Kubu Island
Kubu Island
4.5
About
Kubu Island’s granite rock surface is stained white with fossilized bird droppings and riddled with other prehistoric artifacts and stone ruins. The entire island is a national monument.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
143 reviews
Excellent
82
Very good
36
Average
14
Poor
6
Terrible
5
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Exploring Travellers
15 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Wanted to do a day drive to Kubu Island. Took ages in the trust office to pay and get access. The computers weren't working and we tried to help them. Then we drove to the lookout deck. This was in a shocking state of repair. The wood planks were rotten and it was badly designed so a tall person like in our party hit his head on a part of a jutting out roof structure as you got to the top of the staircase. The road ahead looked rocky, and this first part was so disappointing we decided not to go any further. When we got back to the office to tell them we were departing there was a new Manager that we were introduced to. We explained our experience and he was surprised, but also admitted that he had never been down the road. Only been in the office. For one of Botswana main attractions this really needs to be addressed.
Written 2 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ondrea f
Monrovia, CA7 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
I'm just absolutely gobsmacked that this place has such high reviews. People go to Botswana to see wildlife and they usually have to drive pretty far to the campsites, This drive took it to all new levels unforeseen for the whole world. Not only getting there really sucked, the signs lie about how many kilometers it takes to get there (72 km sign says actually 100 km!) and on the tire got awful drive there was no wildlife , but just cattle and lots of it!. I should have read the description before you attempted to get there. Seriously whose world travelers itinerary is to see a bunch of rocks and fossilized bird poop?! No thanks so I turned around and went to another campsite more to my taste. On top of that, a friend of ours went there and said there's no ablutions and the wind was so bad that they had to physically hold the tent all night long so it wouldn't blow away and there were two strangers that drove around the camp at 2:00 a.m. in a pickup truck. This is the worst campsite of all of Botswana. I don't get these people thinking it's good. It is God awful. If you want to see a bunch of cattle and drive to eternity for something that serves absolutely no point other than a lot of wind no water, ablutions ( not even those buckets you fill) and no toilet then to each his own
Written 26 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marile
Germany9 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We read about a place that is supposed to be magical and beautiful. Even the journey by car over the salt pans is supposed to be very mystical. We drove almost 120 km from Gweta on a very bumpy and sandy track through the bush. You only drive very short distances on the salt pans. When we arrived, we paid €20 per person per night. The campsites, twelve in total, are all on the land side and do not have a view of the salt pans. There is little shade and there are no showers. People are also happy to do without the outhouse and unfortunately the bushes turned out to be public toilets. In the morning you are woken up by helicopters flying around Kubu Island. Kubo Island has become an Instagram hotspot that is anything but magical. It is not worth a trip for a photo of a construction site. Our return journey then took us to Nata. This route was even more terrible and bumpy than the route from Gweta.
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marie H
Limpopo Province, South Africa24 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
Lekhubu Island, also known as Kubu Island, is a must see historical site in the Makgadikgadi Pans, administered by the Botswana National Museum. The 65km route from Letlakane needs a 4x4 and takes more than two hours through the Makgadikgadi Pans. We lost the route a few times, even back-tracked twice, because of a lack of indicators and a myriad of re-routes where people had been stuck in the mud before. We visited in August when the Pans were dry. It will possibly be quite a treacherous drive during the rainy season. Kubu is an unexpected spectacle of rocks and baobab trees surrounded by kilometers of flat salt pans that blend with the horizon in all directions. One can see how it will literally be an island during the wet season. We saw many different bird species and signs of animal life - fresh antelope tracks and old elephant dung. This place deserves all the stars that covers it like a dome at night - for its setting and for its uniqueness! But sadly, for the price one pays compared to other camping sites, it lacks the very basics. There's no facilities, no water, only a few long drop toilets and a dilapidated house where people check on your booking and sell wood. And none of this information was supplied when we made the booking through the Gaing-O-Community Trust. kubu.island@btcmail.co.bw
Written 4 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DTDP
Johannesburg, South Africa12 contributions
Mar 2013 • Family
Don't get me wrong, this is still an amazing place to visit if you havent been there. It is just a pity commercialization has forced this natural beauty to now have allocated campsites with little or no view of the pans. Previously one were able to camp on the pans or alongside Kubu Island with a view of the sunset. Now you have to walk far out onto the pans to do this. The charge of 150Pulas for staying there without any services for the money paid I consider as a rip off by the local community.
Written 5 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emm J
Gauteng109 contributions
Dec 2012 • Friends
Kubu island has so much potential - the tranquillity and peace of this site should simply make it a major attraction. Regrettably the fact that it is overrun by local cattle makes for a very unpleasant stay as the cow droppings and urine have a strong unpleasant smell and are massive fly attractors. The local community run plan is not working! The toilets are in disrepair and doors falling off the portable units that are dotted throughout the site. Its overpriced for what it is offering.
Written 2 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cardiak
Melbourne Beach, FL253 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Coming from the North, Dead and dying trees interspersed amongst brown grass while driving for 3 1/2 hours on a rough dirt, rock, and sand road with many places to get stuck will bring you to Kubu Island. Along the way you will see donkey, horses, and cows but not a single bit of wildlife.
There are NO facilities here: no water, no electricity, no abolution blocks, no communication. All this for just 468 Pula.
Get out of here driving south on the seasonal access road across the pan ASAP. This hole is hell on earth!
There are NO facilities here: no water, no electricity, no abolution blocks, no communication. All this for just 468 Pula.
Get out of here driving south on the seasonal access road across the pan ASAP. This hole is hell on earth!
Written 30 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fanie18
Cape Town, South Africa17 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
We visited Kubu the 12 of July 2016. if you visit Kubu Island make sure that your vehicle is up to it. The road is a challenge. We travel 5 hours on 70 kilometers. The dust is everywhere. When you arrived at the Island immediately the beauty replace the bad road. The lady at reception is friendly and very positive about her work for the last 6 years. The campsite is big and can accommodate at least 3 groups of 4x4 trailers. You must bring everything with. There is wood along the road for sale, buy enough. There is only a long drop (very suspect). If you go to Kubu the main activity is photography. Make sure you scout the area well before sunset. This was one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited.
Written 7 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris F
Batheaston, UK105 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
Strongly recommend this place. Stunning location and spectacular views across the empty pans. The sunsets and sunrises are a must. There are limited camp spots (all on the south side)and you should book ahead. No power nor water. Only toilets are drop boxes. You pay when you get there . There are some locals who live in the staff house and will come around in the evening for payment.
I must warn you about the drive. The quickest but bumpiest route seems to be from the south through mmatshumo . It took about 2.5 hours with a trailer. We drove out North west to gweta on the a1. A far better track but long. It took over 4 hrs.....
I must warn you about the drive. The quickest but bumpiest route seems to be from the south through mmatshumo . It took about 2.5 hours with a trailer. We drove out North west to gweta on the a1. A far better track but long. It took over 4 hrs.....
Written 9 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kalaharikind v
Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa15 contributions
Sept 2013 • Friends
Magical is the only word i could use the describe the setting and atmosphere of Kubu. Admin was fast and effective and very friendly staff. The ablutions however is almost non existent witch creates a def bio and health hazard as all the people are using the surrounding area for their toilet needs. We will def visit again.
Written 5 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello.
I’m looking to do a self driving trip in December with 5 vehicles and 13 people
14th Nxai Pan Park
15th Kubu Island
16,17th Makgadigadi game reserve
18,19th third bridge , South Gate
I’m concerned about campsites being closed especially Kubu Island somewhere I’ve always wanted to go.
I’d like to drive from Nxai Pan to kubu from Gweta , is that possible ?.
Written 28 November 2018
Hi, we plan to visit here, so is it possible to drive there with 2*4 car???
Written 9 March 2018
We are going to KUBU Island and would like to know if we need a permit and where we can get them. As we are touring Namibia and Botswana we do not know our exact dates - if there a possibility to get the Permit in Maun? Tks for your help.
Written 18 May 2017
We camped on Kubu last week. You don't need a permit in advance but once you get to the gate you supposed to pay 50 Pula per person to enter the park but that's only if someone is actually even at the gate. Careful of Moola the park ranger on the island as he attempted to rip us off by charging twice the camping fee. The island is magical and completely worth going out there!
Written 20 May 2017
Hi, we are planning also a selfdrive in november and woulk like to camp at Kubu Island. Do you need to make a reservation in advance or can you just drive to Kubu Island and camp there. It seems very hard finding good information about the camp at Kubu Island and how to even make a reservation.
Written 5 March 2017
You can contact the Botswana tourism the booking is done through them but there are quite a few camp sites and an office to assist. You must take your own water even for shower. Very basic rather non existent ablution facilities
Written 8 April 2017
Wie kann man Campsite auf Kubu Island buchen ??
Ich habe keine Website gefunden... oder wie funktioniert es ??
Written 3 November 2016
Where did you stay in Kubu Island?
The amail address of the campsite (kubu.island@botsnet.bw) seems not to be working.
Thanks
Written 16 July 2016
I assume there is no electricity available
is there water available as well as an ablution facility to shower and toilet
Is the island accessible from Gwete side
Written 16 May 2016
No electric available on camp site
Written 18 June 2016
I hope to get to Kubu Island from Nata, but drivers I've been in contact with charge 1500p/$150 minimum, and I'm not finding any car rental agencies in Nata. Does anyone know of a more affordable means of getting to Kubu Island from Nata? I could start from Gweta, as well. Thanks.
Written 18 November 2015
Hi, has anyone been to Kubu Island from Orapa? how many hours would it take to get there? And would towing an off-road caravan be okay?
Written 9 June 2015
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