Along the southwestern edge of Sowa Pan is Kubu Island, a ghostly, baobab-laden rock, which is entirely surrounded by a sea of salt. In Setswana, kubu means 'hippopotamus' (because there used to be lots here) and, as unlikely as it may seem given the current environment and climate, this desolate area may have been inhabited by people as recently as 500 years ago.
On one shore lies an ancient crescent-shaped stone wall of unknown origin, which has yielded numerous artefacts. The island is now protected as a national monument, with proceeds going to the local community. There is also a small camp site with pit toilets, though you will have to carry in your own water.
Access to Kubu Island involves negotiating a maze of grassy islets and salty bays. Increased traffic has now made the route considerably more obvious, but drivers still need a 4WD and a compass or GPS equipment. From the Nata-Maun highway, the track starts near Zoroga (GPS: S 20°10.029', E 25°56.898'), about 24km west of Nata. After about 72km, the village of Thabatshukudu (GPS: S 20°42.613', E 25°47.482') will appear on a low ridge. This track then skirts the western edge of a saltpan for 10.3km before passing through a veterinary checkpoint. Just under 2km further south, a track (17km) heads southeast to the northern end of Kubu.
From the Francistown-Rakops Rd, turn north at the junction for Letlhakane and proceed 25km until you reach Mmatshumo village. About 21km further north is a veterinary checkpoint. After another 7.5km, an 18km track heads northeast to the southern end of Kubu. This turn-off (GPS: S 20°56.012', E 25°40.032') is marked by a small cairn.
