South Africa and Botswana Self Drive

This Botswana and South Africa self-drive starts with 2 nights in Pilanesberg National Park. Make e.g. your first game drives here and familiarise yourself with the 4×4 and the also the camping gear.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 180 km.

Game drives and relaxation, enjoy the sunset and e.g. a South African barbecue (braai) on the campsite.

Accommodation: camping.

After a relaxing start, the drive to Botswana is a slightly longer one. You will arrive at the Khama Rhino Sancutary in the afternoon. In Khama you make e.g. a game drive and get used to driving in deep Botswana sand. There is also a viewing hide where you can watch the animals drink. With a little luck you will see multiple rhino’s this afternoon.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 450 km.

A relaxing day to discover this small park. You will meet the rhino for sure.

Accommodation: camping.

Kubu Island in the Makgadikgadi salt pans is your next destination in Botswana. The journey will first take you across gravel and tarmac roads, but after that the real 4×4 adventure begins with a winding track across stretches of salt pans. After various cattle fences you will be able to see Kubu Island on the horizon. The campsite is simple and located near the island. Discover Kubu Island on foot and enjoy the big view and a stunning sunset.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 250 km.

Head straight across the Ntwetwe pan today, which is definitely one of the main attractions of this self-drive journey. The dusty journey will be rewarded with a stay at Planet Baobab in Gweta.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 110 km.

A short drive to Maun. After 6 nights of camping there is a lodge for this night. You can arrange various things for your journey in Maun, like buying supplies and tanking Diesel for the coming days of wildlife reserves.

Accommodation: B&B. Travel distance: 200 km.

After spending the morning in Maun, continue to the Moremi Game Reserve. Third Bridge, at the border of the Okavango Delta, is today’s destination. After you’ve crossed Buffalo Fence, this day will be filled with game drives and spotting the safari animals of the reserve. You have a good chance of seeing lions, hyenas, and leopards, just as elephants and antelopes. The campsites in Botswana do not have fences, so various animals will visit the camp during the day and in the night.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 130 km.

The 4×4 journey from 3rd Bridge to Khwai in the Moremi Game Reserve is one big game drive where you’ll see many animals. We advise you to start early so you can make another game drive loop around the Savuti camp before you go on to the Moremi Reserve. Arrive at North Gate and the Khwai campsite in the afternoon. After setting up camp, you can relax or go on an evening game drive along the Khwai River.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 60 km.

Travel north from Moremi and deep into Chobe National Park. The 4×4 is indispensable on the sandy tracks. Arrive in Savuti in the afternoon. This part of Chobe is well-known for its bull elephants and the Savuti Pride (a lion pride) living in the Savuti Marsh. Savuti Channel, running through the area and ending in the Savuti Marsh, was dry for many years, but water has been running through for several years now. In the afternoon, you’ll have plenty of time for an extensive game drive and continue to explore this remarkable region of Botswana.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 110 km.

A bumpy ride across dirt roads leads straight through Chobe National Park to Ihaha at the Chobe River. You can make a game drive in the morning before you head for Ihaha. In addition to seeing the many kinds of antelopes, it’s very likely you’ll meet lions, elephants, and bison.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 140 km.

Head east next, and follow the Chobe River to Kasane. On the way you have a good chance of spotting animals, like elephants at watering places. Arrive at the Chobe Safari Lodge in the afternoon, where you can go on a sunset cruise on the Chobe River.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 40 km.

A day off in Kasane. Make a day excursion to the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, or explore Chobe National Park for a day.

Accommodation: camping.

Continue your self-drive 4×4 back south, and on to Nata, at the edge of the Makgadikgadi salt pan.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 320 km.

The next destination is the Tuli Block in Botswana’s southeast. Stay at the Molema campsite at the Limpopo River.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 480 km.

A day off in the Tuli Block. Relax at the Limpopo River, where you can see many birds and waterfowl. Or visit Solomon’s Wall, which is fantastic.

Accommodation: camping.

Marakele National Park is the last destination of this beautiful self-drive trip through Southern Africa.

Accommodation: camping. Travel distance: 380 km.

An entire day to explore this park and drive to the top of the mountain. You can find a remarkable population of vulture here. Organise a conclusion barbecue here and look back on a very special journey.

Accommodation: camping.

The last day of the journey. Today you will have time to sleep in and go for one final game drive. When you’re done, return to Johannesburg. After returning the car at the agency you will be escorted to the airport for the flight back home.