Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Johannesburg - Overnight in Pilanesberg On arrival in Johannesburg, our South African representative will meet you and take you to the 4WD rental office, which is only a short drive from the airport. While you're at the rental office, you'll be able to take care of all the formalities and naturally you'll also check your 4WD and camping equipment to make sure it's all working properly. Then you're all set for your grand adventure and your trip can begin. You'll start off with a 2,5 hour drive to Pilanesberg Park, your first destination during this trip. This malaria-free reserve, located in the vicinity of gambling paradise 'Sun City', is often underestimated and is in fact more beautiful than most imagine it to be. The reserve consists of approximately 500 km2 non-active vulcano's and glowing bush hills. Aside from both white and black rhinos, you'll also encounter hippos, elephants, giraffe, buffalos and all shapes and sizes of goats. You'll spend the night at the reserve's campsite. If you really want to go on an unforgettable adventure during your trip, go on a hot air balloon safari. The hot air balloon ride may be expensive, but the experience is worth it. However, if you prefer the low-cost alternative..... a 4WD will take you wherever you want to go in the reserve and you can't beat watching the sun set while relaxing in the seat of your car.

Total distance on Day 1 is approximately 250 km.

Day 2

Pilanesberg - Selibe Phikwe Today you'll go on your first long road trip. You'll drive towards the Botswana border and you'll cross over at Martin's Drift border crossing. You'll drive through the Soutpans mountain range and enjoy incredible views. More often than not though, the peaks are shrouded by mist. It's no wonder that many of the folk tails told in this area involve the misty mountain tops. You'll understand once you see them. Then you're on to Sefophe and the city of Selibe Phikwe. You'll spend the night in the charming Syringa Lodge, which also offers excellent dining options.

Total distance on Day 2 is approximately 465 km.

Day 3

Selibe Phikwe - Nata Next up on this itinerary is Nata.Your accommodation is near the Makgadikgade. This area is known for vast salt plains surrounded by grasslands and savnnahs filled with Mopane and Acacia trees. Nxai pan is also nearby and this is where you'll find wildebeasts, buffalos and zebras grazing. You'll spend the night at the campsite of a lodge decorated completely in African style. The campsite has a store, restaurant and a swimming pool to splash off some of the dust. You'll also be able to stock up on supplies while you're here.

Total distance on Day 3 is approximately 335 km.

Day 4

Free day - Nata Spend a peaceful day at the Nata Bird Sanctuary and also try to visit the Makgadikgadi salt plains! Everything here is XL (extra large). The salt plains cover an area of approximately 37,000 km2. There are an enormous amount of flamingo's and pelicans in this area and you'll definitely enjoy the view here. There's a mysterious atmosphere in this area. Visit the northern part of this territory in combination with the Sowa salt pan. Excursions to the salt plains are optional.

Day 5

Nata - Victoria Falls This morning you'll drive out of Botswana and into the third country on this itinerary: Zambia. At the border you'll be able to purchase a visa for approximately 50 US$ per person and you'll also receive the necessary stamps for transporting your rental car over the border. You'll spend the night in cosy guest house in Victoria Falls. Your room will have a private bathroom with shower and toilet and breakfast is included during your stay.

Total distance on Day 5 is approximately 375 km.

Day 6

Victoria Falls You won't have to worry about taking down your tent today..... sleep in, have breakfast and then go out and explore the town of Victoria Falls. Naturally you may want to visit the 1700 meter wide waterfalls first. The raging water from these falls plunges more than 100 meters down. You'll have to purchase an entrance ticket and hike towards the falls from the entrance of the park. After about 15 minutes of hiking towards the sound of thundering water and mist, you'll reach this world wonder. If you really want to see the falls from up close, be sure to bring along a raincoat. Another, more spectacular, way to view the falls is by helicopter. If you're looking for more ways to get your adrenaline flowing; go on a wild water rafting trip on the Zambezi. This is one of the most amazing rafting trips in the world, without a doubt! The river's water level will have to be appropriate for rafting trips to take place. If the trip is cancelled, you can always decide to go bungee jumping off of the bridge over the Zambezi. For those looking for a more relaxing trip over the Zambezi, go on a sunrise or sunset canoe ride over the river. There are also small markets in this area that are worth visiting.

Day 7

Victory Falls - Kasane (Chobe)Spend the morning in Victory Falls and then continue on over a paved road into Botswana. In approximately 2 hours you'll reach the town of Kasane on the banks for the Chobe River. Make sure to reach the town around lunch time. You'll set up camp on the banks of the river at the beautiful wooden Kubu Lodge. The lodge has a lovely garden and a fine restaurant for dining when you don't feel like cooking. Go on an optional boat cruise on the river in the afternoon or even a 4WD drive in a landrover. This area surrounding the Chobe River is very relaxing and well worth visiting.

Total distance on Day 7 is approximately 90 km.

Day 8

Kasane - Ihaha (Chobe) Start the day off with a shopping trip for supplies in the town of Kasane. The supplies will surely come in handy during the next few self-supporting days... your bush camping adventure is about to begin in all earnest. You'll spend the night at the Ihaha campsite. This may take a little getting used to: the strange animal sounds are all part of the bush experience and sleeping in your roof tent will let you experience being a true 'Living Stone'!

Total distance on Day 8 is approximately 150-200 km.

Day 9

Ihaha A day to explore the big game country of Chobe National Park, look out for herds of buffalo, elephant and prides of lions.

Day 10

Kasane - Savuti Sandy tracks in this area make driving a 4WD an absolute must! Keep a close eye on your road map and go on a wild ride straight through the park. Spend the night in the Savuti bush camp with little to no luxuries, but plenty of warm and cold water. Savuti is inhabited by large groups of predators such as buffalos, rhinos, lions and herds of zebra's. In the northern part of the park, near Serondella, you'll see large groups of elephants taking early morning baths in the river.

Total distance on Day 10 is approximately 200 km.

Day 11

Savuti - Moremi Drive out of Chobe and on to the rugged sandy trails at Moremi Park. The trails are quite difficult to navigate so you'll have to drive carefully. You'll spend two nights at campsites such as the North Gate campsite and in Xakanaxa. Welcome to a world of basic plumbing, cold water and adventures in the bush! There are no real roads to speak of in this area, only sandy trails. No worries though.... since you've been travelling by 4WD for quite a few days now, you won't have any problem navigating the roads.

Total distance on Day 11 is approximately 165 km.

Day 12

Moremi A whole day to travel the Moremi National Park, where you can see anything from cheetahs to Nile crocodiles

Day 13

Moremi - Maun (Okavango)Since the park roads are hardly appropriate for driving fast, you'll be able to take all the time you need to leave the park today. The drive out of the park is absolutely beautiful. Drive past the south gate on to the civilised world outside of the park. The Crocodile campsite (or another comparable campsite) will offer a very welcome warm shower, relaxing swimming pool and a glass of cold beer or wine at the end of the day. You can also decide to extend your stay here with a day and go on an optional flight above the Okavango delta. Since there are no roads in this area the only means of transportation is a small airplane.

Total distance on Day 13 is approximately 140 km.

Day 14

Maun - Makgadikgadi salt plains Visit the salt plains once again, but this time from another side. Spend the night at the Xumaga campsite; an excellent campsite with proper toilets and showers. You'll have plenty of time to see the entire park.

Total distance on Day 14 is approximately 150 km.

Day 15

Makgadikgadi - Palapye Next on your journey is the north side of the rugged central Kalahari Desert, the central game and Palapye. Along the way you'll get a great impression of the endless salt lake expanses. Approximately 30 km from the town of Serowe you'll come across the Khama Rhino Sanctuary; one of the few locations in Botswana where you'll see many rhinos. You'll spend the night at a campsite here. While in this area, you'll have the option to hike trails with an armed guide. You can also decide to go on a game drive in one of the land rovers.

Total distance on day 16 is approximately 470 km.

Day 16

Palapye - Marakele National Park You'll re-enter South Africa today through the Martins Drift border crossing. Drive past Elisras on to Marakele Park, which is partially owned by a wealthy Dutch man named Fentener van Vlissingen. You'll spend the night at an excellent campsite. If you arrive on time, you'll be able to book an organized game drive through the park during the afternoon or evening.

Total distance on Day 16 is approximately 340 km.

Day 17

Marakele - Johannesburg - End of itinerary After the morning safari you'll have time for a long breakfast and time to clean your camping equipment. When you're done you'll take down your tent for one last time and then you'll drive the last leg to Johannesburg and the rental office. Be sure to be here before 16.00 in order to drop off your 4WD during opening hours. After dropping off your car you can pack up anything you won't need during the evening in your luggage. In the evening you'll be transferred to the airport where you'll have some time to freshen up, have dinner and eventually fly back to the UK after an unforgettable South Africa holiday.

Total distance on Day 17 is approximately 330 km.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Single or double cab 4WD for 17 days, camping equipment, unlimited kilometres, camp site accommodation and meals as mentioned, 3 nights in a hotel near Victoria Falls with breakfast, road maps, trail information and border documents.

Exclusions -

Park entrance fees (approx. US$10-15 per person per day), fuel, toll, border expenses and if applicable additional game drives, excess pay-off and international flights. Optional Okavango sight-seeing flight. Note: complete excess pay-off can be purchased prior to departure - ask for our all-in rates.

Extras -

£718 per person is based on 4 people
£1012 per person is based on 2 people