BOTSWANA IMPRESSIONS – KUBU ISLAND – Part I of III …


In a time of psycho-terror induced mass hysteria, it is good to go away for a while – to a place of inner quietness and peace or a place away from the maddening crowds.

The Makgadikgadi salt pan, the largest such complex of its kind on earth – a once great lake of 16 000 square kilometres.
Walking barefoot, trying to get in touch with the ancient silence.


Botswana is such a place, about the size of Madagascar, slightly larger than France, shared by less than 2.5 Million people, where 80% of the landmass is covered by the Kalahari desert and two great river systems which seasonally and partially transform the northern landscape into a vast inland river delta, home to abundant wildlife.

After rendezvousing with a group of fellow travellers in Botswana we set out on a ten day adventure – the first destination Kubu island in the Makgadikgadi salt pan.

Kubu Island – a granite rock outcrop within an ancient lake which has since dried up; an archeologically explored site; a holy site for the local people, and a national monument. Access with 4×4 during the dry season only is strictly regulated.

Granite boulders on Kubu Island.

Our group – quietly following the sun’s path down over Kubu Island.

Sunset over Kubu Island.

Driving a 4×4 on a hard surface which can become treacherous during the rainy season; being in a group of 14 fellow travellers only just met, could also be a hazardous undertaking – quite apart from your so-called carbon footprint (about which we must talk a little further on) – you cannot but be in awe of experiencing the immensity of space encircling you and the depth of time gone bye.

Hoodia pilifera. South African “desert cactus”. The peeled fleshy stems were used by the Khoi-San (Bushmen) herders of South Africa and Namibia as appetite and thirst suppressants in times of critical survival mode such as extended hunting expeditions.

Our team leader, Pete, in conversation.

Adansonia digitata – African baobab – this one might be over a thousand years old. They are thought to reach an age of 1500 years. A great number of stone tools have been recovered on Kubu Island, dating back to the earliest time of homo sapiens.
Luncheon break on our way to Maun.

Part II of III to follow …

With love as always
Colleen & Walter
Stellenbosch
24 Sept 2021
“Heritage Day”

4 thoughts on “BOTSWANA IMPRESSIONS – KUBU ISLAND – Part I of III …”

  1. It must have been a lovely trip and a great escape from our so-called normal. It brought back memories of a trip that I once made with the Museum group in the early 1990 ‘s’

  2. Hi Colleen and Walter

    It’s great to see you are both well and enjoying your travels.

    Steve and Sheila (UK)

  3. OH BOY!! Its great and wonderful to see that you both continue with you interesting, exciting explorations of all parts! This trip seems like heaven to me. Thanks for sharing!! Love, liz

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