Botswana Explorer

Welcome to the start of your 15-day African adventure.

You may choose to fly into either Livingstone or Victoria Falls airport and arrange a transfer to the lodge (at your own expense), where you'll meet the rest of your group.

Our homely base for the next three nights is perfectly positioned on the banks of the Zambezi River. While many visitors choose to stay in Victoria Falls Town, Livingstone offers a more authentic and relaxed gateway to the region, often allowing travellers to enjoy the area's highlights away from the crowds. From here, you'll still have easy access to Victoria Falls, sunset river cruises, adrenaline-filled adventure activities, as well as wildlife safaris, all while enjoying the laid-back charm of Zambia's tourism capital. With excellent value for food and beverages, a welcoming local atmosphere, and the river quite literally on your doorstep, the lodge is the ideal base from which to explore one of Africa's most iconic destinations.

This evening, settle in at the lodge and get to know your fellow adventurers. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the lodge restaurant as the sounds of the mighty Victoria Falls echo through the night, setting the scene for the incredible journey ahead.

Overnight at The Victoria Falls Waterfront Lodge or similar – Dinner

The day begins with breakfast at the lodge before heading out for an immersive wildlife experience in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Enjoy game viewing, followed by a memorable guided rhino-walking safari offering an opportunity to track these endangered animals on foot. After a picnic lunch, enjoy leisure time at the lodge. The afternoon transitions into a relaxing sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, where drinks (own expense) and spectacular scenery round off the day. Dinner is enjoyed at the lodge restaurant or at a hotel nearby (own expense).

Overnight at The Victoria Falls Waterfront Lodge or similar – Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, the morning is dedicated to a guided experience exploring the natural wonder that is Victoria Falls, called ‘Mosi-Oa-Tunya’ by the locals (meaning ‘the smoke that thunders’) on the Zambian side. We have ample free time to take in the falls at our own pace or cross between Zambia and Zimbabwe (multiple-entry visa required) for different perspectives. For those seeking adventure, a range of optional own expense adrenaline activities can be arranged independently in either country.

You have time at leisure to explore Victoria Falls town, including its tribal village and curio market. Your Victoria Falls experience is entirely yours for the making. Tonight, you will be transferred to and from a local restaurant in Livingstone for an own expense dinner.

Overnight at The Victoria Falls Waterfront Lodge or similar – Breakfast

After breakfast at the lodge, enjoy a relaxed morning soaking up the atmosphere of Livingstone before setting off on a scenic transfer with a local Zambian guide. As the journey unfolds, keep your eyes open and your curiosity alive—today's adventure takes you across one of Africa's most fascinating border regions.

Cross into Botswana via the impressive Kazungula Bridge, a 923-metre-long road and rail bridge spanning the mighty Zambezi River between Zambia and Botswana. The bridge passes through the renowned Kazungula Quadripoint, widely considered the only place in the world where four countries—Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe—nearly meet at a single point. Celebrated as the “Four Corners of Africa,” this unique geographical location comes with an intriguing twist: while the four nations come remarkably close together, their borders do not technically converge at a single point, making it one of the continent’s most fascinating geographical curiosities.

Arrive at the lodge in Kasane, where the Chobe River and surrounding wilderness set the scene for the adventures ahead. As evening falls, relax and reflect on the day's discoveries before enjoying a delicious dinner at the lodge restaurant.

Overnight at Thebe River Safaris Lodge or similar– Breakfast and Dinner

Rise early for breakfast before setting out on a memorable boat safari along the Chobe River. Home to more than 50,000 elephants, Chobe National Park offers one of Africa's most remarkable wildlife spectacles. Experiencing the park from the water provides a completely different perspective—elephants wading among water lilies, hippos surfacing alongside the boat, and crocodiles basking on the riverbanks before slipping silently beneath the surface. The close-up encounters and ever-changing river scenery make for an immersive and unforgettable safari experience.

After the cruise, continue south towards Nata, the gateway to the vast Makgadikgadi region. This small settlement is best known for its proximity to the legendary Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the largest salt flats on Earth, where endless horizons and shimmering landscapes create an almost otherworldly atmosphere. Along the way, your guides will prepare a delicious lunch before the journey continues through Botswana's wild and open landscapes.

Arrive at Elephant Sands Lodge in the late afternoon, where elephants are often seen wandering freely through the camp. Enjoy dinner at the lodge and settle in for a unique night in the heart of the African bush.

Overnight at Elephant Sands Lodge or similar – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake to one of Africa's most memorable breakfast settings, where elephants often gather at the waterhole just metres from the lodge. Enjoy your morning coffee while watching these gentle giants begin their day—bathing, drinking, and socialising in a scene that perfectly captures the magic of Botswana's wilderness.

After several action-packed days, the morning unfolds at a more relaxed pace as we journey west towards Maun. En route, we visit the extraordinary Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, one of the largest salt flats on Earth. This vast, surreal landscape stretches to the horizon in every direction, creating an almost dreamlike setting of shimmering mirages, endless white expanses, and skies that seem impossibly large. Depending on the season, the pans transform dramatically from a stark lunar landscape into grass-covered plains teeming with life after the rains.

The journey continues with a guided walk through Chanoga Village near Maun, an authentic rural community rarely visited by tourists. Accompanied by a resident, gain a genuine insight into daily life in Botswana, where traditions remain strong, and community, family, and the land shape life's rhythms. This is a rare opportunity to experience a side of Africa that few travellers encounter.

Arriving at Drifters Maun Lodge—our peaceful home next to the Boteti River—enjoy a light lunch before spending the afternoon at leisure. Unwind beside the pool, take a stroll along the riverbank, or simply soak up the tranquil atmosphere. The Boteti River’s water levels and flow are largely dependent on rainfall in northern Botswana and Angola. When water flows strongly, it transforms the surrounding landscape into a haven for select wildlife. With water drawing animals to the river's edge, sightings of hippos, other wildlife, and an abundance of birdlife are often possible right from the lodge grounds, bringing the magic of Botswana's wilderness quite literally to your doorstep. As the sun sets, gather for dinner at the lodge and share stories from another remarkable day on the road. An evening filled with excitement and anticipation for the wilderness experiences that await in one of Africa's most extraordinary safari regions.

Overnight at Drifters Maun Lodge or similar – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Okavango River, emanating from the highlands of central Angola far to the northwest, flows south- and eastwards, before slowing and spreading into one of the world’s only true inland deltas, creating as it does so a unique ecosystem that supports a huge variety of animal and plant life. The sight of a Jacana striding delicately amongst the flowering lilies, the bee-eater diving to prey on an unsuspecting insect, and of course, the familiar cry of the African Fish Eagle – all combine to create the canvas of one of nature’s unique masterpieces. The river, eventually spilling its contents into the vast plains of the Makgadikgadi sands, disappears.

Our comfortable and well-appointed camp on the edge of one of the largest lagoons serves as a base from which we explore. We will glide through narrow reed-lined channels by mokoro, walk on uninhabited islands, and picnic in the wilderness while learning about the animals and plants of the Delta from local guides who have grown up in the area. We will also have time to relax and enjoy the views over a glistening lagoon from a beautiful wooden deck, cold drink in hand, or take a refreshing dip in the pool. We will enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise on a boat. A helicopter flip, to see the vastness of the Delta from the air, is recommended (own expense).

Overnight at Guma Lagoon Drifters Tented Camp (tented units with shared ablution) or similar – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Okavango River, emanating from the highlands of central Angola far to the northwest, flows south- and eastwards, before slowing and spreading into one of the world’s only true inland deltas, creating as it does so a unique ecosystem that supports a huge variety of animal and plant life. The sight of a Jacana striding delicately amongst the flowering lilies, the bee-eater diving to prey on an unsuspecting insect, and of course, the familiar cry of the African Fish Eagle – all combine to create the canvas of one of nature’s unique masterpieces. The river, eventually spilling its contents into the vast plains of the Makgadikgadi sands, disappears.

Our comfortable and well-appointed camp on the edge of one of the largest lagoons serves as a base from which we explore. We will glide through narrow reed-lined channels by mokoro, walk on uninhabited islands, and picnic in the wilderness while learning about the animals and plants of the Delta from local guides who have grown up in the area. We will also have time to relax and enjoy the views over a glistening lagoon from a beautiful wooden deck, cold drink in hand, or take a refreshing dip in the pool. We will enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise on a boat. A helicopter flip, to see the vastness of the Delta from the air, is recommended (own expense).

Overnight at Guma Lagoon Drifters Tented Camp (tented units with shared ablution) or similar – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4 DAYS FLEXIBLE GAME VIEWING IN KHWAI and/or MOREMI

We take to the skies again as we board our next morning flight into another world. Our 4-day Botswana safari odyssey starts up high, over the vast expanse of the Okavango Delta and Moremi National Park, towards the Khwai airstrip. We’re now in the heart of Botswana's protected wilderness of the Khwai Concession, and/or Moremi. Imagine parading elephant herds and leopards prowling in dappled shadows, or the drama of lions on the hunt, cheetahs in an electric sprint, and the dazzling dance of zebras and elegant antelope across the savanna.

Drifters’ ground crew will meet you for your transfer in an open vehicle to our secluded campsite on the banks of the Mbudi River. Your tented unit on the riverbank is waiting.

This 4-night safari, with daily game drives, is an unscripted adventure that takes shape according to the season's migrations. We will spend long, lazy hours at hides and waterholes, travelling with local Motswana guides in well-equipped, open 4×4 Land Cruisers built for wild places where roads are just tracks in the sand. After a day of rugged adventure, we arrive back at the oasis that is our camp at sunset, met by a cool cloth, a chilled drink and a crackling campfire that’s already dancing for the stories to come as night falls.

After a soulful evening spent in good company under the infinite galaxy, drift off to sleep in your tent to the cackle of a hyena or the roar of a lion. This is raw Africa, and probably the furthest you will ever be from civilisation. We leave the camp as we find it, with nothing but our footprints in the sand. Depending on the ever-changing conditions in the national parks, we may venture into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve or the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

Overnight at Khwai Drifters Tented Camp or similar – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Savour your final morning in the wild as we depart the Khwai Concession at a relaxed pace, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the remarkable landscapes and wildlife that make this region so special. The journey south traverses a mosaic of habitats, from riverine forests and floodplains to open grasslands and mopane woodlands. Keep your camera close at hand—this route often rewards travellers with sightings of elephants, giraffes, antelope, buffalo, and perhaps even predators making their final rounds before the heat of the day sets in.

As we leave the pristine wilderness behind, the scenery gradually changes from the lush waterways and wildlife-rich ecosystems of the Okavango Delta to the drier savannah landscapes surrounding Maun. Birdlife remains abundant throughout the journey, with colourful bee-eaters, majestic fish eagles, and a variety of raptors often accompanying travellers along the way. Arriving in Maun, you'll have time to explore the town and enjoy lunch at your leisure. Reflect on the unforgettable wildlife encounters and wilderness experiences of the past days before settling into the comfort of the lodge – our home in the wilderness. This evening, gather with your fellow travellers for a hearty dinner at the lodge before settling into the cosy bar area for a few drinks, shared stories, and plenty of laughter. It's the perfect opportunity to relive the highlights of your safari adventures, swap photographs, and enjoy the camaraderie that naturally develops on an overland journey.

Overnight at Drifters Maun Lodge or similar – Breakfast, Dinner

After a nourishing breakfast in Maun, we set off southward into the vastness of the Kalahari. The journey unfolds through ever-changing landscapes of open savannah, scrubland, and scattered acacia trees, passing remote villages where warm smiles and everyday glimpses of rural Botswana offer a quiet, authentic rhythm of life. This is true overland travel—long horizons, shifting skies, and the feeling of Africa stretching endlessly in every direction.

A scenic route carries us deeper into the Kalahari Sandveld, with a freshly prepared lunch provided by your guides en route. As the miles roll by, the landscape grows drier and more expansive, setting the stage for our arrival at one of Botswana’s most meaningful conservation areas. Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a powerful example of community-driven conservation in action. Established in 1992, this 8,585-hectare protected reserve was created to help save the critically endangered rhinoceros, restore the natural ecosystem, and provide sustainable tourism income for the local community. Today, it stands as a proud symbol of Botswana’s commitment to Wildlife, Community, and Conservation.

In the afternoon, set out on an open vehicle game drive through the sanctuary, searching for white and black rhino along with zebra, giraffe, antelope, and a rich variety of birdlife. As the day winds down, enjoy the last dinner together with your guides, surrounded by the sounds of the bush and the quiet anticipation of another night in the wild.

Overnight at Khama Rhino Sanctuary or similar – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's route takes us through the vast and magnificent Kalahari Plains, which never fails to take one's breath away, en route to the border with South Africa at Stockpoort Border Post. We continue south through the thornveld of South Africa's bushveld and follow a scenic route through the Waterberg Mountains, before entering the bustle of Africa’s economic heart and the Golden City of Johannesburg. The tour ends on arrival in Johannesburg in the late afternoon. We recommend spending a day exploring the city before continuing an adventure to Kruger National Park or Cape Town.

OPTIONAL Post-night at Protea Hotel by Marriott Balalaika Sandton or similar – Breakfast