17 day South Africa 4X4 itinerary - South Africa, Botswana & Zambia

Today you'll go on your first long road trip on your South African 4x4 itinerary. 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. 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 of the South Africa 4x4 itinerary is approximately 465 km.

Next up on this 4x4 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.

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. Visit the northern part of this territory in combination with the Sowa salt pan. Excursions to the salt plains are optional.

This morning on the South Africa 4x4 itinerary you'll drive onto the town of Kasane close to Africa's 'Four Corners' where Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe meet.

Here, you'll camp on the banks of the river at the exclusive wooden Kubu Lodge. 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 4X4 drive in a landrover? This area surrounding the Chobe River is very relaxing and well worth visiting!

Total distance on Day 5 is approximately 300 km.

Today you'll be able to sleep in for a bit, have some breakfast. Naturally, you'll want to visit the the 1700m wide waterfalls first and watch the raging waters plunge down from a height of more than 100m. You'll have to purchase an entrance ticket and hike towards the falls from the entrance of the park.

After about a 15 minute walk (towards the sounds of raging water and the misty air...) you'll reach the edge of this world wonder. If you'd like to get even closer to the falls, make sure to bring along a raincoat... otherwise you'll be completely and utterly soaking wet. If you prefer to view the falls without the raincoat, you can also choose to take a spectacular helicopter ride above the falls. If you have any adrenaline left over after this, you could also go rafting over the Zambezi. This is one of the most extraordinary rafting opportunities in the world and we're sure you'll agree. Whether or not you'll be able to go rafting is however dependent on water levels. If the water is too low, you can also choose to go bungee jumping from the bridge across the Zambezi. For those looking for a more relaxing alternative, try a laid-back canoe ride across the Zambezi (preferably at sunrise or sunset). This is also quite an experience and you'll even get to visit a few markets along the way.

After breakfast it's time to say goodbye to Victoria Falls and to head out to Kasane. If you reach Kasane before lunch, you'll have the rest of the afternoon to look around. If you weren't able to participate in the boat cruise the first time around, this is your chance to do so this afternoon. At the end of the day you'll unfold your tent and spend another night on the roof your safari vehicle.

Total distance on Day 8 of the South Africa 4X4 itinerary is approximately 65 km.
 

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, you'll definitely get a few memorable pictures of this.

Today 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; this is a dried-up swamp that has now become vast grassland. You'll find many zebras, gnus and buffalos living here these days. However, they are not alone..... during the past years 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.

Total distance on Day 10 is approximately 200 km.

This morning, you'll drive out of Chobe and into Moremi National Park. This is quite a scenic route; however since you'll be driving on a rather rough sandy path, you'll want to hold on to your steering wheel tightly. There aren't any real roads out here, only sandy track left by other vehicles. Luckily at this point of your trip, you'll already have quite some experience driving your 4x4 and you shouldn't have any problem driving here. You'll spend two nights at a simple camp site. Your camping spot is marked by a number on a tree. You'll spend the night in the middle of nowhere surrounded by hippos, giraffes and elephants. Sanitation at the camp site is quite primitive; however the experience of sleeping in the middle of the bush is priceless.

Today's total distance is approximately 165 km

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.

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.

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.

You'll re-enter South Africa today on the 4x4 itinerary 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.

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 17 is approximately 330 km.