The Travel Thread

Some stunning campsites along the western side of the Kavango Panhandle

Tucked between Rundu and the Botswana border, this lush riverfront offers a more personal Okavango experience.
Mariana Balt

Southern African border towns with big stories

Border towns may not top travel lists, but they are rich with stories, cultural crossings and historical echoes.
Mariana Balt

The psychology of the open road

The road, with its unhurried pace and open-endedness, helps disentangle stress and reset priorities.
Mariana Balt

Birding for the barely interested

Many casual travellers find that simply pausing to notice the local feathered life adds depth to their journey.
Mariana Balt

Traditions that travel with you

We still use the ambisieblokke (ambition blocks) instead of ablusieblokke (ablutions) at campsites and fondly mark Vlentersburg (Ventersburg) and Parasburg (Karasburg) on our routes.
Mariana Balt

How to travel without leaving a trace

Rubbish deserves your attention. Pack it in, pack it out.
Mariana Balt

DIY travel itineraries using offline tools

Planning on paper lets the journey evolve without the buzz of constant alerts.
Mariana Balt

Waterways, warthogs and wonder: A journey into Botswana

If our trusty 1998 Nissan 2.7 Turbo Diesel 4x4 can handle it, any vehicle with decent ground clearance should too.
Mariana Balt

Unusual places to sleep under the stars

By choosing one of these unusual retreats, travellers trade the ordinary for a unique stay under the stars.
Mariana Balt

Journey through Southern Africa's untamed landscapes

The appeal of a self-drive safari lies in slowing down. Travellers wake to soft light filtering through canvas walls, not the beep of a hotel alarm.
Mariana Balt