By air

Virtually all of the visitors to the three lodges arrive and leave via Xakanaxa airstrip, which is easily linked with any of the other airstrips in the region.

Driving from Xakanaxa to North Gate

It's about 44km to drive directly from Xakanaxa to North Gate; just head east from Xakanaxa airstrip (GPS: XAKAIR). Ask advice from the camp's office before you set off as sometimes this road is blocked by high water levels. If that's the case, then you have no choice but to go the long way around – via South Gate (see the routes given below).

Driving from Xakanaxa to South Gate

Many would travel from Xakanaxa to South Gate via Third Bridge, using the route described in the next section, as the scenery's more varied and, in the dry season, I'd expect the game to be better – especially around the Mboma Island area.

However, if you do need the most direct route, then a track heads southeast from near the western end of Xakanaxa's airstrip, and takes about 42km to reach South Gate. The route is generally good, even when it's wet, apart from a number of clay pans which can be sticky.

Driving from Third Bridge to South Gate

I always find the tracks around Mboma Island confusing, but to reach South Gate you set off west onto Mboma Island from Third Bridge. Keep bearing left when the road forks and after 3–4km you'll be travelling south. The road then bends east, south and even west until you reach another pole bridge which is known, rather unimaginatively, as Second Bridge (GPS: 2BRIDG).

Crossing this, you'll then head southeast towards another pole bridge referred to as (surprise!) First Bridge (GPS: 1BRIDG). From here it's an uncomplicated drive southeast to South Gate, with the vast majority of the trip through mopane woodlands.