As you may know, Botswana is a completely landlocked country, devoid of any coastline.

So, an island?

Over 10,000 years ago, this area was once a vast saltwater lake. Within it sat a solitary island. However, over time, the lake dried up completely, leaving behind only the salt-rich earth, forming what we now know as a salt flat.

And amidst this vast expanse of flat, white land stands the “jutting rock” – the island itself. In Setswana (the language of Botswana), this “jutting rock” is called “lekubu,” thus giving rise to the name Lekubu Island.

Incidentally, it’s sometimes referred to as “Kubu” Island, but “Kubu” translates to “hippopotamus” in Setswana. While this may seem different from the concept of a “jutting rock,” perhaps during the time when there was water, it resembled a hippopotamus. Personally, I sometimes refer to it as “Lekubu” or “Kubu” depending on my mood, but either way, it’s generally understood.

Within this confined space (about 1 km in length), numerous baobab trees intertwine their long roots, coexisting harmoniously.

This location falls within the vast Makgadikgadi Pans, a salt flat you might have heard of. The landscape here is truly mysterious, evoking a sense of being on a completely different planet, with an endless horizon stretching before you.

And what I would highly recommend not missing out on is witnessing the sunrise over the vast horizon beyond Kubu Island!

To do so, spend a night here. While there are no lodge facilities, let’s camp!
Even in such remote areas, we’ll ensure your camping experience is top-notch.