14 Day Botswana Overland Tour (Inclusive & Small Group)

Day 1: Johannesburg – Kalahari, Botswana

This tour departs at 06h30 from the Johannesburg Lodge and we make our way across the border of Botswana. Various customs and immigration formalities will have to be completed before we set out into the vast Kalahari Plains. A lot of distance will be covered today before reaching our campsite close to the village of Kang. We enjoy a catered dinner (own expense) while the guide elaborates on the itinerary.

Meals: No meals included on this day
Accommodation: Kalahari Rest – Two man dome tent
Included Highlights: Scenic Drive through North West South Africa, Kalahari Desert
Distance: 720 km

Day 2: Kalahari Bushmen, Botswana

We enjoy a scrumptious camp breakfast before continuing to Ghanzi, where we will meet the Kalahari Bushmen and enjoy learning about their ways. Ghanzi is home to the last of the traditional bushmen, so this is a unique experience. We will go on a guided bush walk to learn about the wilderness before resting for the night on a tract of land managed by the locals.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Dqae Qare San Lodge – Two man dome tent
Included Highlights: Guided Bush Walk led by true bushmen/san
Distance: 250 km

Days 3 – 5: Okavango Delta, Botswana

As it flows south and east from the highlands of central Angola far to the northwest, the Okavango River creates an unique ecosystem that supports a wide variety of animal and plant life as it creates one of the world’s only true inland deltas as it slows and spreads. An African Fish Eagle’s cry, the sight of a Jacana strolling amongst the flowering lilies, as well as the variety of insects being eaten by the Bee Eater, all combine to create the canvas of one of nature’s most magnificent paintings. As the waters of the river spill into the vast plains of the Makgadikgadi sands, it eventually disappears.

From our comfortable and well-appointed camp located on the edge of one of the largest lagoons, we will be able to explore the region. Our tour includes gliding along reed-lined channels in a mokoro, walking on uninhabited islands, and picnicking in the wilderness while learning from local guides about the animals and plants of the Delta. In this isolated wilderness, we will be able to learn about the local people and their way of life through informal interaction with the guides. Taking a refreshing dip in the pool or relaxing on a beautiful wooden deck overlooking a glistening lagoon will be among the many things we can do during our stay. A sunset cruise on a boat will provide us with a relaxing experience. To experience the vastness of the Delta from the air, it is recommended that you take a helicopter flight (own expense).

Meals: Breakfast x3, Lunch x3 and Dinner x3
Accommodation: Twin bedded tented units (sleeping bag required)
Included Highlights: Okavango Delta, Motswana Guided Game walks in the Delta, Mokoro Excursion in the Delta
Optional Activities: Scenic Helicopter Flight over Delta
Distance: 390 km on Day 3

Day 6: Okavango Delta – Maun, Botswana

An early start sees us heading back to civilisation. We arrive in Maun in the afternoon where we will get some fresh supplies. Our accommodation this evening is at the Maun Lodge which is located on the Boteti River and has a swimming pool, bar and restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Maun Lodge – Twin-bedded en-suite tented units
Included Highlights: Boteti River Sunset
Distance: 354 km

Days 7-10: Flexible Game Reserve Schedule (Moremi/ Savuti), Botswana

We will prepare ourselves for a game viewing trip using our vehicle to get into the wilderness, passing remote villages along the way. These 5 days will be spent in different game reserves as we follow in the footsteps of the migrating animals.

The tour will be quite flexible, but here is an example of what we will do: Start in Moremi where we will camp near the popular 3rd Bridge and fall asleep to the howling of the hyena or the roaring of a lion (which will most likely wake you up!). Then we will head off to Xakanaxa for a night of camping near North Gate. Plenty of game drives will allow you to explore this area. Then we will head to Savuti for more game drives and close encounters with game. We advise you to keep your fruit well hidden from roaming elephants, and the mean from hungry hyenas. You will find that the vegetation constantly changes and we will go from open plains to marshland and dense mopane and acacia trees. We may also take a turn into the Central Kalahari Reserve or the Makgadikgadi Pans.

Our camps will be in lovely private sites where we make sure we only leave our footsteps behind. A support vehicle will be going ahead of us to set up camp so that you have more time to enjoy your surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast x4, Lunch x4, Dinner x4
Accommodation: Wild Camping – Two man dome tent
Included Highlights: 4×4 open vehicle game drives on all days, Private non-fenced campsites, Extensive first hand game viewing experience, Explore the heart of National Geographic’s photography region
Distance: Day 7: ± 125 km

Day 11: Maun, Botswana

We leave the National Parks and make our way back to our Lodge in Maun on a leisurely game drive. In Maun we can take a walk around town and enjoy an own expense lunch. Prior to heading out to the comfort of the Maun Tented Lodge, guests are welcome to take an optional game flight (at their own expense). At the lodge you can spend the day relaxing by the pool before indulging in a catered meal and a comfortable night’s sleep.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Maun Tented Lodge – Twin-bedded tented units
Included Highlights: Game Drive on the way out of the park, Visit to Maun
Optional Activities: Game flight, fixed wing or helicopter
Distance: ± 225 km

Day 12: Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana

This morning we enjoy lazing by the swimming pool and enjoying a midday brunch. We suggest joining the local village walk where you learn more about the daily life of the locals. Afterward, we set off east to the enormous Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.

The Makgadikgadi Pans has spectacular dry scenery, famous for its abundant birdlife and other desert-adapted animals it attracts. Today we will be aware of our untouched environment and enjoy the serenity of the area. Taking in the isolation and serenity of this expanse, we proceed to our overnight camp. Almost all visitors to the water hole will be able to see elephants up close.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Elephant Sands Lodge – Two man dome tent
Included Highlight: Village Walk, Visit to Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Remote Campsite on the edge of the pans, Night under the stars, Star gazing
Distance: 200 – 300km

Day 13: Chobe – Victoria Falls, Livingstone

Travelling North to Chobe, known for its large population of elephant which gather on the floodplains. This afternoon we will enjoy an extensive boat cruise which enables us to get up close and personal with the hippos and elephants on the waters edge. We then cross the border to spend the night in our accommodation, which is within walking distance of the falls.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Shearwater Village
Included Highlights: Chobe National Park, Extensive Boat Cruise on the Chobe River
Distance: 320 – 400 km

Day 14: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

This morning we will wake up in the adventure capital of Africa, and after a good night’s sleep, we will discover the amazing Victoria Falls, known by the local people as Mosi-oa-Tunya – ‘The smoke that thunders’. After breakfast at the lodge, the tour will officially come to an end. Transfers to the airport can be arranged or guests can extend their stay in Victoria  Falls with post-tour accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.