African Reservations

Woodlands Stop Over is situated on the site of the original "Hunters' Road" previously travelled by hunters, naturalists, explorers and missionaries on their way to the Victoria Falls in the 18th Century.

The 7 Riverview rooms, which all overlook the Tati River, are beautifully furnished and decorated. Comfortable 3/4 beds with fresh, crisp linen and clean en-suite facilities are gratefully appreciated after a long journey. Each room has a user friendly kitchenette containing a fridge, microwave, kettle, cutlery and crockery.

The luxurious 2 bed roomed woodlands cottage is fully equipped for the self-catering traveller. It is nestled amongst the trees along the beautiful banks of the Tati River. The full length veranda offers space and privacy. It overlooks a secluded, private braai area with the river visible behind. Rhodesian teak furniture and local art pieces create a warm and homely atmosphere. A feature area is the attractive fire place for the chilly winter nights. The spacious kitchen will delight the caterer and family alike and the two bedrooms have two 3/4 beds each and their own bathroom en-suite.

Directions: Once on the A3 North (Nata/Kasane) Road look out for the "Woodlands Kingfisher" sign on the right hand side of the road 10 km North of Francistown. (The sign board turnoff is exactly 2km after the Orapa Rd turnoff.) When travelling south on the A3 the sign board is clearly visible on the left-hand side of the road about 190km south of Nata. (8km after you have passed the sign board stating 20 km to Francistown.) Once off the main road you will find the dirt road leading to the campsite easily passable, with non 4WD vehicles, and well sign posted.

The Hunters' Road: A romantic name for what is still a romantic place. The country on either side of that track is still as wild as when Selous hunted here. If anything, there is more game now than there was in his day. Although it was eventually abandoned in favour of a better route to the east, it was, in its heyday, the most direct route to the Victoria Falls via Tati, a town that existed before Francistown ever did. Early travellers came up the Tati River to Maitengwe then turned north onto Nata following the border of present day Zimbabwe and Botswana. Names such as Nunga, Jauri, Tamafupa, Tamasanka, Jolley’s, Stoffel’s, Gurrea and Cram of Tartar were well known to all who used this track, as they were the names of the pans found alongside the road from Nata to the Zambezi. In order to survive the journey, it was essential some of the pans contained water.

Today the Hunters’ Road has long since fallen into obscurity and the names of the pans are known only to the avid reader of the narratives of those days and Botswana hunters of the last decade or two. As a track it survives only because it became the international boundary between Bechuanaland and Rhodesia.

Although one can’t travel the road in it’s entirety in this day and age certain places are still accessible. It is still possible to visit the original site of old Tati Town which is situated approximately 60 km South East of Francistown. Or visit the memorial wall and wagon wheel on another site of the Hunter’s Road at the entrance to Woodlands. Another option is to catch the track north of the Nata at Ngwasha and travel up to Panamatenga and even onto Kasane.