<trp-post-container data-trp-post-id='3'>Old route

Today you fly to Johannesburg in South Africa, where your journey begins. If you book your flights through us, you'll arrive at the airport in the evening. A transfer will be waiting for you and will take you to a lodge near the airport. You can relax and recover from the long trip.

The next morning, you'll continue your journey towards Botswana.

If you have booked your own flights and arrive in the morning, plan for an extra travel day. On day 2, you'll pick up the car and your road trip will really begin.

Today your road trip really begins! You'll be picked up at the lodge and taken to our rental partner. Here, you'll learn everything about using your 4x4, your mode of transport and sleeping spot for the next few days.

For the first few kilometers, you'll still be in South Africa. You'll drive along green and hilly roads as you make your way towards the border with Botswana. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might spot some wildlife here and there near the private game reserves you pass by.

You'll be driving through the Grootwater Nature Reserve, a beautiful area where wild dogs, leopards, and other animal species can be found.

Tonight, you'll be sleeping in a lodge near the border with Botswana. The lodge has a lovely swimming pool and is located close to the Limpopo River. Tomorrow, it's time to cross over!

Today, you cross the border into Botswana. You do this via the Groblersbrug, a small border crossing mainly used by freight traffic. You drive over a bridge across the Limpopo River and find yourself in Botswana.

You are now offline. Your phone has no signal, but don’t worry: you will receive a detailed route description in advance, and you’ll have wifi again at the campsite.

Tonight, you’ll sleep for the first time in a roof tent. To reach the eco-camping, you’ll activate your 4x4 function for the first time today. The New Zealand owners have created an inviting campsite with minimal impact on nature. All the facilities you need are available, and there’s a volleyball court. In the evening, you can join a local dinner.

Feeling like something active during the day? Then hike the 7km-long Porcupine Loop. The trail climbs through the forest to a viewpoint overlooking Palapye and the Lotsane River. Along the way, you’ll come across interesting stops like old porcupine and hyena dens and indigenous (fruit) trees. You’ll receive a guidebook with explanations about each stop.

In the evening, you can admire the unique co-inhabitants of the campsite: porcupines that come out to eat as soon as it gets dark!

The first stop of today is the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. This area is home to various rhinos, which are very well protected, and the exact number is therefore not known. It's time for your first safari! Within about 1 to 2 hours, you’ll have seen most of the sights and, if you're lucky, you might spot different rhinos, zebras, giraffes, and other animals. There’s also a restaurant available for a cup of coffee or lunch.

Continue your journey towards the Makgadikgadi Pans. The roads are paved and in good condition, allowing you to cover a lot of distance. Along the way, you’ll see the landscape slowly change. On your left is the Kalahari Desert, and on your right, the pans get closer and closer.

Once you arrive at the campsite, you’ll be amazed by the view over the Boteti River, located in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The campsite has a beautiful viewing deck where you can quietly enjoy the various wildlife passing by. Think of: hippos, elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and much more! Watch the sunset and enjoy the stunning view from the deck.

Today, in the morning, you have the chance to drive through the river yourself in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Please note: this is only possible if there isn't too much water. Get up close to the animals, but keep a respectful distance so you don't disturb them too much. You will most likely come face to face with hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and various other species.

After that, a short ride is planned to Maun, also known as the tourist capital of Botswana. The town itself isn't particularly charming, but the campsite has everything you need! There's a spa, a swimming pool, a restaurant, and a beautiful view over the Thamalakane River. You'll stay here for two nights, giving you plenty of time to relax after yesterday's long journey.

Today you have a free day in Maun. Spend it however you like, book a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta, visit the spa or relax by the pool.

You can choose to upgrade your two nights in Maun to the lodge instead of the campsite. You'll be staying in the same location, but in a comfortable double room with breakfast included.

Your adventure in Botswana really begins today. Sure, you've already had some amazing and adventurous days, but in the coming days, you'll be driving through the wilderness on unpaved roads and camping right next to wildlife.

It's important to completely fill up your car today and also fill your extra jerrycan. There are no gas stations where you will be staying afterwards.

Today, you're heading towards Khwai, a unique spot located in the Okavango Delta. To get there, you'll first drive through the Moremi Game Reserve, where you'll spot plenty of wildlife. The campsite is located by a river and a branch of the delta, and you'll be sleeping next to elephants and hippos. From your rooftop tent, you can see the hippos lounging in the water. Don't worry, as long as you're well prepared, the animals will keep their distance.

At the end of the day, a mokoro excursion is included. A guide will take you through the delta in a traditional canoe. Along the way, you'll spot various animals and learn more about this extraordinary environment.

The campsite has a swimming pool and a restaurant with a stunning view over the river.

Today, in the morning, you have the chance to go on a safari in the area around the Okavango Delta, also known as the Khwai Development Trust.

After that, you'll drive to Chobe National Park via the Mababe Gate. Tonight, you'll be sleeping right in the park. There are various loops you can take for a self-drive safari around the campsite. Near the campsite, there's a group of lions, many elephants, and if you're lucky, you might spot a leopard.

The campsite itself has limited facilities. There's a braai stand for cooking, and there are toilets, showers, and a small shop available. You'll be sleeping right in the park, surrounded by wild animals, which is a unique experience.

Today you'll drive to the other entrance of the Chobe National Park. The road will become paved again after a few days of adventure in the wilderness. Along the way, you'll encounter large baobab trees and hopefully a variety of wildlife.

Today's campsite is located by a huge meadow with a view of Namibia. The meadow is primarily home to cows, but you can also spot plenty of birds in the area. Go on a self-drive safari nearby or enjoy a drink by the pool. The campsite has a small shop, and there's a gas station in the area, which you'll definitely need after a few days in the wild!

Today you'll be heading towards Kasane, a small town that's a popular spot for tourists. Kasane is located by the Chobe River, home to various wildlife species. A sunset cruise on this river is definitely a must-do during your visit to Botswana! This is included in the trip.

You’ll sail in a small boat along the Chobe River as the sun slowly sets. From the water, you'll spot elephants coming to the shore to drink, hippos peeking out of the water, and crocodiles lounging on the banks. The golden light of the setting sun paints the river orange as you glide past the animals.

The campsite for the next two nights is in a special location, close to a waterhole where many animals come to drink. Elephants in particular love to gather at the waterhole, and you can watch this spectacle from the restaurant at the campsite. There's also a swimming pool where you can relax.

Today you have the chance to visit the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. You’ll be over the border in just 20 minutes. You’ll drive right through the Zambezi National Park towards the town of Victoria Falls.

The Victoria Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. A massive volume of water plunges down 108 meters over a width of nearly 1.7 kilometers, creating a constant mist of spray that can be seen for miles. The water falls from Zambia and lands in Zimbabwe.

You’ll walk through the Victoria Falls National Park along various that offer different perspectives of the waterfall. Some spots get you so close that the mist completely soaks you. You can feel the power of the water vibrating through the ground as you walk along the paths at the edge of the gorge. The is deafening and incredible to hear.

During the excursion, you’ll visit the falls and a restaurant located on a stunning gorge near the park.

Prefer to stay in Botswana? Then you have time today to explore Kasane again, relax by the pool, or spot wildlife at the watering hole on the campsite.

The next stop is Elephant Sands, a beautiful campsite and lodge located in the middle of nature. Here, the elephants are in charge. Right in front of the lodge, there's a natural waterhole where you can spot elephants coming to drink. This area is home to over 95,000 elephants, both resident and migratory, which means you'll often get to see these magnificent animals up close.

The 16,000-hectare property is unfenced, allowing all the animals to roam freely. With a bit of luck, you might also spot buffalo, lions, giraffes, wild dogs, hyenas, steenbok, leopards, kudu, and much more.

Enjoy the view of the animals from the pool, the lounge, or the restaurant. You can also upgrade for a night to a chalet with breakfast included.

Today, you’ll drive just an hour to the next destination: Nata. Earlier in the trip, you stayed at the Makgadikgadi Pans, and now you’re on the other side of the national park. Here, you’ll find the Nata Bird Sanctuary, a vast area of dried salt lakes that once formed a gigantic inland sea. When there's water, the sanctuary transforms into a bird paradise. Thousands of flamingos gather here to forage in the shallow water, casting a pink glow over the landscape.

You’ll drive along dusty roads through the white, crackling salt landscape that stretches endlessly. The contrast between the bright white of the salt pans and the blue sky is stunning. Besides flamingos, you’ll also spot pelicans, cranes, and dozens of other bird species that come here to feed and breed. We definitely recommend booking a birding excursion while you’re here.

If you don’t? Then enjoy the facilities at the campsite, like the swimming pool or the restaurant. You can also upgrade to a chalet for more comfort.

Today, you're driving back to South Africa after an amazing journey through Botswana. Unfortunately, today is quite a long driving day, but this means you've been able to take it easier earlier in the trip. The roads are paved, and you'll cross the border back into South Africa via the same bridge. Here, you'll spend your last night in a lodge with a pool, where you can relax after the drive.

Today, you're driving back to the airport, the last few kilometers of your road trip. We hope you look back on a wonderful journey through Botswana and a bit through South Africa. Did you book your flights with us? Then you'll be traveling back to Amsterdam in the evening. You need to return the car by 4:00 PM at the latest.