Botswana Wildlife & Salt Pans Self Drive

14 days Africa adventure in a compact 4×4 Botswana self drive trip.

Botswana wildlife & salt pans trip

An adventurous safari trip through Botswana, starting in Kasane and ending in Maun. During this 4×4 self-drive tour you will visit the Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, the Kalahari Desert and the vast Makgadikgadi salt pans, including the special Kubu Island. Optionally at this Botswana trip is a longer stay in Kasane or Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe). For this Botswana safari, you can use a flight to Kasane, Victoria Falls or Livingstone.

Advantages of self-drive 4×4 package trips

Including support and professional safari travel advice.
Including GPS use with the latest version of Tracks4Africa software and all 4×4 tracks, way points and destinations for your journey.
Optional a complete Zero Excess insurance incl. glass and tires.
12v220 inverter with USB.
Lonely Planet travel guide and clear Reise Know-How maps.
A perfectly planned travel itinerary with ideal travelling distances.

Itinerary

1: Kasane
2: Kasane / Victoria Falls
3: Chobe National Park/Ihaha
4: Chobe National Park/Savuti
5: Moremi Game Reserve/Khwai
6: Moremi Game reserve/Third Bridge
7: Maun
8: Makgadikgadi Saltpans/ Planet Baobab
9: Makgadikgadi Saltpans/Kubu Island
10: Central Kalahari Game Reserve/Sunday Pan
11: Central Kalahari Game Reserve/Sunday Pan
12: Central Kalahari Game Reserve/Sunday Pan
13: Maun
14: Return flight

2 nights B&B accommodation

11 nights camping

14 days 4x4 car rental

Route & itinerary

14days

Day 1: Kasane

The first day of your self drive tour through Botswana. Upon arrival you will meet our partner of the car rental company for a transfer to the depot and for an extensive instruction and handling of formalities. A short drive to the camp for the first night in Botswana. Optionally is to make a sunset cruise on the Chobe River.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 10 km.

Day 2: Kasane / Victoria Falls

A full day leisure time. It’s possible to make a day trip to the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or drive around in the Chobe National Park for a full day.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: to Victoria Falls 160 km.

Optional is not to make a day trip to the Victoria Falls but stabbing the border with the car and stay two nights in Victoria Falls, costs are not included in the trip.

Day 3: Chobe National Park/Ihaha

A short drive in distance across the Chobe Park on the Chobe River. Although the distance is less than 40 km, the trip can take several hours. This is a full game drive and with a little luck you will see several large safari animals during the journey. It is not unlikely to see lions, elephants and buffaloes species besides many antelopes.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 38 km.

Day 4: Chobe National Park/Savuti

After the Chobe Riverfront you travel to the south and deeper into the Chobe National Park. On the sandy tracks the 4×4 comes in handy. During the afternoon you arrive in Savuti. This part of Chobe is famous for it’s Bull elephants and the Savuti Pride (pride of lions) which lives in the Savuti Marsh. The Savuti Channel which runs through the area and empties into the Savuti Marsh has been dry for many decades but for some years water flows again. In the afternoon there is sufficient time to do an extensive game drive and to further explore this particular area of Botswana.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 130 km.

Day 5: Moremi Game Reserve/Khwai

The 4×4 trip to Savuti Khwai in the Moremi Game Reserve is a large game drive where you will see many animals on the move. The advice is to start early with a game drive around the Savuti camp before to continuing the trip to the Moremi Game Reserve. During the afternoon you will arrive at Northgate and the Khwai campsite. After building up the camp there is time to relax and make an evening game drive along the Khwai River.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 110 km.

Day 6: Moremi Game reserve/Third Bridge

After the morning game drive you continue the journey through the Moremi Game Reserve to the second camp, Third Bridge on the edge of the Okavango Delta. This day is completely dedicated to game drives and spotting the many safari animals living in the Moremi Reserve. You have a good chance to see lions, hyenas, elephants and antelopes. The camps in the parks of Botswana are not fenced and the various animals will also be during the day and night in the camp.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 55 km.

Day 7: Maun

After the morning game drive, this selfdrive now travels back to civilization. After 4 nights in the game parks now the comfort of a chalet at the lodge in Maun. A pleasant change.

Accommodation: B&B. Travel distance: 130 km.

Day 8: Makgadikgadi Saltpans/ Planet Baobab

In the early morning there is time to make a flight over the Okavango Delta. Then this 4×4 tour continues to the east. The village of Gweta and Planet Baobab camp on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are the next destination.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 215 km.

Day 9: Makgadikgadi Saltpans/Kubu Island

Today a beautiful drive to Kubu Island on this 4×4 itinerary. You will cross the Nwetwe salt pan and arrive at lunchtime at Kubu Island. The dusty journey will be rewarded with a special scenery; a rocky island full of magnificent baobab trees. The camp site is simple and located near the island. On foot you can explore Kubu Island and enjoy the wide views and beautiful sunsets.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 150 km.

Day 10: Central Kalahari Game Reserve/Sunday Pan

After Kubu Island now a long day of travel towards the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Advice this morning is to leave early. The ride goes first to the south of the Salt Pans and then you get a piece of smooth asphalt, a pleasant change. The turn-off to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is a dusty dirty road. After arriving in the vast Kalahari Reserve you travel further to Pan Sunday.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 320 km.

Day 11: Central Kalahari Game Reserve/Sunday Pan

A full day to make game drives in the Kalahari Desert. You go in search of the Kalahari lion with it’s dark mane. You also have a chance to see the rare brown hyena. Jackals, Bat Eared Foxes and a Honey Badger are always seen. Antelopes you will see are the Gemsbok with its long horns and Sprinkbok. Both animals can survive in this extremely arid desert area.

Accommodation: camping.

Day 12: Central Kalahari Game Reserve/Sunday Pan

The second full day in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

Accommodation: camping.

Day 13: Maun

After the Central Kalahari is now the civilization of Maun on the itinerary. Today the first part of the journey is on dirty roads, the second part is on asphalt roads. Option is to drive the route along the Kuke (koekie) fence. This, however, is a slower route.

Accommodation: lodge. Travel distance: 300 km.

Day 14: Return flight

The last day in Botswana, today you can fly back to Johannesburg or to any other destination in Southern Africa.

Changing the itinerary?

It is always possible to adapt this journey to your personal wishes. Limiting the journey or adding an extra destination, is no problem at all.
We are happy to help!

Your 4x4 rental car

Toyota Hilux Double Cab 4×4

The default car is a Toyota Hilux 4×4 double cab 2.4 Diesel. The Toyota Hilux double cab is the most perfect 4×4 rental car for a self-drive safari in Africa. Zowel voor 2 als voor 4 personen is de Hilux double cab de beste keuze. Available for both 2 and 4 people, the Hilux is the best choice. For travels with 5 people (two adults and three children) the Hilux double cab can also be used. If you’re with just two people, the back seat is especially useful for photo bags, day packs and supplies.

It has much space and comfort, and has sleeping places in the roof tent. This Toyota Hilux Double Cab 4×4 has a separate boot where you can safely store your travel bags, together with all the camping equipment for your self-drive journey in Southern Africa.

It is possible to upgrade car at extra costs. See all our 4×4 rental cars.

Rates

Prices per person for various dates in 2021 and 2022. The Botswana Salt Pans Self Drive trip is available for 2 to 4 people per car. The default car is a Toyota Hilux 4×4 double cab 2.4 Diesel. The price for 5 people or more can for example be requested and depends on the local possibilities and space in the preferred car. 4×4 cars (Land Cruiser or 4×4 camper) other than the default 4×4 car are available upon request.