On the paved road between Maun and Nata, which we have driven several times during the past year, we saw monuments on each side of the road designating the entrance to a place called Planet Baobab. The animal monument is a statue of an ant bear (anteater); the other structure is a globe circled by the words "Planet Baobab and Kalahari Surf Club". During our Eastern holiday road trip we finally decided to drive the one kilometer off-road into the bush to check out the place.

It is a lodge catering to tourists, but is unlike those we have visited in other parts of Botswana. Several online sites describe the decor as "funky," which is an apt description. We were pleased with the quoted prices for meals and accommodation, and decided to stay the night in a bushman hut, one of several types of rooms available. It was similar in appearance and furnishings to the hut in Gudigwa that we used in December, but without an attached bathroom; we used the camping ablutions instead. The ablution blocks are superb in every way. They are well-designed, beautifully decorated and spotless, with plenty of hot water in the showers and sinks. We were there in time for dinner, and the cooking and table service were outstanding. We considered it an ideal place to bring the visitors expected from the U.S. during the next three months.