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18 to 35s Essential Botswana

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18 to 35s Essential Botswana

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Description

Time to break out your best Attenborough impression – you’re going on safari with a small group of legends! This nine-day trip doesn’t skimp on the savanna, but it mainly follows the rivers and watering holes that sustain life (human and wild) throughout Africa. Learn about the world’s largest succulents when you see baobabs during a 4WD adventure to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, where you’ll camp overnight. Plus, see elephants and warthogs while you cruise down the Okavango Delta in a dugout mokoro canoe. How many species can you spot on a search for wildlife in Chobe National Park?

Trip Name
18 to 35s Essential Botswana
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
9
Capacity
22
Highlights
  • Spend a day exploring the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans – some of the largest salt pans on earth – on a 4WD adventure. Get up close with the iconic baobab trees, then have a bush dinner and drift to sleep under a starry sky.
  • Cruise through wildlife-filled waterways – there's nothing more relaxing than feeling the African sun on your face as you lie back in a mokoro with your eyes closed, while your expert poler propels you through the Okavango Delta.
  • Safari through Chobe National Park for a chance to see lions, elephants, zebras, impalas, wildebeest, giraffes, leopards, hyenas, jackals, warthogs, baboons, monkeys and much more.
  • Take a sunset 4WD ride through the Khama Rhino Sanctuary – did you know that rhinos come out to play when the sun goes down?
  • Try and tell the difference between your fellow travellers’ snores and the sounds of wild hippos while camping in the heart of the Okavango wilderness under a brilliant night sky.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk., ROAD CONDITIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN AFRICA: Roads in Africa are often in very poor condition, which makes it hard on our vehicles. Our vehicles are serviced regularly and are generally in good condition, but breakdowns can and do happen. Sometimes the going on this trip is quite tough, the distances covered fairly large and some of the roads and tracks are not exactly smooth or free from dust, but the rewards are exceptional. The travelling times indicated in our Essential Trip Information is just a rough guide and is dependent on various factors that may be outside our control, such as road conditions, weather and time spent at borders. DRIVE TIMES: The travel times listed in the day to day itinerary are a guide only. Please be aware that delays may occur and please be patient - it's all part of the experience afterall! Additionally, the travel times do not include time spent on game drives as these can vary with each departure.

Day 1 - Johannesburg
Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Touch down in Jo’burg (as the locals like to call it) where your adventure begins, ready for your welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe visit the Apartheid Museum to start your journey with some local history, crucial in understanding this region. After your meeting, why not head out for a group dinner and get to know your fellow travellers. Your leader can point you in the right direction if you’re looking for local bars and restaurant recommendations.
Day 2 - Khama Rhino Sanctuary
See ya South Africa – this morning, you’ll cross the border into Botswana and travel to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. It sits on the Kalahari Desert and is an old hunting area transformed into a conservation project. It now protects what’s left of Botswana's black and white rhino populations, but you can also see zebras, giraffes, leopards, ostriches and wildebeest, all of which chill out around the natural waterholes. Not only do you get to check out the animals here, but you’ll also be benefitting local communities and helping protect the white rhino. When the sun begins to set, hop in a jeep to see the rhinos at their most active. About 35 rhinos roam around this 400-hectare community-based reserve, so don’t forget your binoculars!
Day 3 - Maun
Get up nice and early and drive to Maun. When you arrive, you’ll have the chance to stock up on any supplies you might need for the journey ahead. This town is the gateway to one of the world's most renowned and complex ecosystems – the Okavango Delta, a 16,000-sq-km maze of wetlands made up of waterways, green islands, lush plains and loads of wildlife. You might see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and big cats within the diverse ecosystem here. Tonight, you'll camp on the outskirts of Maun.
Day 4 - Okavango Delta
Make your way to the north to the Okavango Delta. Leave the truck and jump aboard a traditional mokoro – a dugout canoe steered by friendly local 'polers' – to reach your campsite in the bush. Your accommodation for the next two nights is on a remote island right in the heart of the wilderness. When you arrive, set up camp, take in the incredible views of the Delta and relax on the edge of the water for the rest of the afternoon. While you’re here, there’s the option to go on a bush walk where you might catch a glimpse of some of the wildlife including elephants and Cape buffalo. Get to know your mokoro polers and maybe even have a go at navigating a mokoro yourself! Tonight, watch as the sunset turns into a brilliant sky full of stars, far away from any light pollution. Then, fall asleep to the sounds of the wilderness.
Day 5 - Okavango Delta
Today, you get to paddle the mighty Delta. There's nothing more relaxing than feeling the African sun on your face as you lie back in a mokoro, while your expert poler propels you down calm waters through papyrus and reed beds to lily-covered lagoons. Watch out for elephants, lechwe, warthogs and sitatunga on a quick bush walk, then stop at one of the islands for a swim before returning to camp. If you are interested in the culinary side of Southern Africa, feel free to join your cook for a cooking class while they prepare tonight's meal.
Day 6 - Gweta - Makgadikgadi Pan
Wake up to the sounds of the Delta this morning, then drive to Gweta – a small town sitting near the stunning Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, which are some of the largest on earth, covering around 12,000 sq km (4640 sq mi). When you arrive, have lunch and freshen up, then head out on a 4WD adventure. First, you’ll make the scenic drive towards the salt pans, taking in the scenery from your open vehicle. Along the way, you’ll make a stop to learn about the iconic baobab trees that scatter the landscape and see the trees up close. After, continue towards the salt pans, where you’ll stop for sundowners as you watch the sky change colours over the vast landscape. Join your group for dinner under the open sky tonight. Do some stargazing and spend the night camped in this remote landscape, soaking up the stillness.
Day 7 - Chobe National Park
Have breakfast at your camp this morning, then pack up and drive back to Gweta. You’ll have some time to freshen up in Gweta, then hit the road again for the drive to Chobe National Park. Make sure you’ve got some good tunes or a book ready for the drive. You have a free evening to relax at your camp.
Day 8 - Chobe National Park
Head out on a safari in Chobe National Park this morning. There's a huge range of wildlife here, all packed into one tiny area, making it unlike anywhere else in the world! Huge herds of buffalo and elephants are often seen roaming around the savanna, matched by the size of the local lion prides. An estimated 70,000 Kalahari elephants roam the park, too – these amazing beasts are the largest known subspecies of elephant in the world. You might also see zebras, impalas, wildebeest, giraffes, lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, warthogs, baboons, monkeys and heaps of birds. Tonight, you’ll have free time to either rest or jump into some optional activities, like a sunset safari or river cruise.
Day 9 - Victoria Falls
Today you’ll travel to the town of Victoria Falls. Cross the border into Zimbabwe and arrive in the early afternoon. Before your trip officially ends, your leader will take you on a quick orientation walk through town. There’s so much to discover in Victoria Falls, so it's highly recommended you stay a few extra days. If you'd like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
17-10-202625-10-2026AUD $ 2,170-
07-11-202615-11-2026AUD $ 1,796-
21-11-202629-11-2026AUD $ 1,576-
12-12-202620-12-2026AUD $ 1,658-
09-01-202717-01-2027AUD $ 2,045-
20-02-202728-02-2027AUD $ 2,045-
20-03-202728-03-2027AUD $ 2,045-
03-04-202711-04-2027AUD $ 2,045-
17-04-202725-04-2027AUD $ 2,045-
01-05-202709-05-2027AUD $ 2,165-
15-05-202723-05-2027AUD $ 2,165-
05-06-202713-06-2027AUD $ 2,045-
19-06-202727-06-2027AUD $ 2,045-
03-07-202711-07-2027AUD $ 2,105-
17-07-202725-07-2027AUD $ 2,105-
31-07-202708-08-2027AUD $ 2,210-
07-08-202715-08-2027AUD $ 2,165-
21-08-202729-08-2027AUD $ 2,165-
04-09-202712-09-2027AUD $ 2,165-
11-09-202719-09-2027AUD $ 2,240-
18-09-202726-09-2027AUD $ 2,210-
02-10-202710-10-2027AUD $ 2,105-
16-10-202724-10-2027AUD $ 2,105-
06-11-202714-11-2027AUD $ 2,045-
20-11-202728-11-2027AUD $ 2,045-
11-12-202719-12-2027AUD $ 2,045-
08-01-202816-01-2028AUD $ 2,145-
19-02-202827-02-2028AUD $ 2,145-
18-03-202826-03-2028AUD $ 2,145-
01-04-202809-04-2028AUD $ 2,145-
15-04-202823-04-2028AUD $ 2,210-
29-04-202807-05-2028AUD $ 2,275-
06-05-202814-05-2028AUD $ 2,045-
20-05-202828-05-2028AUD $ 2,275-
03-06-202811-06-2028AUD $ 2,210-
17-06-202825-06-2028AUD $ 2,275-
01-07-202809-07-2028AUD $ 2,320-
15-07-202823-07-2028AUD $ 2,320-
29-07-202806-08-2028AUD $ 2,275-
05-08-202813-08-2028AUD $ 2,275-
19-08-202827-08-2028AUD $ 2,275-
02-09-202810-09-2028AUD $ 2,320-
09-09-202817-09-2028AUD $ 2,320-
16-09-202824-09-2028AUD $ 2,320-
07-10-202815-10-2028AUD $ 2,275-
21-10-202829-10-2028AUD $ 2,210-
04-11-202812-11-2028AUD $ 2,145-
18-11-202826-11-2028AUD $ 2,145-
16-12-202824-12-2028AUD $ 2,145-

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (4 nights), Bush camp (no facilities) (3 nights), Hotel (1 night)

Transport

Overland vehicle, 4WD safari vehicle, Mokoro

Map