Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Johannesburg - Nelspruit and surrounding area After arrival at Johannesburg airport, you'll claim your luggage and our South African representative will meet up with you right after customs. Our representative will take you to the 4WD rental office, which is only a short drive from the airport. While you're at the rental office be sure to check your 4WD and camping equipment to make sure it's all working properly. After all of the required formalities are finished, you're all set for your grand adventure! You'll drive for 4 hours to Nelspuit, where you'll stay at a bush lodge in a nearby natural reserve. In the afternoon you'll have plenty of time to get used to your 4WD and to go on some test drives in preparation for your trip. Your stay at the bush lodge is based on half board; breakfast and dinner are included during your stay. Don't get too used to sleeping in a regular bed though; tomorrow you'll be sleeping on the roof of your 4WD.

Total distance on Day 1 is approximately 370 km.

Day 2

Nelspruit - Blydepoort As you drive from Nelspruit to Blydepoort, slowly but surely the scenery will become more hilly and traffic will become sparse. In the distance, you'll be able to see the Drakensberg peaks and the impressive Blyde River Canyon. The canyon is more than 700 metres deep in some areas. Blyde River Canyon (see picture) Is one of the largest canyons in the world with spectacular features such as Three Rondavels, God's Window and Wonder View. You'll spend the night in your tent at the Aventura campsite. The campsite has a restaurant, a bar and a small supermarket; in other words, you won't be completely isolated from civilisation.

Total distance on Day 2 is approximately 200 km.

Day 3

Blydepoort - Kruger National Park After a hearty breakfast you'll drive on to Kruger Park's Orpen gate. You'll have most of the day to go on your own game drives. The roads are in excellent condition and you'll encounter all kinds of different animals during your drive. Stop at one of the many camps or rest stops along the way to stretch out for a bit. Drive over paved and unpaved roads until you reach either the Olifants or Satara camp in Kruger. This is where you'll set up your roof tent on top of your 4WD and spend the night with the sounds of the animals sending you off into a deep and dreamy sleep.

Before heading off to dreamland, be sure to hide away any food in a place where animals can't reach it.

Total distance on Day 3 is approximately 270 km.

Day 4

Kruger National Park Today you'll travel through Letaba, with its interesting elephant museum and also through the towns of Mopani and Tshanga. Eventually you'll continue travelling north towards Camp Shingwedzi where you'll spend the night. You'll travel approximately 150 km through Kruger Park at a maximum speed of 40 km per hour. These two beautiful cheetahs, photographed in this area, can easily keep up with your vehicle. The cheetah can easily run 90 km per hour without having to worry about park authority laser guns. In order to avoid traffic citations, try to drive 40 km per hour or less. There is plenty of food, drinks and other supplies available in various camps in this area.

Total distance on Day 4 is approximately 150 km.

Day 5

Kruger National Park - Tshipise
From the Pafuri-gate in Kruger National Park you'll head towards Tshipise, a campsite similar to that in Blydepoort. Along the way you'll get a good impression of the beautiful, yet very vacant African landscape in the Northern Province.

Total distance on Day 5 is approximately 275 km.

Day 6

Tshipisi - Selibe Phikwe
Today you'll explore Botswana! You'll start off with a long ride through the Soutpans mountain range. If you're lucky and skies are clear, you'll be able to enjoy the incredible view. More often than not though, the peaks are shrouded by mist. It's no wonder that many of the folk tales 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 6 is approximately 350 km.

Day 7

Selibe Phikwe - Nata
Today you'll venture even deeper into mysterious Botswana. You'll travel through a typical bush field through Serule and Francistown and then finally on to Nata. This is a fairly long road trip that will provide you with a really good impression of the Botswana countryside. Afterwards you'll arrive in Nata, where you'll spend the night at a campsite. Nata is a typical pioneer's town or throughway. Despite all attempts by man, you'll see that nature won't be repressed in this area..... it's never far away.

This town is a great place to stock up on supplies or to go souvenir shopping.

Total distance on Day 7 is approximately 335 km.

Day 8

Nata - Makgadikgadi salt plains
Today, you'll spend a peaceful day at the Nata Bird Sanctuary and also try to visit the Makgadikgadi salt plains! Everything here is 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.

The campsite which you'll be staying at has a store, restaurant and there's a swimming pool that's great for cooling off after a dusty day!

Day 9

Nata - Victoria Falls
Sometime this morning you'll head towards on to the Zimbabwe border and you'll leave Botswana behind. At the border you'll be able to purchase a visa for approximately $30 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 9 is approximately 375 km.

Day 10

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. Before you're able to see the falls, 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 11

Victoria Falls - Kasane (Chobe)Spend the morning in Victoria 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 your camp for the next 2 nights on the banks of the river at the exclusive wooden Kubu Lodge.

Day 12

Kasane (Chobe)The lodge has a beautiful 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 perhaps you would prefer a drive in the beautiful surrounding area. This area surrounding the Chobe River is very relaxing and well worth visiting!

Day 13

Kasane - Chobe National Park
First you'll stock up on supplies in the town of Kasane, since you'll have to be quite self-supporting the next few days. Your bush camping trip is a reality. You'll spend the night at the Ihaha campsite, which may take some getting used to. The strange noises generated by animals and other things are a part of being in the bush; while sleeping in your roof tent you'll feel like a true Living stone!

Total distance on Day 13 is approximately 100 -160 km.

Day 14

Chobe National Park - 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 15 is approximately 200 km.

Day 15

Savuti - Moremi
Today, you'll drive out of Chobe and on to the rugged sandy trails at Moremi Park. 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!

Total distance on Day 15 is approximately 165 km.

Day 16

Moremi You'll spend today exploring Moremi Game Reserve. 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.

Day 17

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.

Total distance on Day 17 is approximately 140 km.

Day 18

Maun (Okavango)
Today will be spent travelling the area at your own pace. If you like it you can also decide to extend your stay here for 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. You can also travel through the delta by Mokoro, a hollowed out tree log which is used as a canoe. The price for a Mokoro trip is approximately US$ 70 per person (including all permits).

Day 19

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 and even the Nxai salt plains. You'll also find the world famous Baines Baobab trees here. Be sure to stock up on supplies on time. Once you reach Maun there won't be any stores around to buy supplies at.

Total distance on Day 19 is approximately 150 km.

Day 20

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 20 is approximately 470 km.

Day 21

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 22 is approximately 340 km.

Day 22

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 22 is approximately 330 km.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

4WD rental for 22 days, camping equipment, unlimited kilometres, camp site allocations, accommodation and meals as mentioned, 3 nights in a hotel (Vic Falls- breakfast included, first night half board), 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 sightseeing flight or Mokoro trip. Note: complete excess pay-off can be purchased prior to departure - just ask for our all-in rates

Extras -

£990 per person is based on 4 people

£1298 per person is based on 2 people