Self Drive Safaris

Classic Northern Route

Day 1: Arrive in Maun, Vehicle briefing, Overnight Maun Camping

On arrival you will be met by a representative from Travel Adventures. You will receive a comprehensive 1-2 hour briefing of the vehicle & equipment & the route you will be driving. Following this you can buy provisions in Maun for the next 9 days on your Self Drive Adventure. Your first night will be spent camping in Maun.

Day 2: Camping in Moremi Game Reserve

The following morning you will depart early for Moremi Game Reserve. This drive will take you 4-6 hours depending on what game & birds you encounter on the way into the Parks. You will spend the next 2 nights camping in Moremi exploring on game drives by day.

Day 3: Camping in Moremi Game Reserve

Day 4: Camping in Khwai Area Moremi Game Reserve

Following breakfast you will pack up camp & drive to the Khwai area of the Moremi Game Reserve. The drive will take you around 4-5 hours depending on what game you see on the way. You will spend 2 nights camping in Khwai exploring in your self drive vehicle by day.

Day 5: Camping in Khwai Area Moremi Game Reserve

Day 6: Camping Savuti Area

Following breakfast you will pack camp and depart Khwai heading for the Savuti region of Chobe National Park. The drive will take you 4-6 hours depending on the game along the way. You will spend 2 nights camping in Savuti and there is no better time to visit Savuti as the Savuti Channel flowed in 2010 for the first time in 30 years! There are also bushmen paintings in Savuti and are signposted on the right side of the main road heading into Savuti. This is the only area in Savuti that you are allowed to exit your vehicle (other than the campsite) and remember not to touch the paintings.

Day 7: Camping Savuti Area

Day 8: Camping in Ihaha Campsite– Chobe National Park

After breakfast and packing camp you will drive from the Savuti area to the Chobe River area of Chobe National Park. The Chobe area is renowned for its spectacular herds on elephants along the Chobe River and you will spend you last 2 nights camping in this area and game driving by day. The drive from Savuti to Chobe will take approx 5-6 hours.

Day 9: Camping in Ihaha Campsite– Chobe National Park

Day 10: Kasane Drop off vehicle

Possible Extension

Day 10: Kasane to Nata

On arrival in Kasane you will buy more provisions and fill the vehicle with fuel for your next 5 days on your Self Drive Adventure.

You will then drive South from Kasane to Nata which is 300kms—be careful of elephant on the road and look out for wild dogs.

The drive will take approx 3-4 hours and is on a tar road. You will spend the night camping at Nata Lodge.

Day 11: Camping at Kubu Island

The following morning you will depart early for Kubu Island and the drive is 90kms off the main road and will take you at least 4-5 hours.

Day 12: Makgadikgadi Pans (Nxai Pan, Baines Baobabs & Njuca Hillls)

You will depart Kubu Island early and head toward the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans where you will spend the next 2 nights camping and

exploring the area in your self drive vehicle by day.

Day 13: Makgadikgadi Pans (Nxai Pan, Baines Baobabs & Njuca Hillls)

Day 14: Khumaga

After breakfast you will leave the pans & head towards Khumaga for the last night camping & explore the area in your vehicle by day.

Day 15: Maun

Following breakfast and packing camp you will head back to Maun to drop off the vehicle. This drive will take approx 2-3 hours to Maun.

Because the road conditions in Botswana can be tough, we do recommend clients undertake a 4×4 driving course before a self drive safari: find out about our driver training programme, now available in Maun.

Below is some of the basic information you might need about general road conditions, the types of roads you may encounter and driving information on your self drive safari.

Tar – Tarmac roads in Botswana are generally good but watch out for the occasional pothole. Be extremely alert for animals on the roads, and do not drive at night. Drive slowly past all animals and be particularly aware of livestock and wildlife in the thick bush or grass next to the roads.

Gravel – Keep to a reasonable speed as there may be rutted sections or potholes. Heavy braking on loose gravel can cause the vehicle to ‘aquaplane’. Be vigilant for wildlife and livestock which may run across the road without warning.

Sand – Most sand roads are traversed easily in high range 4×4. In the hot months it may be necessary to use low range 4×4 for short distances. The secret to sand driving is to lower the tyre pressure to create a bigger ‘footprint’. Once your tyres are the correct pressure the vehicle moves easily through thick sand, but be sure to re-inflate your tyres when back on hard surfaces.

Mud – During the rainy season (November-April) some of the roads in Botswana become impassable due to the mud, also known as black cotton soil. Avoid it at all costs – if you get stuck you won’t be able to dig yourself out and if you are in a remote area you could stay there for weeks. Look to see if previous passersby have made a diversion around the problem section. If so, follow it.

Water – Water crossings can be deeper than you think. Do not attempt to drive through any water crossing without first walking through it –check carefully for hippos and crocodiles. Our vehicles’ manufacturers specify they can cross water crossings to just above the wheels.

Fuel

There is no fuel as you head through the bush between Maun and Kasane. In an absolute emergency the lodges may be able to provide you with food or fuel – but at a greatly inflated price and usually only after seeking permission from headquarters in Maun. . Rakops often runs out of fuel so don’t depend on it.