Self-Drive Botswana Adventure - 11 Days

(Camping)

Third Bridge bridge crossing, self drive Botswana

Self drive roof top tent camping, Botswana

"Right through the heart of Botswana's most remote and wildlife rich areas - this trip was adventurous and needed some 4WD experience but it was also totally mind-blowing!"

This self-drive camping safari showcases the very best of Botswana’s most spectacular wildlife regions. Journey from the fringes of the Okavango Delta to the predator-rich plains of Savuti, and on to the elephant paradise of Chobe National Park – an unforgettable African 4WD adventure that will leave you wanting more.

Begin by exploring Moremi Game Reserve, one of Botswana’s premier safari destinations, set along the edge of the Okavango Delta. Continue north to the floodplains of the Khwai River, a wildlife hotspot renowned for large concentrations of animals, including lions, leopards and other big cats.

Travel on to Chobe National Park, first visiting the iconic Savuti Channel, where dramatic wildlife encounters unfold as elephants, lions and hyenas compete for dominance. The journey then leads to the lush Chobe River floodplains, home to some of Africa’s largest elephant herds, often seen drinking and playing along the riverbanks.

Your self-drive safari concludes in Kasane, with a memorable Chobe River cruise offering outstanding wildlife viewing and the perfect finale to this immersive Botswana wildlife adventure.

Moremi Game Reserve (on the edge of the Okavango Delta) – Savuti in Chobe National Park - Chobe Riverfront

4x4 Hire – 4x4 dual cab with 1 rooftop tent includes camping equipment (Toyota Hilux or similar). Pick up Maun Airport and drop off Kasane Airport. For details of the vehicle types available please see - Self Drive Safaris.
4x4 hire vehicle cover - unlimited kilometres, collision damage waiver (USD3,000 excess), one way drop off fee (Maun - Kasane), second driver, taxes and tourism levies, introduction to vehicle, travel pack and GPS unit.
Accommodation as indicated below.
Afternoon Chobe River cruise (Kasane).
Relevant Travel Africa Information sheets.

With Travel Africa you are safe in the knowledge that you are working with people who are experts in self-drive travel. We have driven the types of vehicles you are looking to hire and driven them in the places, and on the road conditions, that you will experience. We have enjoyed all kinds of self-drive trips in southern Africa for over 25 years – from quick flits along the Garden Route to 8 month adventure trips with fully equipped 4x4s and roof top tents throughout southern Africa.

We give you peace of mind by working closely with you to custom-make and book your itinerary – ensuring you have the most appropriate type of vehicle and accommodation for your trip. We also provide you with detailed trip dossiers, which include routes, directions, tips and hints on driving in southern Africa, ensuring you have all the information you need to enjoy every minute of your trip and feel comfortable and secure with your holiday plan!

Our in-depth knowledge of destinations, conditions, vehicles and equipment, based on extensive personal experience, gives you the peace of mind you need for your self-drive safari.

Interactive itinerary

Detailed itinerary

Pick up your vehicle from Maun International Airport. After settling in to your overnight accommodation, stock up with food, water and fuel as you prepare for your prolonged period driving through Botswana's wilderness areas where there are no shops or petrol stations. In addition, take some time to become familiar with your vehicle and equipment.

Okavango Delta Add-On options:
The perfect add-on to your Botswana trip is a visit to the water and wildlife wonderland that is the Okavango Delta. This truly magnificent landscape and unique ecosystem attracts animals from kilometres around and creates one of Africa’s greatest wildlife concentrations. Travel Africa can assist you with a number of fantastic options to enjoy this special place:

A fly-in package to stay at one of the lodges / camps in the Delta's heart.
An Eastern Delta mobile camping trip providing a walking and mokoro experience for the more budget conscious traveller.
A full day mokoro or boat trip into the Delta - Contact us for details.
A scenic flight over the Delta - Contact us for details.

Stay at:
The Maun Studios or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 140kms, dirt roads - possible water crossings.

Renowned as being one of the most beautiful game reserves in Africa, Moremi offers an abundance of wildlife and birdlife. Unique delta scenery combined with mopane forests and open flood plains. Spend two days searching for animals and birds on the eastern edge of the Okavango Delta where towering mopane forests dominate the flood plains. Wildlife viewing here can only be described as superb, with a very good chance of seeing some of the big cats and wild dog.

An excellent option for an add-on during your stay at Third Bridge is a boat safari further into the Okavango Delta - this can be pre-booked, recommended during peak season (July - October) or arranged on arrival at the camp.

Stay at:
Third Bridge Campsite or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 60kms, dirt roads - possible water crossings.

The Khwai River forms the northern border of Moremi Game Reserve and the Khwai Community Trust Concession lies along this river between Moremi and Chobe National Park. This is a magical area which is a magnet for animal and bird life, especially along the fabulous Khwai River floodplains. All major animal species including elephant, lion, leopard and endangered wild dog occur in the region as well as more unusual water-loving animals such as red lechwe antelope and more than 500 types of birds. Self-drive travellers can support the local Khwai Community by staying at the fantastic private camp sites within this stunning location, and being contiguous with Moremi, self-drive safari drives can be done in within both the Khwai Community Concession or the Moremi Game Reserve.

During your stay at Khwai a recommended activity is a morning guided mokoro trip along one of the tributaries of the Khwai River. This is a relaxing way to enjoy your surroundings and view wildlife from a different perspective. A mokoro trip can be pre-booked, recommended during peak season (July - October) or arranged on arrival at the camp.

Stay at:
Mbudi Community Campsite / Magotho Community Campsite or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 110kms, dirt roads - possible soft sand.

Enjoy your drive to Savuti - either taking the Sand Ridge Road or Marsh Road. At the heart of Savuti is a relic marsh that is watched over by seven low lying hills and the ancient Savuti channel only flows in periods of extreme rainfall. This is an exclusive, remote wildlife destination which was made famous by the Joubert's documentary ‘Eternal Enemies’ highlighting the dramatic struggle between lion and hyena in the area. Spend your self-drive safari drives meandering along the Savuti Channel or try your luck in the stunning Savuti Marsh looking for predators and enjoying the large concentrations of wildlife attracted by the semi-permanent Savuti water sources.

Stay at:
Savuti Campsite or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 130kms, dirt roads - possible soft sand.

From Savuti head north through the Chobe Forest Reserve to the Chobe Riverfront. The Chobe River is a world renowned wildlife viewing area where a drive along the Chobe River floodplain may bring you face to face with large herds of elephant and buffalo or reward you with sightings of puku and lechwe antelope. The elephant population of Chobe is immense, with estimates of over 100,000 of these gentle pachyderms congregating during the dry season – an amazing experience! Your campsite for the next two nights is unfenced but is located overlooking the river right in the heart of the park itself.

Stay at:
Ihaha Campsite or similar

Travel distance: Approximately 50kms, dirt roads along the Chobe River.

This morning take a long slow game drive along the Chobe Riverfront to the town of Kasane which is next door to the park. After settling in to your accommodation spend the early afternoon relaxing and enjoying the lodges facilities - your first for 8 nights!

In the late afternoon a wonderful sunset cruise on the Chobe River is included so that you can experience Chobe from a different perspective. Cruise amongst the grunting hippo or watch the elephants wade through the reed beds and then to end a magical trip enjoy an incredible African sunset.

Stay at:
The Old House or similar

This morning return your vehicle to Kasane Airport.

From Kasane the perfect add-on is a visit to Victoria Falls only 90 kilometres to the east. Mosi-oa-Tunya (the 'Smoke that Thunders') is an amazing natural spectacle that straddles the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Be in awe of the power of the mighty Zambezi River as it cascades over 100 metres down into the Batoka Gorge.

Victoria Falls Add-On options:
Travel Africa can assist you with a number of fantastic options to enjoy Victoria Falls:

A 3 night package stay - Victoria Falls Magic.
For those craving more wildlife and a little touch of luxury to end your trip, why not combine a trip to the Falls with a visit to Hwange National Park - Victoria Falls & Hwange.
Extend your self-drive into Zimbabwe and combine Victoria Falls with Hwange National Park and possibly Matobo National Park - Contact us for details.
A full or half day trip from Kasane to visit either the Zimbabwean or Zambian side of the Falls - Contact us for details.

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