Planet Baobab is located just north of the Makgadikgadi Pans, about 200km from Maun and a very short drive from the small village of Gweta. It is positioned about 1km from the main road that separates Maun and Francistown, its turn-off marked by a giant concrete aardvark, a feature that sets the tone for this lively camp!
Planet Baobab is among the most affordable lodges in the Makgadikgadi Pans area. Unlike the region’s more upmarket camps—San Camp, Jack’s Camp and Camp Kalahari—Planet Baobab is located just outside of the Pans and is easily accessed by road, rather than light aircraft. Though very much a mid-range property, it shares its owner with the award-winning Jack’s and San Camps and offers the same quality of service, though with more basic facilities and a somewhat less convenient location.
Planet Baobab, as you might have guessed from the name, is set amongst a scattering of ancient baobab trees, with a larger baobab forest close by where guests can enjoy walks. The lodge centres on an open-air lounge and restaurant, which has been decorated in a lively fashion (beer bottle chandeliers, metal bar stools, vintage travel posters), around which are scattered the guest rooms housed in traditional African rondavels. There is a large pool and a welcoming bar.
Many use Planet Baobab as a base for extended mobile camping tours into the Central Kalahari and Makgadikgadi, but it is also a good location for day trips into the Park, especially for those wanting to see the Zebra migration. Other camps in the region are better positioned for wildlife, but Planet Baobab’s location outside the park boundaries means that it can provide a number of additional activities beyond the main wildlife attractions—cattle post visits, traditional dining, baobab forest walks, and more.
Accommodation
Accommodation at Planet Baobab comprises 7 bakalanga, or mud huts, which are based on a traditional San style (albeit equipped with the expected modern amenities, including en-suite shower rooms!) There are also large rondavels suitable for families.
In addition to the bakalanga huts, there are 8 traditional grass-thatch huts. These are smaller and lack en-suite facilities.
There is a camping ground on site, and in peak season the lodge can be quite busy with campers in addition to those staying in the fixed accommodation.
Dining
Meals are served in the open-air dining room – lunch is a la carte, while dinner is a set three-course menu. There is a communal lelwapa, a traditional meeting place with a fireplace where guests can gather for a drink in the evenings, before migrating to the bar-restaurant.
Facilities
Bar-restaurant
Lounge
Swimming pool
Lelwapa
Activities
Kalahari game drives
Quad biking on the Pans
Baobab forest walks
Local village and cattle post tours
Visit the habituated meerkats
Ancient stone tools at Nxai Xini Pan
Child Policy
Children of all ages can be accommodated at Planet Baobab. There are larger huts suitable for families.
