18 Night Botswana Self-drive

After picking up your vehicle and camping equipment in Johannesburg, travel 2 ¹/₂ hours north to spend the night at Matamba Bush Campsite in the Waterberg area, conveniently situated for entering Botswana the next day.

Cross into Botswana, driving as far as the Khama Rhino Sanctuary – a community run project aimed at re-introducing rhinos into the wild. KRS is actually a small game reserve and is situated around a pan. Game viewing can be very rewarding here, and many visitors consider the Khama Rhino Sanctuary to be one of the highlights of their trip. The campsites are attractively set around Manketti trees.

The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is one of the world’s largest, at nearly 53,000km². The feeling of space and sheer freedom is magical – a true wilderness experience. Spend two nights camping in the reserve at Kori campsite in the Deception Valley.

Drive to Khumaga in the western region of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, by the Boteti River. Boteti River campsite overlooks the river, and game drives are possible along the riverfront.

Drive to Maun where you stock up on supplies ready for your trip to Moremi and Chobe. Spend the next night at Crocodile Camp on the outskirts of Maun by the Thamalakane River.

Today you will do a half day mokoro (dug-out canoe) guided trip into the Delta. Your guide will show you the fauna and flora of the delta area as you meander along the channels and waterways. The trip includes a packed lunch and you will leave your vehicle at the lodge, returning back in the late afternoon.

Drive to Moremi Game Reserve – on the edge of the Okavango Delta. Moremi is on the edge of the Okavango Delta and is one of the most spectacular wildlife destinations in Africa. Spend two nights camping at Khwai campsite.

Travel through the Chobe National Park, spending the next two nights at the famous Savuti campsite. Savuti is famous for its elephants, lions and hyenas, all of which visit the campsite area.

Spend the next night camping at Muchenje campsite from where you will explore the western riverfront area of the park. Muchenje is located in the Chobe Enclave overlooking the Chobe floodplain.

Drive along the riverfront to Kasane where you spend the night at The Old House. In the afternoon you will do a sunset river cruise along the Chobe River. This is a highlight of many a visitor’s trip to Botswana, and amazing sights such as elephant crossing the river to feed on the grassy islands are never forgotten.

Today you will do a day trip to the Victoria Falls, leaving your vehicle at the lodge.

Head south from Kasane to Planet Baobab – a traditionally styled grass hut village shaded by giant baobab trees which are lit up at night. Camp for the night here.

Leave your vehicle at Planet Baobab while you do a guided overnight trip to Ntwetwe Pan. Visit the meerkats on the way, where you have the opportunity to get close to these incredible creatures. After that you board quad bikes at the edge of the pan and drive out to where you will camp – on the pan itself. As the sun goes down, you will enjoy a barbeque dinner, before snuggling into your bedrolls under the Makgadikgadi night sky. Return to Planet Baobab the following morning after breakfast.

Continue south as far as Francistown, spending the night camping at Woodlands stop-over, just outside the town. Accommodation is on a private farm by the dry Tati river, and there is a swimming pool and a barbecue area. A large variety of bushveld bird species can be seen from the viewing deck by the river on the edge of the river.

Cross back into South Africa and spend the final night at Zebras Crossing Lodge in the Waterberg Biosphere. Accommodation is on a full board basis with local drinks and 1x activity included.