4 COUNTRIES X 4 RIVERS ROUTE.
South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia x Kavango, Kwando, Zambezi. Chobe
We meet in Ghanzi, Botswana. Over the next 2 weeks we visit the Drotsky Caves, a little-known outback destination with incredible stalagmite and stalactite formations, the Tsodilo Hills with its traditional Koi settlement and ancient art, a makoro trip into the Okavango delta and a bird-watching sundowner trip on the Kavango River before crossing into Namibia. After a visit to the Mahango National Park we embark on the challenging sand track to the Kaudum National Park then back into the Caprivi Strip including stops along the Kwando River before reaching the mighty Zambezi River. After crossing into Zambia we spend time at the renowned Victoria falls including a sundowner cruise just above the Falls. We re-enter Botswana then travel all along the Chobe River which must rate one of the most spectacular game drives anywhere! Southwards through the Chobe National Park we sadly end our sojourn in Maun, Botswana.
ITINERARY
Our itinerary as set out is subject to change, depending on current circumstances.
Please refer to our list of included and excluded items under SELF DRIVE, click here.
Day 1
Meet at GHANZI, Botswana, late afternoon
Accommodation: Camping (chalets, tented camps available at own cost)
Facilities: swimming pool & bar
Activities: braai followed by trip briefing
Day 2
Make our way north to Drotski Caves
Distance: 300km of which 100Km deep sand
Duration: 6 hours
Overnight: Camp near Drotski Caves, no facilities
Day 3
Activities: Visit the caves and feast on the most incredible and unusual stalagmite and stalactite formations. From frozen waterfalls and flow stones to mammoth obelisks of naturally formed rock all awash in myriad subtle colors. Drotski’s caves demonstrate the passage of time in all its petrified glory.
Visit the Tsodilo Hills with its traditional Koi settlement and ancient rock art, a glimps into the cultural history of Botswana.
Proceed to Drotski cabins
Distance: 300km
Duration: 5 hours
Overnight: Camping at Drotski Cabins (chalets available at own cost)
Day 4
Travel a short distance to Sekondomboro. Mokoro trip into the Okavango Delta
Distance: 40 km
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes, crossing on a Ferry/ Pontoon takes 30 minutes
Activities: Morning, visit islands in mokoro’s, bird watching and be on the lookout for hippo’s and elephants. Late afternoon boat trip on the Kavango River. Admire the abundant birdlife, Pearl’s Fishing Owl, African Skimmer and Narnia Trogon to name but a few. Crocodiles, hippos abound in the river system as well as the rare Sitatunga antelope.
Accommodation: Camping at Drotski cabins (chalets available at own cost)
Day 5
Cross border into Namibia. Visit the Mahango National Park, famous for it’s roan and sable antilope. Proceed into the Caprivi strip
Distance: 150 km
Duration: 6 to 9 hours – depending on how much time we spend in the Mahango.
Overnight: Camp along the Kavango River – full ablutions
Activities: Game viewing at waterholes – Wildlife such as elephant, lion and roan and sable antelope etc.
Day 6
Proceed to the Kaudum National Park
Distance: 150 km of which 60km in exceptionally deep sand. This is where you get our 4X4 badge!
Duration: 6 to 9 hours – depending on how often you stop (get stuck!)
Overnight: Bush camp, at Sikoreti Bush camp(no alternatives available, and no facilities)
Activities: Game viewing at waterholes – Wildlife such as elephant, lion and roan and sable antelope etc.
Day 7
Working our way back into the Caprivi.
Distance: 150 km
Duration: 8 hours (game viewing plus very deep sand)
Where to: Kavango River base camp
Activities: Game viewing
Accommodation: Camping (tented chalets are available at own cost,)
Day 8
Travel through Caprivi. Visit 32 Battalion base and Fort Doppies on Kwando River. Cross back into Botswana at Ngoma Border Post.
Distance: 350 km
Duration: 6 hours (border crossing takes at least a hour)
Overnight: Muchenje Camp
Day 9
Travel fast route to Kasani.
Park vehicles at a safe base camp and cross into Zambia by bus to the Victoria Falls.
Distance: 80 Km
Duration: 5 hours (Dreadful Border Post!).
Accommodation: Chalets
Activity: Zambezi Sundowner Booze Cruise – eat and drink all you can in 2,5 hours!
Day 10
Activities: Visit falls in morning. Rest of day at own leisure and cost. Suggested activities can include a visit to the croc farm; grade 5 white water rafting, bungi jumping, helicopter flights, canoeing.
Late afternoon return by bus to Kasani in Botswana
Accommodation: Camping (Chalets available at own cost)
Day 11
Destination: Chobe National Park, off-road river route. Stunning game drive!
Distance: 150 km
Duration: Will depend on game viewing along the way – no rush
Overnight: Muchenje Camp Site
Accommodation: Camping
Day 12
Working our way south to Savuti in Chobe National Park
Distance: 100 km
Duration: 6 – 8 hours depending on wild life activities
Activities: Savuti is famous for its large concentration of Elephant around waterholes. Also cheetah, lion, wild dogs, hippo, Zebra and the elusive Klipspringer. Abundant birdlife that includes the Kori bustard, Carmine Bee–eaters, Martial Eagle, Liliac breasted roller, Red-billed Queleas which gather in their thousands, etc.
Overnight: Savuti camp site
Day 13
Travel south through the length of the Chobe National Park.
Distance: 150km
Duration: 6 hours
Overnight: Bush Camp
Day 14
Proceed to Maun.
Distance: 100km
Duration: 6 hours
Overnight: Campsite outside Maun.
Last night of trip. Share experiences and contact numbers with each other.
COSTS:
$ 1400 per person sharing (SADEC residents please contact us for price).
$ 200 for Single supplement
Border and Visa fees for own account. (This will depend on Nationality)
Visa and Master card withdrawals possible in all major towns.
Fuel: Fuel cheaper in Botswana and Namibia. Visa and Master card accepted but not Garage Cards.