Planet Baobab | Established Campground

April 6th, 2024 by supiontour

We booked online the day before for two days but when we checked in we were told that our confirmed place had been cancelled and given to someone else. No payment had been received. After a lengthy discussion we were allocated a place for one night, then we would have to leave again. The booking system seems to be completely impractical and not suitable for last-minute bookings. What a pity!
In general, a very nice facility, even if the sanitary facilities urgently need to be renovated. The shower heads are an imposition and there was no hot water either.

March 12th, 2024 by marco

To add to my last comment, by chance I was talking with management and she said she started here late last year and has been working on improving staff etiquette. I explained the issues mentioned in earlier comments and she said they shouldn't recur.

March 9th, 2024 by marco

I had no issues as a cyclist. I arrived quite beat from the heat, and they treated me respectfully. It is definitely more upmarket, and the food was about 150 a meal.

March 1st, 2024 by mlperkins1980

We’ve stayed before and we’re keen to return. Wed booked online and despite being an empty site they put us next to the only other campers. They were fine when we suggested moving! Lovely huge pool and drinks served. Great dinner. Lots of staff being trained which meant they were super friendly and went out of their way to help. No lodge guests were in. Some renovations to showers etc. amazing baobabs.

February 2nd, 2024 by dutchcondor35

Very nice place, beautiful baobabs in the evenings.
Great land, great campsite place with shade, quite.
Nice pool, nice and original lodges to stay, smiled staff

January 31st, 2024 by sarahpatuel

Stayed here for a couple of nights, it was one of our favourite spots in Botswana! Gorgeous pool and really nice facilities

January 13th, 2024 by commonhour78

Came here for a cup of coffee and something sweet as a break. Nice staff, amazing chocolate cake, big coffee. Only saw the bar: nicely designed, comfortable chairs and of course view at the baobab which is in the centre of it all. Clean toilets. Possible to do some day trips as well. Would recommend it 10/10 for either a short coffee break or to stay the night

January 13th, 2024 by commonhour78

Came here for a cup of coffee and something sweet as a break. Nice staff, amazing chocolate cake, big coffee. Only saw the bar: nicely designed, comfortable chairs and of course view at the baobab which is in the centre of it all. Clean toilets. Possible to do some day trips as well. Would recommend it 10/10 for either a short coffee break or to stay the night

Note: currently the swimmingpool is under shortterm construction. If I had to guess, for a week of two

December 15th, 2023 by dr.mcarnevale

We just came for a stopover to have breakfast. It was after 10am, so, breakfast time was already finished, nevertheless they made us a delicous breakfast for 115 Pula pP. Everything very clean and nice, very friendly staff! WIFI was not working.

October 10th, 2023 by Rachel Vickers

Great campsite with facilities as mentioned. Electricity and small thatched Banda for shade at each site. Lovely pool very welcome for us as it was very hot in the dry season! Highlight was joining an overnight on the Magkadigkadi pan (in dry season) if you are not confident to drive there alone. Included a stop at the meerkat colony. Advanced booking for this trip usually recommended but we booked the day we arrived. Lovely food available from the restaurant.

October 9th, 2023 by big_dave888

Not much to add that hasn't already been mentioned. Definitely a more upmarket place but still camper friendly. 40c and it was nice to have a big pool to chill in away from the heat. The Baobab trees are just sensational and worth a stay on that basis alone. Food not bad either.

August 17th, 2023 by berlintocapetown

We were not sure if we would make it all the way here from Nata on the bikes as we had a late start..but coming midday we realized there weren’t many other options so we pushed 60km into the wind to get there by sunset. We were exhausted and hungry (and probably a bit irritable) when we arrived. We were told with a little laugh that the place was fully booked and that we should go somewhere else. Gweta lodge was the only other option and calling them found that the cheapest room was 850p. So I pleaded with the reception lady and eventually she said she would walk down to the campsite to check again. She returned and said she found a “tiny” spot for us, with no power. Fine. When we got there we found the campsite hardly full at all, and the place she found for us was big enough for about 5 tents! Honestly I don’t know why it was such a problem, perhaps because we were sweaty cyclists with holes in our tshirts and looking like we would not spend any extra money. Who knows. All in all a very beautiful place, good wifi and magnificent pool. Not much shade from trees, but most campsites have roof (ours didn’t).
I’d recommend to call in advance and book a spot, not to be dissapointed!

July 16th, 2023 by @michaeldmacdonald

We are cyclists and didn’t feel unwelcome when we checked in like others have; but it is quite formal and a little corporate. It was 115pula pppn. The campsite is really a bit of a glorified carpark but you have electricity and a shelter and it’s okay for the night. You need to pre-book meals by 6pm for the restaurant. We were told we could order a meal but couldn’t sit in the restaurant because it was busy, we stayed in the bar area all evening and the restaurant was almost totally empty all night so not sure what that was about… maybe word got out that we were cyclists after all!

June 3rd, 2023 by boryenek

6 campsites. Huge pitch. Brai, electricity, light, bin, roof for shadow. Big and clean ablution block with hot water.
Nice place with a lot of trees, birds and baobabs. Very friendly staff. Bar, restaurant, amazing big and clean pool with matresses to relax and chill...
Fast and free wifi at the pool, restaurant and bar but not at the campsite.
We stayed 3 nights and we liked it : 4/5 (no water tap at the pitch).
115 pula per people per night.
There is an overlander truck place but it is for the group of more as 10 people and they pay 98 pula per people per night.
A lot of activities: quad, pan, massage, village tour...

April 24th, 2023 by carolbiks

We paid 115 pp/pn, no extra fee for wifi (it works only on bar / restaurant).
It is a very nice place where you can check a lot os baobabs and have a relax atmosphere.
Don’t think that is worth a detour to it, but if its on your way definitely recommend the stay.
Every camp site has shadow and power station.
It is just missing individual water since you have to go close to the bathroom to get it.
Hot shower with plenty of water, only found the bathroom very dark (even on daylight).
The restaurant is very nice and had even a local musician during dinner.

March 20th, 2023 by expeditionconservation.org

Spent 2 nights here after Nxai Pans and they had problems with power, so we basically didn’t have electricity at all at campsite 6. Otherwise, the site was nice with own lapa, fire pit, braai, and some space (but no privacy to neighboring site nr.5). OK hot shower. Good, large pool. Ablutions were a bit rundown and not so tidy. Very much a ”backpacker-like” place. The Overlander sites looked horrible and cramped, so ask for campsite 5 or 6, they seemed the best ”at the back”. Quiet nights. 115 pula/pppn, a good price for what you get.

November 13th, 2022 by freespiritcoelhos

Camping still 100 pp pn amazing value with good clean facilities. Pool is clean n decent size. Best part for us was meerkats tour 1310 pp and totally worth it. Spent ~ 2 hours walking with them While they scourged for food .. saw them hunting scorpions simply fantastic experience- takes around 4 hours as the colony is far away and don’t think one can found them with out a guide. Definitely recommend

November 12th, 2022 by antalleke

We spent 4 nights here, Overlander camping spot 1 was our place, great location close to ablutions, bar and pool. Friendly people at the bar, pool was close to being clean, so that was nice too. Expensive braai wood (45p) and laundry service too (85p for a bag). Good Mascom coverage. Scullery was a mess one day due to the insects and we asked twice for it to be cleaned. That did happen on the 3rd ask. Would stay again as the overal experience is still excellent. (As was the meerkat experience (1310pp) but a bit steep). Ps. From overlander truck camping spot one you do hear the people leaving for the Meerkat viewing at 05.30 from time to time.

August 14th, 2022 by henryandras25

Echoing the last comment, they really do not seem to like cyclists here! When I enquired about camping for the night, the receptionist had to disappear to a back room (even though she had the reservation list in front of her), before returning to inform me there was no room. She was unwilling to help me any farther, leaving me in a pretty challenging position as Gweta Lodge currently does not offer camping. The receptionist unwelcoming and unsympathetic, similar to some experiences of other Overlanders over the years! I ended up staying at Chaixaia Backpackers, where I was welcomed… although the property itself could use some major TLC.

May 19th, 2022 by thestoryteller83

Paid 110 to camp and 100 for 24 hours of internet. Internet is a con - stops working at 10pm so don’t bother if you need to do anything important with it! [edit: it wasn’t switched off, it’s just rubbish!] Food is mediocre and terrible if you’re vegetarian. Bar is good. Setting is nice. I wasn’t offered a hut. they didn’t seem to like cyclists.

March 21st, 2022 by UniMog

The truck area is a bit overgrown and unkempt at the moment. The pool is quite murky but the bar area is still good. We paid 110 Pula pppn

January 29th, 2022 by overlandingafrica.com

In each and every aspect, an excellent place to stay! we loved the place and recommend it very much!

January 2nd, 2022 by gerdienvantongeren

Nice campsite! Nice swimming pool, maybe one of the nicest so far. Ablutions are perfect. Flat spot. Would come back here.
Make sure you have enough peaceful sleep, lots of mozzies...

December 25th, 2021 by ashli_n

Very lovely place to stay great bar and restaurant ,awesome pool and ablution’s very friendly staff.
Would highly recommend

December 23rd, 2021 by webinfo123

We didn't stay here.

BWP105 per person (no discount for children)

October 28th, 2021 by Escapethehague_overlanding

Planned to stay 1 night, but stayed 3. Feels a bit commercial (eg wifi vouchers) but the sites are good, staff are friendly and the restaurant/bar and swimming pool are nice. Nice stopover to visit the makgadikgadi and nxai pans. There is no discount for Overlanders, only when travelling in a group (i.e. with an organisation)

October 8th, 2021 by Wilde Weite Welt

Very nice and well maintained lodge and campground with a bar and a big swimming pool. Ablutions are clean, sites are under big baobabs, spaciouss with lots of privacy, each with a shaded picnic area. In our opinion much better than the narrow parking lot at Gweta Lodge without any privacy at the sites. Good 4G Orange signal. 105 BWP p.P.

April 26th, 2021 by mattwilliamdalton91

Good camping sites with small covered area plus table, benches and nice fire pit, as well as plug points and lights.

Avlustions are in very good condition and there is a pool that is very welcoming.

Paid P105 per person per night. Well worth it .

March 25th, 2021 by josef.stocker

Stayed here one night during Covid Times and although they didn't have any guests they offered all the service, lit a fire just for us. The pool and the garden were taken care off and we payed a special Covid price of 600 Pula. A great stay.

February 8th, 2020 by Miss Daisy

Price now for overlander 105 Pula ppn, they have only 3 sites for overlander.

January 13th, 2020 by wanderlustfirst.eu

Everything has been written already. Just wanted to add: really nice and helpful staff, wonderful, charming not overcrowded place, nice food in the restaurant. We stayed for one night (2 people, 1 bike) and paid 200P.

November 23rd, 2019 by MissLiberty

We stayed at the overlander/truck site under a huge Baobab - it is closer to rhe pool than the regular campsites. Electricity available, also a small lapa with a table. Great massages - defnitely a recommendation. Ablutions are okay.

November 19th, 2019 by Hubert

Spectacular Baobabs, amazing pool, very welcoming also for Campers. A la carte dinner for 90-130P (to be ordered by 6pm). Good to meet other travellers. Campsite with shade roof and nice and clean ablutions. Mascom cellphone reception. Great place!

October 10th, 2019 by futsoid

It looks like a nice set-up, but we didn't feel the vibe. Receptionists weren't too welcoming and when walking around we didn't feel much atmosphere. We decided to stay at Gweta Lodge, which is less well run, but more welcoming (see our review there).

June 20th, 2019 by flipfloppingtheglobe

Great place with a nice restaurant and pool. We stayed at the overlanders campsite which is actually cheaper than the regular sites - P75 each, but you share the toilets/showers with the overland trucks

May 4th, 2019 by UniMog

We stayed here 6 years ago on the way up, we tried again today, arriving at 4:30pm, the guy on the gate told us it was very quiet, but at reception we were told that they were full. The place didn't look or sound full. We definitely had the feeling of being unwelcome.

April 16th, 2019 by fernwehafrica

It much to add! Great place. Well set out campsite, with good ablutions, potable water and free power. The pool is amazing and so nice to chill by and refresh in. 100 pula pppn.

April 8th, 2019 by mark

nicely laid out, friendly staff, overall a good experience.
the pool is lovely and the restaurant has food options from 75 Pula.
internet is relatively expensive (60 Pula for 2 hours) but wasn't working while we were here.

March 8th, 2019 by wildlifemargrit

Nice stopover. Loved the boababs! Few lights so decent star viewing. Paid Pula110pppn.

March 1st, 2019 by Crocodileriver

Great campsite! Really good clean facilities, big pool. Staff was friendly and a guide helped us with our self drive route to the Makgadikgadi pan in the rainy season. You won’t be bothered by the overlander trucks, they are placed on a separate section away from the campsite. Recommended! Price 2019 (all year according to website) is 100 pula pp.

November 25th, 2018 by Warthog&PenguinOnSafari

I'm surprised by some of the grumbling on here - personally I don't mind paying a little more, as long as you are getting something for your money. Here you have great ablutions and washing up area, and at each site a thatched shelter, braai pit and electric points. The whole camp is nicely maintained and the swimming pool is one of the better ones I've seen at an African campsite - lovely!

WiFi is charged as extra, and unfortunately not worth it. Too slow/ unreliable to be of any use.

Rates displayed on a printed laminated sheet on our arrival were 85 pula pppn, so If others have been charged more then I wonder if they have seasonal prices..?

July 29th, 2017 by Only the Wind Knows

We were greeted warmly. Yes, a bit corporate because one must sign an indemnity form. But they also had us complete a customer satisfaction survey, so they care about customer feedback. The place is very well maintained. Beautiful bar area. Good tasting, potable water. They now charge P150 pppn and still charge extra for wifi.

June 2nd, 2017 by WanderingHedgehog

The staff were very helpful and friendly. Great place as per reports below. We paid 78P pppn. Good atmosphere in busy bar which struggled a little when 20 people arrived back from a game drive and all hit the bar at once. Service good at other times.

September 20th, 2016 by catherine.dlcw

No stayed but emailed about prices, 130 pula per person per night

September 14th, 2016 by kevin.fuell

Has to be the most rude and unhelpful place in Botswana. Plus 60 pula for wifi!!! They are trying to change the place and go "Upmarket" we went to Gweta lodge which was super friendly and free wifi..lovely relaxed chill out place.

September 10th, 2016 by kevin.fuell

Would not stay there for free!!!... Rude and unhelpful. Was told by locals that they are going for the "Up Market type guests. Gwerta Lodge super friendly though and free fast Wifi and just as pretty.

August 24th, 2016 by trekgreatamerican

Stayed here a night outside gweta as it was highly recommended. Great stop and campsite. Clean with beautiful ablutions, braai at each site with grid. Electric fence around place so no crazy animals. Big pool, wifi available for a price. Restaurant food is great. Recommended as a stop or for a few days stay. Again no shops around so bring your food and meat from maon or francistown.

June 21st, 2016 by Norbert's Adventures

Great place, we only came here to aquire info on the salt pan tracks but were welcomed so warmly by the security and reception that we decided to stay, sites have electricity, sunshade and braai area but are a ittle close to each other, great pool and baobabs, didn't try the restaurant but prices were reasonable, dish washing area with hot water (!), great ablutions, couldn't ask for a better stopover, 76Pula (6,50€) pp

October 31st, 2015 by TravelAfricaOverland.com

Great site! Great pool, friendly staff

March 5th, 2015 by reise-blog von susu &uvo

very nice campsites, good restaurant

January 1st, 2015 by 2xperience.nl

Nice lodge with good camping. Each site has it's own shelter and power supply. The restaurant serves good food, good ablution and it has a good swimming pool. Wi-Fi in the restaurant as well. Price is 146 Pula per night for 2 persons and a car.

December 14th, 2014 by Life Remotely

Great campsites, each with shelter, power, fire pit, Braai area and parking space. Only thing missing is a water at the sites. There is a dishes area next to the showers and bathrooms. The pool has plenty of shady spots to hide from the blazing sun. The bar is well stocked and the only place the wifi reaches. We paid 73Pula per person per night. Internet is not free, one day costs 100Pula, 30 minutes - 30Pula.