Planet Baobab is not a new planet in our solar system, but it must be one of the most original places you can stay at if you are visiting the Makgadikgadi Pans. This unique lodge is a mixture of delightful and quirky accommodation near Gweta. Offering a large swimming pool, colorful huts, cool drinks, and delicious meals, it is a perfect base to explore the series of pans that are the remains of what used to be a huge ancient inland ocean. Surrounded by seventeen giant Baobab trees, the landscape is breathtaking.
Why not try something different? Make Planet Baobab, on the edge of the magnificent Makgadikgadi, part of your Botswana itinerary.
At Planet Baobab the accommodation is not luxurious, but it is truly original, reflecting the traditional building methods of the original inhabitants of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana. The thatched huts provide unusual accommodation. All the rooms are en-suite. The exteriors of the huts are decorated with cheerful murals, and the thick clay walls keep the rooms naturally cool without the need for air-conditioning. The interiors of these huts reflect what Planet Baobab is about: true creativity. Traditional art, patchwork quilts and quirky decorations will bring a smile to your face.
If you prefer camping, Planet Baobab has shaded campsites, each with braai area and shared ablution blocks.
Planet Baobab is accessible by two-wheel drive vehicle. Just keep an eye open for the giant aardvark alongside the road. The camp lies 200km from Maun and about 100km from Nata. Road transfers from Maun can be arranged on request. Planet Baobab offers access to the Ntwetwe Pan, Nxai Pan and other areas on the Makgadikgadi. It is approximately 40km to the Ntwetwe pan.
The largest, coolest swimming pool in the Kalahari
Game drive in the Ntwetwe Pan, Quad biking on the pans(dry season), meerkat visits
6 camping spaces with shared bathroom facilities
Restaurant on the premise with with an a la carte menu
Internet at the loge is available
Ice-cold refreshments served at the bar
Activities at Planet Baobab will also create memories that will not easily be forgotten. A trip to the Ntwetwe pans includes a visit with the incredible meerkats who live in their natural state on the pans. If you are quiet and restful you might get surprisingly up-close to one of these charming creatures. Game drives and pans visits are done on open game-viewing vehicles or on quadbikes that are based at Planet Baobab’s Kalahari Surf Club. An overnight trip onto the pans with a sleepout under the stars is an incredible experience. Or you can just take an evening stroll between the majestic Baobabs, relax next to the enormous cool swimming pool with an icy cold drink at hand and have a satisfying meal at the restaurant.
BOTSWANA
Woodlands Stop is just 300 km from Planet Boabab and very near the southern edge of the Makgadigadi pans if you would like to take a restful drive through Botswana and not rush. This lodge offers self-catering (self-contained) accommodation and camping near Francistown. Cresta Lodge is our preferred hotel in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana, if you are travelling up from the south to get to the Makgadikgadi. It is about 8 hours drive to Planet Boabab.
Maun is two hour's drive from Planet Boabab and the obvious next stop on your safari. You can select hotels such as Cresta Riley's and Island safari Lodge or Thamalakane River lodge which is a new luxury lodge. Maun is a bustling, busy little town and a good place to stock up.
If you should decide to rather go north, Big Five Toro Lodge and the Chobe Game Reserve is 400 km from Planet Boabab. Alternatively, if your safari started in Maun you can make the next stop the Makgadigadi Pans and Planet Baobab, before visiting Chobe Game Reserve. Accommodation in the Chobe region includes Chobe Safari Lodge and Mowana Safari Lodge or if you prefer to stay in self-catering accommodation Senyati Safari Camp is a good option.
ZIMBABWE
Zimbawe is to the east of the Makgadigadi Pans and many destinations in this country are within easy reach of Planet Baobab.
Drive west to Nata and then North to Pandamatenga border post. From here it is about an hour's drive to Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe where you can stay at Hwange Safari Lodge.
From Hwange it will take you only two hours to Victoria Falls. A'Zambezi River Lodge is the only hotel on the banks of the Zambezi River and our preferred hotel at Victoria Falls. From there you could head south and see more of Zimbabwe.
Clevers Lakeview Resort is near the Great Zimbabwe Monument also known as the Zimbabwe Ruins. This lodge is known for its beautiful gardens and magnificent views over the lake. You can choose between self-catering accommodation and hotel rooms .
