In the very northern corner of NG30 (GPS: GUBANA – 19°32.733’S, 22°57.832’E), Gubanare is about 11km due east of Kanana and almost exactly the same distance from its own airstrip, which is 45 minutes’ drive southeast of camp. It’s a relatively new camp, having opened in August 1999, and is just a few kilometres’ drive from the Boro River, slightly upstream of the old riverside camps in NG27B.
Its design is a fairly standard, classic safari camp. The main lounge, bar and dining area is raised up on a hardwood deck with two comfy sitting areas and a long dining table. The bar is made from an old mokoro and over the whole open-plan area is a canvas roof. A relaxed ambience is helped by atmospheric candles and paraffin lanterns (although the camp does have a generator for essentials like fridges and charging video batteries).
Gubanare’s rooms are all large Meru-style tents based on solid plinths to raise them slightly off the ground. The tiled veranda at the front has a couple of canvas director’s chairs, kept cool by a large shade that extends right over the tent. Inside are two single beds with bedside tables, a wardrobe, a safety deposit box, a fan and a suitcase stand. At the back there’s a large toilet area with flush toilet, washbasin and hot shower.
Activities revolve around 4WD game drives and night drives in Toyotas (with three rows of three seats in the back). Short walks are often possible, though with Landela’s walking camps nearby, the emphasis is on driving. The Boro River is a 45-minute drive from camp, and it’s also usually possible to go on a boat trip. (The river is about 10–15m wide here, and usually 2–3m deep.) While water levels are high, around June to Oct, there are sometimes enough shallow-water areas for mokoro trips. If you fancy a swim ... use the pool back at the lodge!