Botswana Self-Drive Camping Itineraries

Why Choose a Botswana Camping Self-Drive?

Camping in Botswana allows you to experience the country's wilderness in a particularly immersive way. With your own fully equipped 4WD and rooftop tent, you travel between wildlife areas and stay in remote, designated campsites where you may be surrounded by nothing but bush and wildlife.

We've completed numerous self-drive journeys through Botswana ourselves, so we understand the practical realities of travelling its remote roads and tracks. We use that firsthand experience to help you plan realistic driving distances, choose suitable routes and make the most of your time in each wildlife area.

Camping in Botswana: Remote, But Not Wild Camping

Our camping itineraries use designated campsites. We do not promote or arrange wild camping outside permitted areas.

Some campsites are remote and unfenced, so wildlife can move through the surrounding area. This is an exciting part of the experience, but it also means that knowing how to behave around wildlife and how to stay safe at camp is essential.

We provide detailed information sheets covering the safety considerations you'll need to know before and during your trip, so you can prepare properly and understand what to expect.

Camping, Accommodation or a Mix of Both?

A camping self-drive doesn't have to mean camping every night.

You can camp throughout your journey, or combine remote camping with lodges, guesthouses or safari camps. Some travellers enjoy several nights under canvas followed by a comfortable lodge stay, while others prefer accommodation for most of their trip with a few camping experiences along the way.

We can mix and match the options to create the right balance for you.

If you'd prefer to stay mainly in lodges and guesthouses, explore our Botswana Self-Drive – Accommodated itineraries.

Self-Drive with the Support of a Specialist

Although you're driving yourself, you don't have to organise everything yourself.

We'll help you choose a suitable vehicle and route, plan realistic driving distances and select campsites and accommodation that fit your journey. We can also incorporate safari activities and other experiences that matter to you.

Our TravelKey offline app keeps your itinerary and important travel information accessible while you're travelling, while our trusted local partners and 24/7 in-country emergency support provide additional reassurance when you're exploring remote parts of Botswana.

You can also read our broader Self-Drive Safaris guide for more information about driving yourself through Southern Africa.

Ready for a Botswana Self-Drive Adventure?

Tell us how you'd like to experience Botswana, how much time you have and whether you'd like to camp throughout your trip or combine camping with comfortable accommodation.

We'll help you create a Botswana self-drive safari that's practical, adventurous and tailored to you.

Let's Plan Your Botswana Self-Drive Safari →