Best of Botswana Self-Drive

Individual arrival (flight optional) to Kasane. Welcome at the international airport. Arrival in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) is also possible on request. In this case, additional transfer costs to Kasane airport will apply. Upon arrival in Kasane, your rental car will be ready for pick up. After pick up of the SUV and introduction you will drive the short distance from the airport to today’s accommodation (distance approx. 4 km). On the way you will get to know the vehicle and the left-hand traffic in Botswana. The lodge is located right next to the Chobe National Park, which is part of an interconnected water system of the Chobe, Linyati and Kwando rivers. The numerous islands, alluvial plains and lakes are home to large herds of elephant and buffalo, lion, hippo, crocodile, giraffe and various species of antelope. Nearly 450 species of birds have been sighted here. 2 nights at the Chobe Safari Lodge.

After breakfast, drive south via Savuti to the Moremi Game Reserve (route approx. 270 km, duration approx. 7 hrs.). The game reserves lying on your driving route are not limited by fences, therefore wild animals can cross your path at any time. The Moremi Game Reserve is about 1,800 km2 in size and located in the Okavango Delta and offers Mopane forests and dry savannahs as well as swamps and grasslands. Here is among other things the possibility to observe the African Wild Dog, cheetahs and leopards. In addition, lions, elephants, buffalos, hippos, giraffes, hyenas, zebras, kudus, lechwe black and red grey antelopes are at home in the Moremi Reserve. 3 nights at Mogotlho Safari Lodge.

On extended morning and afternoon safaris (duration approx. 2 – 3 hours) in an open off-road safari vehicle and in the company of an experienced ranger, you will experience the wilderness and the fascination of Africa up close. With luck you will encounter the famous Big Five: rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard and elephant. At sunrise you will especially have the chance to discover the “cats” of Africa. In addition, there is an incredible variety of other impressive and exotic animals as well as fascinating landscapes and great nature.

On extended morning and afternoon safaris (duration approx. 2 – 3 hours) in an open off-road safari vehicle and in the company of an experienced ranger, you will experience the wilderness and the fascination of Africa up close. With luck you will encounter the famous Big Five: rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard and elephant. At sunrise you will especially have the chance to discover the “cats” of Africa. In addition, there is an incredible variety of other impressive and exotic animals as well as fascinating landscapes and great nature.

After another morning safari in the Moremi Game Reserve in an open off-road vehicle, you will start your onward journey to Maun today (route approx. 140 km, duration approx. 3.5 hrs, partly gravel roads). The city on the southern beach of the Okavango Basin is the capital of the North-West District. Maun is also the most important starting point for safaris into the Okavango Delta. Your lodge is located about 15 minutes drive from Maun, directly on the banks of the Thamalakane River with 180° panoramic views of the river. 2 nights at Thamalakane Lodge.

Thamalakane Lodge: Organize the day according to your wishes. You have the possibility to make an excursion into the Okavango Delta. Mokoro trips into the Okavango Delta are offered from Boro Station, which is about 45 minutes drive away. Or you can enjoy the amenities of your accommodation and use the time for bird watching, especially of the numerous water birds. (all optional).

Today you will drive east to Nata (route approx. 300 km, duration approx. 3 hrs, paved roads). Your accommodation offers you an oasis under Mokolwane palm trees and relaxation on the edge of the largest salt pans in the world. The area combines a variety of salt pans and vast grass plains interspersed with palm islands to form the Great Makgadikgadi. For avid bird watchers and nature lovers, the lodge offers the opportunity to participate in a 3 hour open vehicle excursion through the nearby Nata Game Reserve (optional). The game reserve is an excellent breeding ground for a variety of waterfowl. About 165 different bird species, including kingfisher, eagle, ostrich, pelicans spoonbills and flamingo are recorded there. When the Nata River has water, the area is transformed into a birders paradise with visitors from all over Africa. 2 nights at Nata Lodge.

You have the option to book a half-day excursion with ranger and other guests of the lodge to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans (duration approx. 3.5 hrs, start 6 am or 4 pm) (optional, bookable in the excursion package). Discover the largest salt pan in the world, about the size of Belgium. It is the last remnant of Africa’s once mightiest inland sea and spreads a mystical atmosphere. The Makgadikgadi salt pans form a total area of about 12,000 km2 and provide habitat for ostrich, oryx antelope, springbok and steenbok. Baobabs and sterculia trees dominate the landscape, which seems to consist only of white, flat areas and distant, endless palm forests.

From Nata you will drive north to Kasane (distance approx. 400 km, duration approx. 4.5 hours, paved roads). Here you will drop off your rental car. Afterwards you will be transferred across the border into Zimbabwe to the impressive Victoria Falls. Let yourself be inspired by the sight of the mighty waterfall during a short hike at close range (optional, bookable in the excursion package). The water masses of the Zambezi River plunge here on a width of almost 2 km up to 110 m into the depth and form, as the largest waterfall of the African continent, a natural border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The locals call this unique natural spectacle “Mosi OaTunya”, which means “smoke that thunders”. The trail through the adjacent rainforest allows you to encounter various exotic bird species, small monkeys and antelopes. In addition, various optional activities can be added on site, such as helicopter flights or boat trips on the Zambesi River. 2 Overnight stay at Lokuthula Lodge.

This day is free for leisure or activities in the area.

Today it is time to say goodbye to Africa. Timely transfer to Victoria Falls airport for your return flight (flight optional) or your extension program begins.