This in-depth journey follows the same regions as our Classic Botswana route, with several additional highlights along the way. Beginning in Livingstone, you’ll have time to experience the mighty Zambezi and visit Victoria Falls before crossing into Botswana. The route takes in Nxai Pan, the vast and remote Central Kalahari, Moremi, Savuti, and Chobe National Park. Best enjoyed between May and October, the itinerary includes 10 nights in lodges and 9 nights in campsites, offering a well-balanced blend of comfort and adventure.
Arrive in Livingstone and you will be transferred to Waterberry Lodge where you will spend your first two nights in Africa. This is a beautiful spot on the banks of the Zambezi river. There's time while staying here to visit the spectacular Victoria Falls.
Today you will cross the Kazungula border into Botswana and continue to the small and privately run Kubu Lodge in Kasane. Here you will meet a member of our team for your vehicle and route briefing.
Your route takes you south today towards the Makgadikadi Game reserve and Nxai Pan. Here you use Nata Lodge to break the journey. Perhaps making time to visit the bird sanctuary nearby.
Heading west into Central Botswana you reach Nxai Pan. This is a flat, grass-covered pan dotted with islands of clustered umbrella acacia that shares a common boundary with Makgadikgadi.
Today you drive across Nxai Pan to the impressive Baines Baobab Campsite. This campsite is set atop a rise, amongst seven huge Baobab trees, overlooking the vast salt flats of Kudiakam Pan. The campsites are well spread out so you feel perfectly alone under the African night sky. A magical place.
Leaving Nxai Pan you start to head south and will come to Boteti River Camp. The camp overlooks the riverbed and is close to the Makgadikgadi National Park. Here you can explore one of the world’s largest salt pans and observe Botswana’s unique rural culture.
This morning you enter the Central Kalahari. This is a stunning landscape and very different to the northern parks of Botswana, expect to see very different wildlife here too.
Today you venture further into the Central Kalahari. The campsites here are all dotted around a very picturesque pan with a clump of acacia trees in the middle. The sunset is well worth watching from the pan and you might even spot a cute bat-eared fox!
Continuing west to Motopi Pan, this is a less visited site but well worth a visit. These three campsites are wonderfully isolated from the rest of the reserve.
Today you leave the Central Kalahari and head north to Maun where you will stay for the night at this luxury boutique hotel. While in Maun you can re-stock food supplies and re-fuel.
Set in trees and across a bridge, this pretty campsite is regularly visited by all types of game including lions that cross the bridge and can come right in to the camp.
Today you start heading north to Moremi. This is a very different environment with far more water, wildlife and greenery. Xakanaxa Campsite is set in a quite corner of the park with Bushbuck being a regular visitor.
Today you drive to Sango Camp, this is a simple yet beautiful little tented camp on the Khwai River. The guides are excellent and the atmosphere and food are wonderful too.
This morning you will drive into Chobe National Park to Savuti Campsite which is located next to the Savuti Park Rangers Post. Savuti is situated deep in the Chobe National Park in an area known for its rock paintings, its large hyena and lion populations and for the old bull elephants that stay near the waterholes.
Today you make your way to Ihaha Campsite on the banks of the Chobe River - one of the most game rich areas of southern Africa. You'll camp at one of the well spaced sites in this idyllic location.
After packing up camp for the last time, you head back to Kasane to stay in this small, friendly lodge located on the banks of the Chobe River for your final night in Botswana.
Over the years we have researched and refined the list of vehicle equipment that we provide. The equipment is identical in every vehicle but we always ensure you have the essentials for each country and its respective driving conditions.
All our itineraries are tailor made, but here are some of our favourite routes and camp combinations.
Simply, because we care. Our expert team - both in the UK and Africa - work collectively to make sure you have a fantastic holiday. Importantly, we don't outsource any part of our service so we can ensure the correct level of quality and service is delivered.
Find out more
Your entire holiday is designed around your requirements. We will create the perfect trip, at your own pace, to your budget.
All our team in Africa live in-country and have travelled extensively. Their knowledge and input is key to a successful self-drive safari.
We don’t mark up for our services, we only take commissions from the suppliers we use. Tailor-made does not have to mean expensive.
All our holidays are 100% financially protected.
