Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ies over the years. And remember:
never
underestimate the effect that the pans can have on your sense of direc-
tion.
NTWETWE PAN
The Ntwetwe Pan was fed by the Boteti River until it was left permanently dry following
the construction of the Mopipi Dam, which provides water for the diamond mines in
Orapa. The waters may have returned to the river but Ntwetwe is now famous for its ex-
traordinary lunar landscape, particularly the rocky outcrops, dunes, islets, channels and
spits found along the western shore.
GREEN'S BAOBAB
20°25.543', E 25°13.859')
, which was inscribed by the 19th-century hunters and traders
Joseph Green and Hendrik Matthys van Zyl, as well as other ruthless characters.
CHAPMAN'S BAOBAB
About 11km further south is the turn-off to the far more impressive
Chapman's Baobab
Offline map
(GPS: S 20°29.392', E 25°14.979')
, which has a circumference of 25m and
was historically used as a navigation beacon. It may also have been used as an early post
office by passing explorers, traders and travellers, many of whom left inscriptions on its
trunk.
GABATSADI ISLAND
The enormous crescent-shaped dune known as Gabatsadi Island has an expansive view
from the crest that has managed to attract the likes of Prince Charles. (He went there to
capture the indescribably lonely scene in watercolour, but the paints ran because it was so
hot!) The island is just west of the Gweta-Orapa track, about 48km south of Gweta.
Sleeping
In a remote corner of Ntwetwe Pan, Uncharted Africa, the same company that manages
Planet Baobab, operates three exclusive tented camps.
Accommodation at the camps is in classic 1940s East African-style canvas tents fur-
nished with regal linens and romantically lit by paraffin lanterns. Buckets of hot water are
delivered on request, though flush toilets are a welcome modern concession. The central
'mess tent' operates as a field museum where local guides and world-renowned experts
deliver lectures and lead discussions on the area's flora and fauna. There's also a dining
