Located in
Botswana :: Chobe/Kasane
:: Savuti
Category:
Attraction :: Interesting Places
The Mababe depression lies in the area between Maun and Savuti and starts in the vicinity of the village of Mababe approximately 115 kilometres NE of Maun. It has some of the worst clays to be found in Botswana and is best avoided in the rainy season. The Khwai river can also cause problems in the Mababe depression as it sometimes floods its banks as was the case in October 2008 when it made the road through Mababe village impassable to all vehicles. Traveller's need to exercise caution in this area, especially when asking advice from the locals in the village as it has been known that they deliberately advise drivers to take certain routes which in actual fact result in the vehicle become severely stuck in deep mud. They then demand a recovery fee in the order of 750 Pula to help in recovering your vehicle. To avoid problems at the Mababe depression drive around the East side of Mababe village. There is a road network East of the village which you can use to drive around the flooded Khwai river. If you're going North then keep the Khwai river in view and on your left side, if you're going South then keep it on your right side. Only do this in the DRY season though as the roads to the East of Mababe are in a marshy area. In the wet season you'll not be able to drive through this area. All river crossings in the area must also be approached with the necessary caution as there are often deep holes in the river bed that are not visible from the riverbank.