quite run-down, but it remains conveniently situated for exploring Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans. There's a restcamp here, a couple of basic foodstores (including the Maono Restaurant) and even a vehicle workshop for minor repairs. There is often, but not always, fuel available here. Gweta is very clearly signposted south of the main road, in an area of mostly stunted mopane woodlands with the odd small clay pan. Turning off you'll first find a post office on your left, then the fuel station on your right (signposted with little pump signs) and finally the restcamp. Planet Baobab is about 5km east of town, but worth seeking out. If you're arriving by bus, ask them to stop on the road beside the turn-off to Planet Baobab. The choices to stay over at the lodges here are starkly different: the old and rather run-down Gweta Restcamp or the funky, rustic-trendy Planet Baobab. Both can be used as a base to explore Ntwetwe Pan or the Makgadikgadi National Park, although most visitors to these would probably camp there instead. Both are really best as stopovers, with Planet Baobab doubling as a base for backpackers to take quad-bike excursions onto the pans.

The Gweta restcamp has been here for years and hasn't, apparently, changed that much. It's still signposted as the 'motel' in the centre of Gweta, and has 28 small and unimpressive rondavels, all with en-suite facilities, and an area where you can pitch a tent with toilets and showers.In the centre of the restcamp is a cool and generally pleasant thatched bar which serves snacks as well as drinks. This should make a good stop for lunch! The second lodge,Planet Baobab (which name speak for itself)is set amongst baobabs about 4km east of Gweta, Planet Baobab is just south of the main Nata–Maun road. If you stay here, there are three choices of accommodation:

The eight traditional mud huts are actually brick clad in mud, with a thatched roof on top. Everything inside is rounded as if it's made of mud. There are two beds, one built into each side of the room, each with a mosquito net, and a stylish en-suite washbasin, toilet and shower. These have been very well designed, with glass in the windows and trendy mirrors on the walls.

The ten Bushman huts are very basic, rounded shelters built using a frame of thin mopane saplings, and a covering of grasses. There's a door made of sticks and inside are two rustic beds with a cowhide rug on a dung floor, a bedside table and a paraffin lantern. Residents share the same ablutions as the campers. Whilst similar to camping in the dry season, I'd be a little apprehensive sleeping in one during the rains – although I am assured that they're waterproof.

The campsite has four showers and toilets built into a large and stylish thatched rondavel – complete with lights set into the walls and clothes-hooks made from branches. The camp's focus is a funky dining and bar area, dominated by a large, curved bar and lit by two chandeliers made from local beer bottles. This has tables and alcoves and a fine collection of images and interesting things on its walls.

Fly-camping trips to the pans are covered separately.However, there are a variety of optional activities that can be organised out of a base at Planet Baobab, including the following. Village Tour which lasts about two hours and includes a visit to the local primary school, Gweta's kgotla (traditional court), and a stop at the traditional healer.

A local guide from the area will lead you, and there's always a chance to stop and sample some of the local sorghum beer. (It's an acquired taste!). Bushwalk and fireside chat which is a short guided walk for about two hours through the surrounding bush, concentrating on the environment, the traditional uses of plants and animals, the history of the area and perhaps some local stories.

Also, a traditional meal at the cattlepost can be arranged in the evening with a local family: typically sorghum, mealie meal, seswaa (beef stew), wild spinach, mopane worms in season for the more adventurous, wild beans and perhaps creamy baobab fruit milkshake.

If eclectic adventure is what you are looking for, then you will be definitely spoiled for choice here at Gweta.

Have you visited this area? If so please share your experience and photographs with us, we would love to include them on this webpage to help future visitors to this area.
Email : botswana@madbookings.com