If you asked us which destination in Botswana has surprised us the most, the answer would probably be Mabuasehube Game Reserve.
This remote part of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, deep in the Kalahari, feels like one of the last true wildernesses in southern Africa. The journey there is long and requires a good 4WD. From Twee Rivieren, we recommend driving via Tsabong to Mabuasehube first. If you leave the park on the northern side, the route towards Ghanzi is a logical next step. Deep sandy tracks, endless distances and complete silence make the drive part of the adventure. Lowering your tyre pressure before driving into the Kalahari is essential.

Once you arrive, everything changes. Gigantic clay pans such as Bosobogolo, Monamodi, Mpayathutlwa and Mabuasehube Pan are surrounded by camel-thorn trees and open grasslands where gemsbok, springbok and wildebeest gather. It is one of Botswana’s most remote and pristine safari areas.

What makes Mabuasehube truly special are the encounters with the famous Kalahari lions and brown hyenas. Because the campsites are completely unfenced, these animals regularly walk through the camp. The lions seem accustomed to the presence of people and can sometimes come surprisingly close. This makes an overnight stay here unforgettable, but it also calls for respect for nature. Never leave food, food scraps or water unattended and always give the animals space. You are a guest in their habitat.

The campsites are basic, with a long-drop toilet and a bucket shower, but that is precisely what adds to the experience. Once the sun sets, all that remains is the campfire, a spectacular starry sky and the roar of lions in the distance. For us, Mabuasehube is one of those rare places where you can still experience Africa truly in its purest form.

Mabuesehube