Explore South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe in vehicles especially designed to access the off-the-beaten track highlights that this 16 day tour has to offer. Visit the awe-inspiring Makgadikgadi Pans, sleep on the banks of the Boteti River, go on game drives in a variety of reserves (including the world-famous Okavango Delta), visit Victoria Falls (where you can enjoy adventure activities such as bungee jumping and white water rafting), and journey overland seeing a variety of flora and fauna on this amazing overland tour!
Your Itinerary:
- South Africa & Namibia
Days 1-6: Journey overland through South Africa to Botswana, visit the Makgadikgadi Pans, sleep in tents on the banks of the Boteti River, visit the town Maun, and go on game drives in the world famous Okavango Delta to marvel at the amazing wildlife
Day 1: Departing from Johannesburg in the early morning, you will head directly to the Botswana border. On completion of the customs and immigration formalities, you will then continue to Nata Lodge – an oasis-like camp on the edge of the impressive Sowa saltpan. Here you will camp the night and familiarize yourself with the procedures of the tour over a catered meal (at own expense).
Day 2: The next day you get to have a leisurely breakfast before transferring to the 4x4 vehicle for your first excursion. Returning to Nata Lodge for a welcome swim and bite to eat will then give you time to relax for a few hours during the heat of the day. In the afternoon you will break camp and pack up, then head down the Maun road and out to the Makgadikgadi Pans to view the spectacular depressions, known for the prolific birdlife and desert animals they attract. Here you can explore the area looking out for springbok, gemsbok and a variety of other unique species that live in the area. In the evening you will set up the tents and camp wild, getting the opportunity to appreciate the isolation and serenity of the star-studded nights in the Southern African bush.
Day 3: This morning you will have a leisurely start before leaving the pans and driving to the Drifters Maun camp. The camp is situated on the banks of the Boteti River, near Maun, and offers you the opportunity to cleanse yourself of the Makgadikgadi dust under a warm shower. In the afternoon you will conduct a walk to a local village for an insight into how the local inhabitants cope in these harsh conditions. In the evening you can enjoy a traditional “braai” (African version of a barbecue) before camping the night.
Days 4-7: The massive Okavango River spills its contents into the Kalahari sands to create one of the world’s only true inland deltas, which supports a unique ecosystem teeming with a huge variety of animal and plant life. Here, in one of nature’s masterpieces, you can catch a glimpse of a nervous Lechwe pounding across a flooded plain, a Jacana striding delicately amongst the flowering lilies, a Bee Eater diving to prey on an unsuspecting insect and hear the cry of the African Fish Eagle. You will travel by light aircraft or on sandy tracks into the heart of the delta then continue by mekoro (the traditional aquatic mode of transport) to the remote camp. Here you will spend three nights in the wilderness, exploring the area on foot and by mekoro, getting time to appreciate the remoteness and serenity of the wilderness.
You will have the opportunity to go on a game flight (at own expense) over the delta on either day four or seven to see the beautiful delta from above. Late on day seven you will return to the Drifters MAUN camp to freshen up before enjoying a catered meal, relaxing, chatting over a drink about the first week’s adventures and looking forward to what the next week has install for you!
- Botswana & Zimbabwe
Days 7-14: Spend five days in different reserves seeing a variety of African wildlife, cross the border into Zimbabwe, visit the world famous Victoria Falls, enjoy adventure activities such as bungee jumping or white water rafting, take a leisurely walk around the town, and stay in the Drifters lodge
Days 8–12: You head back into Maun first thing in the morning so the group and guide can stock up with supplies for the onward journey and prepare for the game viewing part of the trip. Perched high on the well-equipped vehicle you will head north into the wilderness, passing remote villages along the way. You will spend five days in these reserves, starting with Moremi, and camping the first night near the well-known 3rd Bridge. Here you can drift off to sleep to the howl of the hyena, the earthy roar of a lion or even the deep grunt of a half-submerged hippo.
You then head north via Xakanaxa to camp near North Gate – an area which is excellent for game viewing and where you will conduct afternoon and morning drives along the wetland areas. Your journey then moves up into Savuti, to an area that offers a multitude of game drive options and contains a very active campsite where you will stay (keeping any fruit well hidden from roving elephants and any meat hidden from prowling hyenas!). The game drives will take you through a variety of vegetation, from open plains to palm trees, marshland to dense Mopane woodlands and Acacia scrub. Moving into Chobe, you enter an area that is famous for the large herds of elephant which gather on the flood plains. Here you will spend the morning exploring the banks of the majestic Chobe River and hopefully get to see the puku (a type of antelope), which is found exclusively on the Chobe flats. You will then cross the border to spend the night in comfort at the Drifters Victoria Falls Inn.
Days 13–14: Awaking in the adventure capital of Africa, it is with great excitement that you get to explore the amazing Victoria Falls, also known as ‘Mosi o Tunya’ or ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. After admiring this spectacular wonder of the world you can visit the various other places that the area boasts, which includes the tribal village, the big tree, the curio market and the crocodile farm. You can also enjoy the variety of activities the area has to offer, which include taking an aircraft flip over the falls, going white water rafting, taking a boat trip on the Zambezi River, bungee jumping or taking an elephant back safari (but allowance must be made for the extra expense these activities involve).
You will spend three nights at the Drifters Victoria Falls Inn, giving everyone the opportunity to explore the area by themselves, either on foot or bicycle. For two of the nights you can eat out in local restaurants (at own expense), relaxing to the sounds of the African night and the distant roar of the falls, whilst drinking farewell toasts to your adventure.
- Zimbabwe, Botswana & South Africa
Days 15-16: Overland back to Botswana, sleep under canvas, make our way home to South Africa.
Day 15: Today the overland return journey will begin, heading back to Botswana and completing the triangle back to Nata. Here you will camp for the last time, getting to share your experiences with the next tour just arriving and having time to celebrate all the experiences you have had over dinner (at own expense).
Day 16: Your final day will be spent heading through South Africa and back to Johannesburg for the early evening. Here ends your Botswana overland tour, where you can bid farewell to your new friends and the amazing adventures you shared together.
- Meals Included
* Day 1 None
* Days 2-3 Breakfast, lunch and dinner
* Days 4-12 Breakfast, lunch and dinner
* Days 13-15 Breakfast and lunch
* Day 16 None
- Optional Activities (at own expense)
* Elephant back safari
* White water rafting
* Bungee jumping
* Game flight
- Important Information
* This trip requires a valid passport and for certain nationalities, a visa for Zimbabwe and Botswana.
* Seasonal malaria precautions are necessary and are locally obtainable.
* A barrel bag or internal frame backpack is best suited for this trip (suitcases do not fit into the space provided). Taking an extra tog bag or camera bag is advisable.
* Spending money will be required for the restaurant meals, drinks, visas, tips, curios, (Zimbabwe airport tax US30-00 if applicable - subject to change), airport transfer for flying clients only, and any other optional excursions you may wish to go on.
* All trips are accompanied by two professional guides for optimum efficiency and catering for a maximum of 14 people per vehicle.
* Remember: help us to help you by actively participating, keeping an open mind and remaining flexible in all situations.
* Our price does not include restaurant meals where stipulated, visas, tips, curios, optional excursions, alcohol and soft drinks, airport tax, airport transfers and airfares.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Costs £1180 / $2377 (US) / €1545
Price Includes:
* Pre-departure support
* 24 hour emergency phone line in the UK
* Most meals (see full itinerary)
* All accommodation
* Transport
* Experienced, qualified professional guides
* No hidden expenses, unlike other companies!
* Group equipment
* Permits and park entry fees
* Open vehicle game drives
* A tour with Southern Africa’s most renowned overlanding company!
* Wild remote camping
* Salt pans
* Victoria Falls National Park
* Game walks
* Private camp in the heart of the Okavango Delta
* Moremi National Park
* Chobe National Park
* Chobe River
* Savuti
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Botswana
South Africa
Zimbabwe
Wildlife Viewing
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
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