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Intoduction

Guma Lagoon Camp
(3 tents and camping) P Bag 23, Maun; tel: 674626/7; fax: 674626; email: guma.property@info.bw
Barely a kilometre northeast of the lodge is Guma Lagoon Camp, which is very different. It's run by an enthusiastic couple, Guy and Beverley Lobjoit, who ran Nxamaseri Lodge for many years before moving here to start their own place in 1999. Guy's an angler of some repute (one of the Okavango's fly-fishing experts) as well as an accomplished birder.

Here their operation caters mainly for self-catering visitors who drive themselves here – although meals can sometimes be arranged if you book far enough in advance. They have a campsite with toilets and hot showers, and also three very comfortable 4m x 4m dome tents, set on shaded stands overlooking the lagoon and furnished with beds and linen. Each of these tents has its own toilet, shower and washbasin built beside the tent.

The camp has a fully equipped kitchen, with pots, pans, cutlery, cooking equipment and freezing facilities. This is next to a shaded dining/bar area with a deck extending over the lagoon.

It's a relaxed and friendly spot. Guy and Beverley also run a fish farm here (which is fascinating to look around) and Guy can be hired as a specialist fishing guide for around US$100 per day. Note that the camp also hosts the bush offices and main supply base for Okavango Horse Safaris, so don't be surprised if you see horses galloping around as you approach.

Guma Camp is situated in southwest Okavango, overlooking the largest lagoon in the delta. The camp consists of six large safari tents, on concrete platforms under thatch; each tent has electricity and en suite facilities in attached reed boma -- flush toilets, hot showers, etc. Meals are taken at a central pub/dining room, leading onto a platform out over the lagoon; accommodation at Guma is full board, incl. drinks (except bottled wine); hosts Geoff & Nookie Randall are respectively famous for his pub and her table!

Boats are fast, open aluminium craft, approx 6 metres, with 50/70 hp outboards. Fishing in the lagoon can be good, especially for various bream species, but the best tiger fishing is usually in the main river, 30 minutes away by boat. Geoff is an expert angler and knows his waters well. The lodge carries a full range of spinning and other tackle.

COST: Guma Lodge is R596 pps pd, fully inclusive, with guided fishing. Children and non fishing pilots - 50%, single supplement is charged only if camp is full. Birdlife in the area is excellent but wildlife limited.

GUMA also has a self-catering section accommodating eight people in four tents, serviced daily, linen provided, at R65 per person sharing. Boats are then not included -- R654 per boat per day, including driver, fuel, lunch, baits, tackle if required.

Meals may be taken at the lodge by prior arrangement -- Pula 45 dinner, 30 lunch, 20 breakfast (approx R124 per day.)

GETTING THERE ... BY AIR - One can fly Jhb/Maun (R1 775 plus R73 airport tax), with AIR BOTSWANA, and then charter across the delta from Maun with Mack Air -- return charter flight price depends on group size: R555 if five pax, R684 if four pax, R872 if three pax, R1 287 if two pax and R2 535 if only 1 pax.

... OR BY ROAD - One can now drive to within 15 km of Guma on good tar roads (290 km from Maun). Your vehicle is left under guard in the village of Etsa, and the lodge collects you -- by boat in wet years, by 4x4 in dry.

If driving, we strongly recommend you make it a two-day drive; do NOT drive in Botswana after dark, too many animals on the roads. We recommend overnight at Nata Lodge, approx 250 km past Francistown and about 10 km before the town of Nata. That leaves you 300 km to Maun, and then 290 km to Etsa.

NOTE: Compulsory govt tax of P10 pp pn at main camp, P5 pp at campsite and P5 pp pn for medical Insurance (compulsory for main camp) must be pre-paid in SA.Prices valid as at 15 Apr '98 and are subject to change.

How to get there
One can fly Jhb/Maun with Air Botswana (U$ 455) plus airport taxes, and then charter fly across the delta from Maun. Nguma clients land directly at the lodge’s new private airstrip adjoining the lodge.
Charter rates depend on number of clients and change constantly – please enquire.

…OR BY ROAD - One can now drive to within 20 km of Guma on good tar roads (280 km from Maun). Four wheel drives can get to either lodge, except in extreme water years, but vehicles of Nguma clients can also be left under lockup in the village of Etsa, 20 km from the lodge, where Nguma collects you by pre-arrangement. If driving, we strongly recommend you make it a two-day drive. Do NOT drive in Botswana after dark – unfenced roads and too many large animals attracted to the tar roads for warmth. We recommend overnights at either Nata Lodge, which is on the main Francistown-Maun road, or at Leroo-la-Tou Lodge, on the edge of the Makgadigadi Salt Pans.
For Nata Lodge the best route is through the Martins Drift border post, then via Selibe Phikwe to Francistown and Nata. The lodge is about 250 km from Francistown and 10 km before the town of Nata. That leaves you 300 km to Maun, and then 280 km to Etsa, all on tar. The small (14 bed) Leroo-la-Tau is on a different route – still enter Botswana at Martins Drift, but then via Serowe, Orapa, Rakops, Khumaga, Lodge, all tar. About six hours from Martin’s Drift, but only 150 km from Maun.

In this section

• Drotskys
• Guma Lodge
• Mbiroba
• Nguma Island
• Nxamaseri
• Shakawe
• Xaro