Departing late afternoon or early evening from your preferred airport in Europe or elsewhere for an overnight flight to South Africa.
Remark: Flights will be booked based on personal preferences including the selection of the departing city and the airline. At the time of publishing this itinerary, the best options are offered by Swiss and Ethiopian Airlines. On the 15th June 2021 return tickets in economy did cost around € 650 to 750
Remark: Travel documentation for European Citizens requires a valid passport. All tourism visas for both Botswana and South Africa are free of charge and obtained on arrival.
Remark: As for the Covid-19 situation, it is too early to say what the rules will be in November 2021 but one can assume that being vaccinated is an advantage while negative PCR tests no older than 72 hours will likely still be required.
Remark: At Inspiration Africa and eXplorAction we require all clients to be properly insured for travel assistance and we advise to also secure a travel cancellation insurance. Should you not be insured, please do note that we can do this for you and will gladly submit a quote.
6 October Airport [HEOC]
Arrival at Johannesburg International Airport .
Proceeding through border arrival formalities before collecting luggage and exiting the customs area of the airport.
At the exit we will be met by our local partner and assisted with collecting the self drive fully equipped 4x4 vehicles for the overland discovery of the larger Kalahari region across Botswana and South Africa.
Self-drive from the airport to the hotel - about 1 hour - and check-in then settle in the rooms on arrival, directly followed by a buffet lunch (included).
Afternoon at leisure to relax from the flights. A visit to the Cradle of Humankind Museum is planned and included. Time will also be planned to pack and organize the cars for the journey while some last minute shopping remains possible before the journey really begins.
Welcome dinner (included) at the Carnivore Restaurant ... an institution in Krugersdorp.
Overnight at the hotel in the region of Krugersdorp.
Remark: the itinerary is based on self-driving DBL Cab 4x4's which are fully geared and tuned for overland camping safaris. They include the tents and all the camping gear in addition to coolboxes, fridge, tools, second spare wheel and extended range fuel tanks. Obviously, each vehicle needs at least one driver. On the other hand, should you wish to share a vehicle with someone else, we will gladly try to arrange this. The vehicles used can comfortably fit up to 4 people on board. Should anyone travel with substantial camera equipment we recommend leaving a seat empty for this purpose.
Remark: as the name eXplorAction suggests, this itinerary will allow you to actively discover some of the unique off-the-beaten track regions of the Kalahari in Southern Africa! Accessible only by 4x4 to self-contained parties. Although escorted by our tour leader and assisted as needed depending on numbers participating, this itinerary is participatory when it comes to setting up or packing camp, or preparing the meals.
Remark: the purpose is to camp for most of the itinerary stages and the choice will be given - to be made in advance - to select either rooftop tents or larger ground tents. We do clearly recommend ground ones for comfort, space and for practical game viewing reasons.
Full English buffet breakfast at the hotel.
Check-out and depart on self-drive basis for a first liaison stage towards Kuruman. Day journey of about 500 km for about 5h30.
If interested, a short visit to the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens can be included before heading out West to the Kalahari. This is a beautiful place and well known for its birdlife.
Lunch in a restaurant en route.
Mid-afternoon arrival in Kuruman and check-in at the hotel. Time permitting, an optional walking visit of the Eye of Kuruman can be planned ... at least to stretch the legs after a day of driving.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Kuruman.
Full English buffet breakfast at the hotel.
Early morning departure for the Twee Rivieren located at the entrance to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Distance is about 390 km for about 4h30.
Check-in at the campsite upon arrival, followed by a picnic lunch.
After setting up camp, depart on a first game drive in the park along the Auob river bed in the directlion of Mata Mata. Return to camp by sunset in time for the traditional sundowners.
Campfire dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Remark: the word "game" refers to the wildlife in general while a game drive or a game walk relates respectively to the observation of the African wildlife from a vehicle or on foot.
Remark: the border crossing formalities will be done at Twee Rivieren. Technically the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a kind of no-man's land shared between Botswana and South Africa. Provided one clears the border formalities, one is free to exit the park into the other country!
Remark: difficult to guess what the rules of the Covid game will be in November 2021 but we guess that a PCR test will need to be taken in Kuruman or so in order to enter Botswana. Currently, they require a negative test that is maximum 48 hours old.
Remark: camping under canvas!!! While some offer rooftop tents, we will be using ground tents for the sherpa style. They are easy to pitch up and offer both lots of space for sleeping areas and storing bags. They are also large enough for you to stand up. They are perfectly safe when it comes to wildlife and our main motivation for use is that they can be left behind when heading out for a very early morning or late afternoon or evening night drive ... after all isn't this what we came for ... enjoying Africa's great wildlife at its best.
Early morning wake-up and depart for a game viewing safari in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Picnic breakfast at one of the picnic spots in the park like the one by Melkvlei or Dikbaardskolk.
Continuing the game drive towards Nossob Rest Camp to arrive in time for setting up camp followed by a picnic lunch.
In the afternoon, proceed for a game drive along the Nossob river bed going north from the camp.
Return in time for sunset followed by dinner and campsite overnight.
Depart very early morning on a game drive towards Union's End along the dry river bed of the Nossob River.
Picnic breakfast en route at Lijersdraai.
Continuing on game drive mode towards the northern end of the park at Union's End in time for a picnic lunch.
Backtracking gently along the Nossob dry river bed towards Nossob Rest Camp to return in time to prepare the vehicles for the following days drives. Quick outing before sunset into the park.
Campfire dinner and campsite overnight.
Today the serious driving in Wild Wild Africa starts!!!
Depart on an early morning game drive in the dry Nossob river bed before having breakfast at one of the picnic spots.
Thereafter we will cross the dry river bed into the Botswanean territory. This is as remote desert savannah as one can imagine! Deep sand. Very arid environment! And still wildlife has adpated to the harsh condition.
The 90 and odd kilometers to the Matopi campsites could take us up to 5 hours enjoying one of the greatest wildlife deserts in the world! Picnic for lunch en route.
Setting up camp upon arriving at Matopi ... for the first real camping night in deep Africa.
This is also the perfect place for a zen meditation session before the sun goes down! To be followed with the perfect G&T as dinner is being cooked over the campfire.
Overnight at Matopi's Campsite deep in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Remark: unfenced camping ... from this day onwards, none of the campsites will be fenced off and we will be just "one" with Africa's untamed wildlife. This is also big cat territory ... simply check the picture out that is attached to this itinerary under the document section ... even lions check the showers out!!!
Full campfire breakfast at the campsite before hitting the road - or is it the road that will hit us ??? - to the Mabuasehube Game Reserve.
Soon we will reach the eastern end of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park reaching the Mabuasehube region known for its multiple pans where permanent water is available. This makes the region extremely interesting and game drives will take us from one water hole to the next in search of amazing wildlife.
Picnic lunch and setting up camp upon arrival in Mabuasehube.
Afternoon dedicated to game viewing the various pans of the region.
Cooking and eating campfire dinner and overnight in the Mabuasehube.
Early morning wake-up and depart on a wildlife safari checking a couple of pans and waterholes out for Africa's amazing wildlife.
Return to the campsite in time for breakfast and folding up the tents.
Once ready we will slowly head out of the reserve - we will now officially be in Botswana!!!
Driving the 200 km road to Zutshwa will take us most of the day with a picnic lunch en route.
Setting up camp upon arrival before meeting with the local San community.
Escorted by our local San guides we will venture out to nearby pans for a sunset walk reading spoors and tracks, learning from our guides. Returning to camp after the sun has set doing a night drive on the journey.
Campfire dinner and overnight at Zutshwa.
Packing up camp after breakfast.
Departing the Kgalagadi region heading first to Kang and then going north to the Ghanzi region and the Hainaveld that borders the Central Kalahari. This 450 km should take about 5 hours to drive as most of the distance is tarred.
Picnic lunch en route.
Arrival at the lodge in the early afternoon and settle into your rooms.
The afternoon will be relaxed and dedicated to resourcing body and soul from the comfort of a very nice lodge. Late afternoon going out on a game drive and aiming at interacting with large cats.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Early morning depart on a San experience in the private reserve.
Breakfast upon return at the lodge.
Rest of the morning and early afternoon to relax, enjoying the lodges' comfort. Lunch will be served at the lodge.
Late afternoon driving out on a game drive in the private reserve.
Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Remark: Ghanzi will also mean that we will need to restock our fresh supplies for the Central Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Pans journey ahead. A small team will need to drive back and forth to Ghanzi for grocery shopping.
Early breakfast at the lodge before heading out to the next remote world safari experience: the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
Heading out early in order to reach the reserve by lunch time, entering through its western Xade gate.
From there we will head north into the reserve to visit those regions that the Owens wrote about in their "Cry of the Kalahari Book".
Setting up camp upon reaching Piper Pans before heading out for a late afternoon and sunset game drive.
Campfire dinner and overnight at Piper Pan.
Early morning game drive around Piper Pan before having breakfast and packing up camp.
Heading north along the road until reaching the famous Deception Valley at the pace of game driving in search for the unique wildlife of the Central Kalahari.
Picnic lunch en route.
Setting up camp upon arrival and proceeding for a late afternoon game observation drive.
Return to camp in time for sunset and enjoying a campfire dinner.
Campsite overnight in the Central Kalahari.
Early morning for a last game drive in the Central Kalahari.
Breakfast followed by packing up the camp before heading out of the reserve through the North-Eastern gate towards Rakops and then north to the Boteti River area of the Makgadikgadi Pans.
Arrival in time for a picnic lunch before setting up camp.
Water is the source of life and game drives along the Boteti River should be highly rewarding. If the rains have not come yet, the region will be scattered with zebras and a fair number of wildebeest as well before they set out for their migration to the great salt pans.
Afternoon game drive along the Boteti River with hopefully some water flowing for a change after the dry desert.
Campfire dinner and overnight at the Khumaga Campsite along the Boteti River.
Morning game drive along the Boteti River.
Breakfast at the camp before packing.
Today's route will depend on the rains in the region - if any - with the main idea being to simply catch up with the famous Nwetwe and Sua Pans which are a mere 50 km away. Thereafter it will be an open strech of close to 90 km of salt pan!!! Heading straight out to Kubu Island. Should the rains have come early the route might need to be altered to avoid getting stuck in the wet clay of the pans!!! This will be decided and adpated on the day as nobody can predict the weather.
Picnic en route.
Installation of the camp upon arrival at Kubu Island.
Afternoon dedicated to hiking around this amazing landscape of baobab trees, granite outcrops surrounded by immense salt pans! Pure magic and the perfect place for a sunset meditation and thereafter under the milky way.
Campfire dinner and campsite overnight at Kubu Island.
Full day to enjoy the magic of Kubu Island.
All meals at the campsite. Campsite overnight at Kubu Island.
Early breakfast at Kubu Island before packing up camp.
Depart south towards Orapa - the largest diamond mine in the region - and further towards the town of Serowe. From here on the roads will be tarred!!!
Visiting the Khama Rhino Reserve en route with our best chances to spot wild rhino on the journey. These gentle giants have almost been poached to extinction that it requires special reserves and protection for the surviving ones.
Picnic lunch at the rhino reserve.
Mid-afternoon check-in upon arrival in Serowe and settle into your rooms. Time to enjoy some modern comfort after all the overnight camping in the wild.
Read the tips about the itinerary as this stage is dependent on the border opening situation in Botswana which has proven to be rather conservative and making travel complicated ... so still a wait and see scenario.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Remark: depending on the need for PCR testing in November, Serowe or Orapa will be the place to do it. In which case we will head out to the testing center first and thereafter proceed to the visits and drives scheduled for the day.
Remark: depending on the Pont Drift border crossing being open or not (currently "covidly" closed) we might change the itinerary to include a 2 nights stay in the Tuli Block at a camp still to be decided. In which case the day's drive will be longer and mean an early departure.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Depart - with our negative PCR test results if still needed - toward the Martin's Drift border to return to South Africa. Today's road is about 430 km for a journey of a bit less than 5 hours in total.
Lunch at a restaurant in Vaalwater en route.
Continue to the final stage of the Kalahari discovery journey. Check-in and settle into your rooms.
Afternoon to enjoy the facilities of the lodge. Game driving is still available but there is also a very tempting swimming pool and a good spa!
Farewell dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Relax morning and breakfast at the lodge.
Depart after lunch towards Johannesburg Airport in time for returning the rental vehicles and checking in for the return flights.
Overnight flights back home.
Returning "home".
