Why we find Mababe amazing
"Raw, wild, and the place for lion-buffalo encounters!"
Ebe van der Lecq
Founder of Botswana Specialist
The Mababe Depression is a rugged, remote area between Khwai, Savuti, and the Chobe River. It’s one of Botswana’s best-kept secrets. This former lake lies in a vast dried-up valley that seasonally transforms from dry grassland to a marshy paradise. With very few lodges and no regular self-drive options, it’s perfect for a mobile safari with a private guide, like Kane Motswana.
Away from other travelers, you experience the bush at its rawest. You camp in the wilderness, where lions, hyenas, and elephants roam at night. By day, you follow tracks in the mud, cross open plains, and encounter large herds of buffalo, elephants, and (with a bit of luck) the rare pack of wild dogs. The landscapes are vast, wild, and almost otherworldly. Mababe is not for everyone, but for those who want to immerse themselves in untamed Botswana, it’s a dream destination..
Best travel time
The area is most accessible from June to October, when wildlife congregates around the few water sources. During the rainy season (November–March), the landscape transforms into a lush, marshy plain full of birds, but access can be challenging and this area is only suitable for experienced guides.
A few lodges, purely mobile safari
Vast, deserted landscapes full of wildlife
Between Khwai, Savuti, and Chobe
Perfect with a knowledgeable guide like Kane Motswana
Do you want to camp in the midst of pure wilderness?
Mababe is not a standard safari area and can only be explored with an expert guide. We’re happy to plan your adventure with the right people.
What others say about this area
"Mababe was raw and untouched! We camped among the lions and buffalo, far from everything."
Eva
Traveled with Botswana Specialist in 2021
