GENERAL INFORMATION With a surface area of 581 730km^2, Botswana is roughly the size of France or Texas and is entirely landlocked. Botswana is a semi arid country with 84% of it covered by the sands of the Kalahari (Kgalagadi). The total population in 2006 is estimated at 1.85 million people, most of who are settled in the east and southeast, with over 50% of the population settled in urban areas. The age structure is weighted towards the younger age group with about 43% being younger than 15 years old. Batswana (the citizens of Botswana) are the most numerous people in the country, with two related tribes (Batawana & Bamangwato) forming about 50% of the population. Six other smaller tribes make up 45%, and the balance is a mix of other ethnic groups. The oldest ethnic group is the Basarwa (or San bushmen). The official language is English, which is used in government and business affairs, whilst Setswana is the National language and widely spoken. The currency of Botswana, the Pula (= 100 thebe), means “rain” and is also a local greeting. Location Kubu Lodge is located in the little village of Kazungula in far northern Botswana. Overlooking the Chobe River, the lodge is 2km upstream from the confluence with the Zambezi River where four countries meet – Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The property encompasses 30 hectares of pristine riverine forest and is mostly undeveloped. This provides a sanctuary for the usually shy Chobe Bushbuck as well as a host of other small animals and prolific birdlife. The entry gate to the Chobe National Park is a mere 12km away.
	Seasons and Weather Kubu Lodge closes for the month of February and reopens on the 2^nd March 2012 – 25^th January 2013. Weather: November to April – warm to hot with highs of 30-35°C and lows averaging 20°C. Rain can be expected, particularly between December and March. May to August – cool to warm with highs 20-25°C and lows averaging 10°C. July can be cold with temperatures reaching 5°C in the early mornings. Days are dry with clear, sunny skies. September to November – hot to very hot with highs of 35-40°C and lows averaging 26°C. Days are dry and sunny with occasional strong winds.
	Health and Dietary Requirements All dietary requirements are catered for (intolerances, vegetarian, etc.). Please advise us at time of booking of any such requirements. Malaria is endemic year round. Please consult your doctor for appropriate malaria prophylactics and vaccination requirements.
	Insurance Guests must hold adequate and comprehensive travel insurance including medical, lost luggage and cancellation cover.
	Access Scheduled commercial flights from Johannesburg, South Africa fly into: * Kasane International Airport, Botswana (Air Botswana) * Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe (SAA, British Airways) * Livingstone Airport, Zambia (SAA, British Airways, 1Time) Road transfers from all these arrival/departure points can be arranged at time of reservation. Kasane is easily accessible on tar roads via: * Ngoma border post from Katima Mulilo, Namibia * Kazungula border post from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe * Kazungula ferry border from Livingstone, Zambia * Francistown and Maun via Nata Access from Maun, via Moremi Game Reserve and Savute through the Chobe National Park, is strictly with 4-wheel drive vehicle. All relevant park fees and licences for this route must be settled in Maun or Kasane at the Wildlife Department Offices before departure as no revenue is collected at park entrance gates.
	Lodge Information Chalets: There are 11 wooden chalets, all thatched and elevated on stilts each with a balcony. The following units are available: 3 Double Bed Chalets (with a single bed in as well) 2 Double Bed Chalets 4 Triple/Twin Chalets (3 twin beds) 1 Twin Chalet (2 twin beds) 1 Quad Chalet (2 twin beds and 1 bunk bed for children 4 – 11yrs) Please note the lodge is not wheelchair friendly. Full en-suite with hot (electric) and cold running water, shower, flush toilet, hand basin, hairdryer and plug point for electric shaver. A ceiling fan, tea/coffee machine and mosquito net over each bed are provided. Pool: Set down by the river with pool loungers under the trees. Towels are available from reception. Main Area: The restaurant consists of an indoor dining room, with an upstairs lounge and bar. A two tier wooden verandah allows for meals to be set outdoors. A separate “braai” (barbecue) area leads to a small boma that is available for private dinners. When not in use, the boma may also be used by guests to enjoy their tea/coffee around the fire. Summer House: Situated behind chalet 7, the reading lounge is comfortably furnished with a comprehensive Africana book and magazine selection. Board games are available as is a writing desk. Meals: Breakfast – buffet with full English breakfast. Lunch – salad buffet with table d’hote main course and dessert Dinner – three course table d’hote Special meals and dietary requirements are catered for on request. Shopping: A well stocked gift shop is located in the reception. Laundry: A same day (weather permitting) laundry service is available at a nominal fee.
	RATES Rates are quoted in US$ on a bed and breakfast basis per chalet and are inclusive of 12% VAT and Government Bed Levy. All extras should be settled direct at the lodge. Visa, Mastercard, Travellers’ Cheque, all major foreign currencies and Botswana Pula are welcome. The lodge does not cater for children under 4 years of age. Rates may change without prior notice
	Chalet Rates Valid March 2012 – Jan 2013 Double/Twin Single Triple/Family Restaurant (Per Person) Lunch Dinner Activities (Per Person) Boat cruise (3 hours) Game drive (3 hours) Fishing charter (3 hours) Boat Cruise lower Chobe Transfer to/from Kasane Airport Crocodile Farm Visit Biodiversity Centre	US$310.00 US$255.00 US$390.00 US$25.00 US$45.00 US$45.00 US$45.00 Price on request US$135.00 US$20.00 US$10.00 US$15.00
	Payment and Cancellations A deposit of the first night’s accommodation is required on confirmation of the booking. Full payment is required eight weeks prior to arrival date. Cancellation Fees apply as follows: 10 – 21 days – 50% cancellation fee 0 – 10 days – 100% cancellation fee
	ACTIVITIES Game Viewing: Guests may choose from 3 game viewing activities per day: * Dawn game drive (06h00 – 09h00) * Mid morning game drive or boat cruise (09h30–12h30 in summer & 09h00–12h00 in winter) * Afternoon game drive or boat cruise 15h00 – 18h00. Kubu Lodge also offers a short boat cruise from its own jetty to the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers Other: There are several other activities available which can be booked through the lodge reception: * Fully guided fishing charters. Strictly catch and release for a maximum of 3 anglers. * Day Trips (fully guided or self guided) to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. * Self guided “Nature Walk” on the Kubu Lodge property. * Visit to a working Crocodile Farm. * Visit the country’s largest collection of indigenous snakes at the CARACAL Biodiversity Centre. * Health & Beauty – Kwa Maningi Spa is located in Kasane town.
	SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITES Kubu Lodge takes its social responsibilities very seriously and has been intimately involved with the local community in various capacities over the last two decades. Kazungula Childrens’ Ark Support Group - Located on the lodge property is a preschool, day care centre and youth library – Kazungula Children’s Ark. Initiated by Kubu Lodge on request from the community, and in association with social services, KCA is a registered centre governed by a board elected from members in the community. Its aim is to provide a haven for ‘Children at Risk’ - AIDS orphans, needy, destitute and vulnerable children between the ages of two and a half to six years. The twenty nine children cared for daily at KCA enjoy a loving atmosphere, a variety of educational activities and a wholesome nutritional program. Wholly funded by private donations, KCA has proudly graduated 5 classes to ‘Big School’ since its inception. On request, guests may visit the school and children to witness first-hand the dedication and devotion of the volunteers and full time teacher. CARACAL - The Centre for the Conservation of African Resources; Animals, Communities And Land Use is a Botswana registered NGO that recently opened the doors of its ‘Biodiversity Centre’ in Kasane. While the Centre is aimed mainly at education and environmental conservation, they also focus on encouraging local, national and international visitors to share their programmes, projects and information with them. Visitors can experience a very affordable and informative tour of the Centre, with or without a guide, and experience some of Botswana’s more intriguing animals at close range. Spend as long as you want and do as much as you please, but visit the Biodiversity Centre during your visit to Chobe for an experience that you will not get on a game drive or river cruise. CARACAL is a not-for-profit organization, so you will be helping a great cause in the region by supporting the Centre through your visit. The money raised through entry fees goes towards improving the Centre, living conditions of the animals and reputable education, conservation and community programmes.