22 day camping safari  in the Kruger, Botswana and Zambia

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 4X4 rental office, which is only a short drive from the airport. While you're at the rental office be sure to check your 4X4 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 4X4 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 4X4. 

Total distance on Day 1 of the camping safari in Botswana and Zambia is approximately 370 km.

As you drive from Nelspruit to Blydepoort on your camping safari, 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.

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 4X4 and spend the night with the sounds of the animals sending you off into a deep and dreamy sleep.

Before heading off to bed, 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.  

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. There is plenty of food, drinks and other supplies available in various camps in this area. 

Total distance on Day 4 of the camping safari in South Africa and Botswana is approximately 150 km.

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, wide African landscape in the Northern Province. 

Total distance on Day 5 is approximately 275 km.

Today on your camping safari 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.

Today you'll venture even deeper into mysterious Botswana on the camping safari. 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.

Today, you'll spend a peaceful day at the Nata Bird Sanctuary and also try to visit the Makgadikgadi salt plains! Everything on the camping safari in Botswana 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 Botswana 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!

Next, you'll head for the town of Kasane on the banks for the Chobe River. Be sure to reach the town around lunch time, so you can spend the afternoon relaxing after setting 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. If you're full of energy, we can definitely recommend an optional boat cruise on the river in the afternoon, or even a 4X4 drive in a Land Rover.
 
Total distance on Day 9 of the camping safari in Botswana is approximately 300kms.

This morning you'll wake up early for a visit to Zambia and the impressive Victoria Falls. Locals call these waterfalls 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' and loosely translated this means as much as ' Thundering smoke'

You can choose to drive your 4x4 over the Botswanan border; however we always advise booking a transfer locally and leaving your rental car behind at the lodge. Generally this is a much more affordable option and it takes some of the effort out of choosing the right route to drive and the border crossing. On average a transfer will cost approximately 55 USD per person. Once you reach the Zambian border, you'll be able to purchase a visa for approximately 50 USD per person. It's best to carry this amount on you in cash to simplify payment. After you arrive in Zambia you'll spend 2 nights in a charming guest house with decent rooms with showers and toilets. Breakfast is included during your stay.

Today's total distance is approximately 65 km.

Before driving any further today, you'll definitely want to stock up on supplies since you'll be out on your own for the next few days and far from civilisation. This is where your ' Bush camping safari' begins. One of the highlights of driving Botswana 4x4 is the Chobe National Park, known for its large herds of elephants that come together by the banks of the Chobe River. It's very likely that you'll encounter these magnificent animals on your way to camp. The camp site where you'll set up for the night borders the Chobe River. So don't be too surprised if you hear something moving in the bushes tonight. This is all a part of the sleeping in the bush and actually it's quite fun; not something you're likely to experience on a camping trip in the South Downs. Of course you'll have to make sure to keep your food and supplies far from away from the animals' reach, otherwise you may wake up to find that a hyena has stolen your breakfast.

Total driving distance on Day 13 is 100km to 160km.

Early in the morning you may wake up to find large groups of elephants bathing in the river. It's quite an incredible experience to see these wild animals so close up. Keep your camera handy, try and grab a few memorable pictures of this.

Today on the camping safari in Botswana, you'll have an entire day to explore Chobe and to head out in search of all the different types of animals in this area. The extensive maps you'll receive will make it easy to choose your own route. In Chobe National Park you'll find Savuti; a dried-up swamp that has now become grassland. You'll find many zebras, wildebeest and buffalos living here these days. However, they are not alone. Recently a large group of lions have also made this place their home. At the end of the day you'll spend another night in your tent surrounded by animal sounds and beneath a bright and twinkling starry sky.  

Today, you'll drive your 4x4 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! There are no real roads to speak of in this area, only sandy trails. No worries though... since you've been travelling by 4X4 in Botswana for quite a few days now, you won't have any problem navigating the roads.

Total distance on Day 15 is approximately 165 km.

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 turn your 4x4 into 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.

Leaving Botswana behind, 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 21 is approximately 340 km.

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 4X4 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.