From Camping in Moremi to Starry Nights on the Salt Pans and Victoria Falls

Day notes

Day 1: Arrival and Crossing into Botswana

Welcome to the heart of Southern Africa! After a hopefully comfortable flight, you’ll arrive at Victoria Falls International Airport in Zimbabwe. The first step of your adventure is securing your visa (we recommend the KAZA Univisa, valid for both Zimbabwe and Zambia). After collecting your luggage, you’ll be warmly greeted by a guide waiting for you in the arrival hall.

Your guide will escort you to the Botswana border, where you’ll switch drivers and vehicles for the drive into Kasane. You’ll be staying at the Chobe River Cottages, a lovely and centrally located accommodation right on the banks of the mighty Chobe River. The cottages provide a perfect spot to relax and unwind after your journey.

As meals are not included today, you have the total freedom to explore the charming town of Kasane at your own pace. This is the perfect opportunity to find a local restaurant for a delicious dinner, browse for your first souvenirs, or simply enjoy a meal with a view of the river. A relaxed start to what promises to be an unforgettable 15-day journey!

Day notes

Day 2: Freedom of the Open Road: Self-drive through Chobe

Today, the real adventure begins! After checking out of the Chobe River Cottages, you’ll be taken to the depot to collect your rental car. This rugged 4x4 will be more than just your transport for the coming weeks—it will feel like a second home. Once you’ve checked the vehicle and all your gear, it’s time to hit the road.

Your journey today takes you from Kasane to Mwandi View, but this is no ordinary drive. You’ll be traveling straight through the heart of Chobe National Park.

• Sedudu Gate to Ngoma Gate: Enter the park at the Sedudu Gate and follow the winding tracks along the Chobe River Front. This area is world-renowned for its incredible wildlife density.

• Spot the Big Five: Take your time on this drive. With the river on your right, you have a high chance of spotting lions on the prowl, bathing elephants, and countless antelopes in their natural habitat.

• Arrival at Mwandi View: After a day filled with sightings, you’ll exit the park at the Ngoma Gate. From there, it’s just a short drive to Mwandi View, where you can unwind and toast to your first successful day of self-driving in the African wilderness.

Day notes

Day 3:  Heading to Thobolo's Bush Lodge

Today, you leave Mwandi View behind and continue your journey to the next adventurous destination: Thobolo's Bush Lodge, located in the remote Chobe Forest Reserve. After checking out, you have the entire day to explore at your own pace, searching for the Big Five and the many other inhabitants of this vast wilderness.

Thobolo’s is strategically situated near the largest natural waterhole in the area. This is the ultimate meeting point for wildlife:

• A Constant Parade of Animals: Because water is scarce here, elephants, buffalo, and rare antelopes like the sable and roan frequently come here to drink.

• Front-Row Seats: From the lodge or campsite, you have a unique opportunity to observe these magnificent animals up close in their natural habitat, often without even needing to get into your car.

• Sounds of the Night: As you settle in, you’ll hear the bush come alive. It’s the perfect spot to experience the raw, untouched atmosphere of Botswana.

Day notes

Day 4: From Thobolo to the Khwai Hippo Pool

Today features a spectacular road trip, but make no mistake: this isn't just a drive, it’s a full-day safari! You’ll leave Thobolo’s Bush Lodge behind and head toward the Khwai Hippo Pool Campsite. It is essential to start early, ideally before the sun crests the horizon. These early morning hours are the prime time to catch predators still on the move while the cool night air still lingers over the bush.

As you maneuver your 4x4 through the ever-changing terrain, the landscape evolves around you. Along the way, you have total freedom:

• Safari on the Move: The entire route takes you through wildlife-rich areas. Keep a sharp eye out for elephants, giraffes, and perhaps even a leopard resting in a leadwood tree.

• Waterhole Stops: Take your time to pause at various watering holes. Every stop can bring a new surprise, from a herd of thirsty buffalo to playful baboons.

• Arrival in Khwai: After an adventurous day, you’ll reach the famous Hippo Pool. As the name suggests, you’ll be camping right by the water where hippos are the local residents. Their characteristic 'honking' will provide the soundtrack to your evening under the stars.

Day notes

Day 5: From the Khwai River to the Mankwe Wilderness

Today, you have the luxury of spending nearly the entire day in the Khwai Community Area. This region is a true paradise for nature lovers; the blend of floodplains and dry woodlands attracts an incredible variety of wildlife.

Use the morning and early afternoon to scout the banks of the Khwai River.

• Wildlife Encounters in Khwai: Keep your camera ready for lions, leopards, and the rare African wild dogs that are frequently sighted here.

• Towards Mankwe: In the late afternoon, set course for Hideaways Mankwe Tented Retreat, where you’ll be staying at the campsite just outside the park boundaries.

• Camping Among Giants: Ensure you arrive before dusk to set up camp. While the campsite offers a peaceful spot to unwind, you are still deep within the untamed wilderness. Stay alert: the Big Five don't recognize borders, so don't be surprised if wildlife passes right by your camp during the night.

Day notes

Day 6: From the Bush to the Gateway of the Delta

Today is all about your own pace. You can choose to spend a final morning scouting the Khwai area for that one last predator sighting, or head straight to Maun after breakfast. Your journey leads to Discovery Bed & Breakfast, a charming spot where you won’t have to cook for yourself for a change! It’s the perfect place to recharge after your rugged days in the Botswana wilderness.

To truly grasp the scale of the Okavango Delta, there is an optional helicopter flight that is simply second to none. Our team of highly experienced international pilots is eager to share their love for this region. From the air, you’ll witness the incredible expanse of lagoons and crystal-clear channels. Spotting hippos, elephants, and giraffes from above offers a perspective that is impossible to capture from the ground.

Day notes

Day 7: A Night in the Heart of the Okavango Delta

Today features one of my absolute favorite activities: an overnight stay in the Okavango Delta. This is an unforgettable experience where you literally stay in the midst of the Big Five! At 09:00 AM, you will be picked up from your accommodation in Maun for the transfer to the edge of this vast wetland.

As soon as you reach the water's edge, you’ll step into a mokoro—the traditional dugout canoe of the Delta. While an experienced local poler pushes you silently through the crystal-clear channels, you’ll come face-to-face with tiny reed frogs, stunning water lilies, and countless bird species. The silence on the water is truly magical.

Together with a local team, you’ll explore the islands on foot during a walking safari, searching for tracks of larger wildlife. You’ll spend the night in a simple yet atmospheric camp on one of the remote islands. Prepare for a breathtaking starry sky and the thrilling sounds of the bush surrounding you; from the distant roar of a lion to the splashing of a nearby hippo. Enjoy every moment in this unique and untouched landscape.

Day notes

Day 8 & 9: From Waterways to the Makgadikgadi Pans

The morning of day 8 begins with one final walk through the Delta’s wilderness. With the dew still on the reeds, you’ll join your guide to track elephants, lions, or perhaps a leopard on the move. After these final sightings, you’ll board the mokoro once more for the tranquil journey back to your rental car. Once reunited with your 4x4, it’s a two-hour drive from Maun to the Boteti River Camp.

Wildlife along the Boteti River This camp is situated on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans, where the Boteti River serves as a vital lifeline for thousands of zebras and wildebeests. On day 9, you’ll head out with a professional guide to explore the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

• Check-in Tip: Upon arrival at the camp, be sure to ask for the exact departure times for the following day's guided safari.

• Unique Terrain: Prepare for vast horizons and a fascinating contrast between the river's edge and the shimmering, dry salt pans in the distance.

Day notes

Day 10: Among the Giants of Gweta, Planet Baobab

Today, you leave the Makgadikgadi Pans behind for a drive to the quirky and iconic Planet Baobab. This location is world-famous for its massive, ancient baobab trees that dominate the landscape. The campsite not only offers breathtaking views but also serves as an ideal spot to relax and reflect on all the adventures you've experienced so far.

If you don't feel like cooking over a campfire tonight, the on-site restaurant serves excellent meals, allowing you to fully unwind. For those still craving some excitement, there are several fantastic optional activities available:

• Walking with Meerkats: A true highlight! Head out in the early morning to observe these incredibly habituated meerkats as they go about their daily routine and stand sentry on the pans.

• Quad Biking: Experience the immense emptiness of the salt pans as you zoom across the shimmering white crust on a quad bike.

• Planet Baobab Bushwalk: Join a guided walk to learn about the fascinating desert-adapted flora and fauna, as well as the traditional survival skills used in this arid region.

Day notes

Day 11 to 13: Returning to the Chobe Wilderness

Today marks your final major road trip of the journey. It is wise to rise early, as the drive from the baobabs to the depot in Kasane takes approximately five hours. Upon arrival, you will say goodbye to your trusty 4x4. From the drop-off location, a 20-minute transfer will whisk you away to the charming Tlouwana Camp, your sanctuary for the next three nights.

Crafting your final safari moments Upon check-in, you’ll sit down with the lodge team to plan your activities for the coming days. Staying in the heart of the Kasane Forest Reserve means wildlife is always close at hand. You have a wide range of optional activities to choose from: Chobe River Boat Cruise, Full Day Safari, Tlouwana dining, and the Morning or Afternoon Game drives. 

Day notes

Day 14: The Victoria Falls

Today, you will be collected from the lodge for a transfer taking you back into Zimbabwe. At the border, you’ll switch vehicles and drivers, as local transport is not permitted to cross the boundary. Once you arrive at your lodge in Victoria Falls, you’ll immediately feel the vibrant energy of this iconic destination.

The remainder of the day is yours to dedicate to the magnificent Victoria Falls. Visiting the falls is easily arranged via a transfer from your lodge. As you walk along the viewpoints, you'll experience the raw power of the Zambezi River plunging into the abyss with a roar that echoes through the air.

• Expert Tip: Would you prefer to explore the falls with a professional guide who can share the fascinating history and geology of the site? Just let me know, and I can pre-book this tour for you!

• Farewell Dinner: Spend your final evening in Africa at one of the town’s charming restaurants, watching the mist of the falls rise above the treeline in the distance.

Day notes

Day 15: Time to go home 

All good things must come to an end, and today marks the final chapter of your unforgettable 15-day journey through the wilderness of Botswana and Zimbabwe. You will be picked up from your lodge for a seamless transfer to Victoria Falls International Airport.

As your flight departs and the vast African landscapes fade into the distance, you’ll undoubtedly reflect on an incredible adventure. From the massive elephant herds of Chobe and the serene silence of the Okavango Delta to the majestic roar of Victoria Falls; you are heading home with a soul full of stories and a bag full of beautiful memories. Safe travels!