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12 Day Botswana Self-drive SUV Safari | Makgadikgadi, Caprivi, Chobe & Vic Falls
12 Day Botswana Self-drive SUV Safari | Makgadikgadi, Caprivi, Chobe & Vic Falls
Your Botswana self-drive safari tour follows a great route through magnificent and truly diverse landscapes. Enjoy the freedom of the road as you visit the Makgadikgadi Pans en-route to the lush Okavango Delta and Caprivi Strip. You will also enjoy the magic of Chobe National Park and see the magnificent Victoria Falls on day trip into Zimbabwe. All are within easy reach by 2x4 SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle).
With generally good roads, there is no need for a 4x4 vehicle. The distances on each day vary but each moment will be filled with sights of Africa not experienced on regular safaris. If you want to avoid the long drive from Johannesburg to Botswana this trip can be customised to start and end in Maun or start in Maun and end in Kasane (with car rental).
Highlights
- Affordable Way To See Botswana Without Compromising On Modern Comforts
- Good Roads And Well Sign Posted
- Sense Of Remoteness As You Travel Through Ever Changing Landscapes
- Guided 4x4 Salt Pan Drive To The Makgadikgadi Pans Drive
- Guided Game Drive Into Chobe National Park
- Sunset Boat Cruise On Thamalakane River And Chobe River
- Victoria Falls Day Trip
- Ideal If You Like Long Drives
- Customisable To Suit Your Needs
Route & Itinerary
12 Days / 11 Nights
1
Day 1: Long drive from Johannesburg to Francistown
SADC rates are available on request Included: 2 nights’ hotel accommodation in Francistown on a bed and breakfast basis 2 nights’ accommodation at Nata Lodge in a thatched chalet on a half board basis 2 nights’ riverfront accommodation at ThamalakaToday you will have to get up early to leave Johannesburg, as it is a long drive to your next stop, Francistown in Botswana.
Once you have crossed the border you can enjoy the rural sights of villages and the Southern Botswana landscape, before reaching Francistown where you will stay overnight in a hotel.
Distance approx. 680km - driving time approx. 6-7 hours
2
Day 2:Francistown to The Makgadikgadi Pans
Ariel view of Nata Lodge in the Makgadikgadi.After breakfast, you leave Francistown for a short drive to Nata situated at the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans where you stay for 2 nights.
The Makgadikgadi Pans are the largest saltpans in the world and a fascinating range of desert-adapted creatures can be seen. (Breakfast and dinner included)
Distance approx. 200km - driving time approx. 3 hours
3
Day 3 : Explore the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
Stop at a lodge viewing deck en-route to the Makadikgadi Salt Pans.Today you have the entire day to explore the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and Nata Sanctuary. A included guided tour in open safari vehicle into the Nata Sanctuary promises to be a highlight.
The Nata River feeds into the Sua Pan which makes the area sanctuary for birds. Be sure to keep your camera handy as a multitude of birds from pelicans to flamingos in their thousands turn the African sky into a pink haze.
If you are a bit more adventurous, we recommend a quad bike adventure through the Salt Pans with an experienced guide. Drive through the white clay with miles and miles of still and endless space as you encounter fossil beaches, granite boulders, and baobab trees.
Guided adventures will teach you more about the history and the culture of this region. After a day filled of adventures return to Nata Lodge where you can enjoy dinner at the restaurant. (Breakfast and dinner included)
4
Day 4 & 5 :Relax or Explore the Delta
Thamalakane River boat cruise. This morning, you may want to explore more of the Makgadikgadi Pans before driving on to Maun, where you stay for 2 nights. Your accommodation is situated a few kilometres outside of Maun along the Thamalakane River. After settling in on your first night enjoy an included sunset boat cruise - drink in hand watch the sky change shades of yellow, orange, red and lilac.
The setting is serene and is perfect you to relax for a day. Alternatively there are a number of optional activities you can take part in. Opt for an optional full day excursion to explore the Moremi Game Reserve by mokoro (canoeing) or by game drive with qualified guide. (Breakfast included)
Distance approx. 350km - driving time approx. 4-5 hours
5
Day 6:Drive North to Caprivi
River views from the breakfast deck at Divava Okavango Lodge.After an early breakfast travel up the western side of the Okavango Delta into Namibia. The Caprivi Strip of Namibia is one of the most beautiful stretches of wilderness in Southern Africa and is relatively undeveloped. Your accommodation is perched high on a river bank, giving you incredible views of the Okavango River. (Breakfast and dinner included) Distance approx. 450km - driving time approx. 6-7 hours.
6
Day 7: Discover the Caprivi strip
Bwabwata National Park road sign.Today you will experience this area on your own or on optional activities. Discover the Okavango River and its surroundings on a boat safari where you will see hippos, crocodiles and big variety of birdlife. The Caprivi Strip is renowned as one of the best birding areas in Africa and is home to over 400 bird species.
The off the beaten track Mahango National Game park within the Bwabwata National Park is a mere 10 min drive from your Caprivi accommodation. Although the remote area is not very developed the Mahango National Game Park is easily accessible by 2x4 SUV. You can expect to see elephants, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, antelopes and monkeys.
If you prefer optional guided game drives are available. Fall asleep to the sounds of the Popa Falls waterfalls that are only a few hundred meters from your accommodation in Caprivi. (Breakfast and dinner included)
7
Day 8:Travel to Kasane/Chobe
Spotting a lion during a game drive in the Chobe National Park.Today you will leave Namibia and travel along the “Caprivi Strip” and via the Ngoma Bridge across the Chobe River back into Botswana. You will immediately enter the Chobe National Park with a chance of seeing a spectacular variety of game including some of the world's largest herds of Elephant, which will add to a day of excitement. You spend the next 2 nights at a safari lodge located on the border of the Chobe National Park and a mere 150m from the Chobe Riverfront. (Breakfast and dinner included)
Distance approx. 450km - driving time approx. 5-6 hours
8
Day 9:Explore the Chobe National Park
Sunset boast cruise on Chobe River.Chobe National Park is home to an abundance of wildlife and is easily accessible with your own vehicle. One guided game drive and one river cruise on the Chobe River, as well as a full day Victoria Falls day trip are included in this botswana safari package.This allows you to relax a bit and be a passenger for a few days. The Chobe National Park is home to over 40 000 elephants and watching them wallow in the Chobe River will surely become a highlight of your botswana safari. In the afternoon a river cruise will allow you to see hippos, crocodiles and more elephants (amongst others), as they come down to the river for their evening drink. (Breakfast and dinner included)
9
Day 10: Victoria Falls day trip
Victoria Falls day trip.This morning you leave Kasane and head to Victoria Falls on a day excursion. During your time in Victoria Falls, there will be the opportunity to view this natural wonder, or take part in a number of adventure activities. Victoria Falls is known as "The Adventure Capital of Africa" and there are many highlights to choose from. You will return to your safari lodge in Chobe to overnight. (Breakfast and dinner included)
10
Day 11 & 12: Long drive back to Johannesburg via Francistown
Road in Botswana from Francistown. After a few days of being a passenger it is time to get behind the steering wheel and start making your way back to Johannesburg. A long drive awaits with a stopover in Francistown. After a good night’s rest leave Francistown and cross the border back into South Africa. (Breakfast included)
Distance approx. 500km - driving time approx. 6-7 hours to Francistown
Distance approx. 680km - driving time approx. 6-7 hours to Johannesburg
Included
- 2 Nights’ Hotel Accommodation In Francistown On A Bed And Breakfast Basis
- 2 Nights’ Accommodation At Nata Lodge In A Thatched Chalet On A Half Board Basis
- 2 Nights’ Riverfront Accommodation At Thamalakane River Lodge On A Bed And Breakfast Basis
- 2 Nights’ Riverfront Accommodation At Divava Okavango Lodge & Spa In The Caprivi On A Half Board Basis
- 3 Nights’ Lodge Accommodation At Chobe Bush Lodge On A Half Board Basis
- Sunset Boat Cruise On Thamalakane River And Chobe River
- Guided Salt Pan Drive Via The Nata Bird Sanctuary (3 Hours)
- Guided Game Drive In Chobe National Park (3 Hours)
- Victoria Falls Day Trip
Excluded
- Park and conservation fees except during guided activities
- Vehicle hire, possible toll and border crossing fees
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Optional activities, spa treatments and all other extras to be settled direct
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Our Travelers Say
We travelled with Falcon Safaris in Zimbabwe and Botswana for 16 days. Falcon designed a wonderful trip with private guide to the most interesting sites in both countries. The organization of the whole trip was excellent, flights within the country, accommodation and activites. The guides were very knowledgable and told us a lot about the countries, their history, people, economy and much more. We visited the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the Victoria Falls Tour and a number of national parks in both countries.
Rhino tracking was a real adventure! We had tremendous further game drives and saw very many animals - we did the Big Five. We had much more Victoria Falls Activities than planned and enjoyed very much.We strongly recommend Falcon Safaris to everyone planning a trip to Southern Africa and East Africa.
Wonderful trip to Zimbabwe and Botswana with excellent organization and very competent guides
Our Consultant Vimbai was very helpful and accommodating. We stayed at the Elephant hills hotel which was nothing short of amazing.Our activities included a helicopter flight, dinner cruise as well as a morning game drive. All the activities were absolutely amazing.
Exceptional!
We worked with Gertrude to schedule and organize everything and she did an excellent job. I asked a lot of questions via e-mail and she answered everyone in a timely helpful manner. Our guide at Victoria Falls was also great. He met us at the airport, provided a thoughtful tour of the Falls and got us to our next guide in Botswana. Our lodgings at River View Lodge were just as described- very comfortable and excellent food. All the staff were so pleasant and helpful. If I had to do it again I would arrange a morning boat ride as well. We only did the sunset boat rides and they were the high point of our entire trip- we saw so many animals and our guide was very knowledgeable. Just a great experience. Our lodgings at Oddball's Enclave was rustic and we loved it. So great to disconnect from the world for a bit. Leo, our guide, was the best - got us out and about, saw fantastic wildlife and got back to camp safely each time. Doc manages the camp so well. This whole trip was planned and organized by Falcon Safaris and we could not have been happier.
Fabulous, well planned trip
Falcon safaris have given my the correct advice with excellent service. The only suggestion will be to work closer with the lodges to confirm bookings as soon as possible. We have booked and pay our deposit a year in advance. We have only receive our final convermation from Chobe Safari lodge a week before departure. I do realize its not within your controle but with limit alternatives and a group of 14 people it becomes an issue to find alternative accomodation if the booking was cancelled.
Excellent and efficient service
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