Kasane

Kasane is one of Botswana’s major tourist towns, mostly because of its strategic location close to national parks and a few neighbouring countries. It’s a small and mostly unappealing town, but its location in the north-east of the country, just around the corner from Chobe National Park, makes it worth a visit. Situated on the banks of the Chobe River, it is within driving distance of no less than 3 other countries. The town itself is small with just 9000 inhabitants, but with a range of lodges along the Chobe River, shopping malls, plenty of gas stations and an international airport, it attracts tourists far exceeding its inhabitants!

Africa’s Four Corners

The place where Zambia’s Zambezi River meets Botswana’s Chobe River, and where Botswana’s roads meet the Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe borders… This is Africa’s Four Corners, or the Kazungula Quadripoint – the only place in the world where four countries (nearly) meet. The town of Kasane lies right in the middle of it, spread along the Chobe River. A short boat trip can take you to the Namibian Impalila Island, and being so close to the Zimbabwean border, it only takes 2 hours to reach the magnificent Victoria Falls (by road that is!).

Wildlife and activities all around

Even without crossing into other countries, Kasane is worth a visit. With Chobe National Park around the corner, it’s not unusual to see an elephant wandering around the lodge or catch warthogs crossing the road. Boat safaris on the Chobe River give you the chance to see groups of elephants gathering on the shores, while in town, a medicinal hot spring awaits. The Caracal Biodiversity Centre cares for endangered and threatened animals and teaches visitors about its conservation efforts. Then, at a short drive, Chobe National Park offers even more opportunities to discover Botswana’s spectacular wildlife.

The baobab prison

On the main road of Kasane lies the town’s police station, home to a huge and ancient baobab tree. It’s standing right in front of the building; magnificent, very wide and, as baobabs sometimes are, hollow inside. Over the centuries, this particular tree served various remarkable purposes. It once functioned as a labour recruitment office, and before that, it was used to collect mail for redistribution in the Chobe region. Most famously, however, it acted as Kasane’s prison before the official one was built. It could hold up to 14 prisoners at a time!