Botswana Loop & Caprivi Self–Drive

13 Day Self Drive Safari

Safari Description:

This self–drive starts in Botswana. Starting and ending in Maun and travelling in a circuit and taking in Namibia’s Caprivi area. Start heading east to the seemingly endless Pans and starry skies, then onto Chobe where elephants abound. Cross into Namibia and travel through woodlands and enjoy Bwabwata National Park along with river areas before returning to Botswana. Fly from Maun into the incredible Okavango Delta, where the weaving waterways cast a magical spell and the game viewing is world–class. Accommodation and camping options available.

Safari Highlights:

Makgadikgadi Pans with overnight sleep out on pans and visit to meerkats included; Chobe National Park renowned for huge elephant herds; West & East Caprivi in Namibia for diversity; Okavango Delta fly–in experience and mokoro excursions

Main Attractions:

Botswana: Chobe
Namibia: Zambezi Region

Map & Short Itinerary:

Camping

Day 1 Thamalakane Lodge  Maun
Day 2&3 Planet Baobab campsite for Pans
Day 4&5 Chobe Safari Lodge & Campsite Kasane
Day 5 Camp Kwando East Caprivi
Day 6 Nunda River Lodge & Campsite West Caprivi
Day 7 Thamalakane Lodge Maun
Day 8–10 Moremi Crossing Okavango Delta
Day 11 Return to Maun

Map & Itinerary
Accommodated

Day 1 Thamalakane Lodge Maun
Day 2&3 Planet Baobab for Pans
Day 4&5 Chobe Bush Lodge Kasane
Day 5 Camp Kwando East Caprivi
Day 6 Nunda River Lodge West Caprivi
Day 7 Thamalakane Lodge Maun
Day 8–10 Moremi Crossing Okavango Delta
Day 11 Return to Maun

Map & Itinerary
Length 13 days
Safari Type Self Drive Safari
Price From NAD 7555
Countries Botswana, Namibia
Accommodation Accommodation, Camping
Group Size Minimum 1 people
Single Supplement Yes
Please Note Subject to availability of accommodation
Departures On Request

Comfort Level:

How we rate comfort
Accommodation Comfort3 Star4 Star
Camping Comfort1 Star
Enquire Now

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1 Thamalakane Lodge, Maun

Upon arrival at the airport collect your rental vehicle and drive to Thamalakane Lodge located on the banks of the Thamalakane River, just 19kms from the town and en route to the famous Moremi Game Reserve.

Day 2&3 Planet Baobab, Makgadikgadi Pans , Gweta includes Ntwetwe Pan

Your destination today is Planet Baobab; this unique and funky camp borders the extensive Makgadikgadi Pans system. The pans are the remnants of the once great Lake Makgadikgadi, when thousands of years ago was up to 80,000sq kms and 30m deep and was the largest inland sea in Africa. It has long since dried and your time here includes dinner in the lodge on the first night and a village tour. During your stay enjoy a visit to the pans on a quad bike as well as see the wonderfully entertaining meerkats – famous from the Meerkat Manor TV show and overnight stay under the starry skies. A wonderful opportunity to experience the stark and vast salt pans stretching endlessly around you

Day 4–6 Chobe Safari Lodge /Chobe Bush Lodge, Kasane

Return to Planet Baobab for breakfast before continuing through to Kasane, where you will be based for the next 3nights. The lodge is situated on the river and adjacent to the park, here you can enjoy optional activities such as a boat cruise or game drive into the park to search for wildlife such as hippo, crocodiles and huge elephant herds, Chobe has one of the largest amounts of elephant to any park in Southern Africa and if you are lucky then you can see them bathing and crossing the river.

Day 7 Camp Kwando, east Caprivi, Namibia

Cross the border into Namibia and onto Camp Kwando, situated on the banks of the Kwando River and is the perfect base to explore Mudumu and Mamili National Park, join an optional boat cruise or simply relax on the wooden deck sipping on a sun–downer drink and listening to the haunting call of the fish eagle

Day 8 Nunda River Lodge, west Caprivi, Namibia

Drive through the Caprivi Strip and Bwabwata Game Reserve today, keeping your eyes open for animals such as elephants that may cross your path.

Day 10 Thamalakane Lodge, Maun, Botswana

Today cross the border back into Botswana and drive along following the trace of the river through the Okavango Panhandle, passing through small villages as you head to Maun.

Day 11–12 Moremi Crossing, Okavango Delta, Botswana

A leisurely morning before driving to the airport to drop off your rental vehicle and board a chartered seat rate flight to Moremi Crossing, where you will be able to see some of Africa’s most celebrated animals from a bird’s eye view 500 FT above the ground. The Okavango is an immense river that never meets the sea. Instead, its crystal–clear waters spread across the Kalahari Desert, forming Africa’s largest wetland wonder – experience the tranquil waterways from a mokoro watching out for all creatures great and small, from large water–loving antelope such as lechwe, to tiny emerald coloured frogs found on the papyrus reeds

For some great reading – this is a beautiful coffee table book on the Okavango Delta

Day 13 Maun/Departure

Fly back to Maun in time for your onward connection.

How we rate our safaris

Namibia, Botswana and some other African destinations do not have a set star system that is familiar worldwide to many countries, however, as this is widely used, we have tried to replicate this format to give you an idea of the level of comfort during your safari. For example, a mobile camping tour in Namibia is given 1* and luxury accommodation increasing to 5*. Depending on your tour, there may be a bit of a mix of levels of comfort so please check if you are not sure.

1* or 1–2* Rated Safaris – Camping tours:

These are generally scheduled/small group or self–drive safaris (though a private–guided safari can also fall into this category if you wish to camp); the scheduled trips generally involve client participation where you may be expected to put up/take down your tent and assist with camp chores, dome tents and a ground mattress is supplied. For self–drive options this will often mean roof tents on the vehicle and all camping equipment. There may be the occasional night in simple accommodation but majority of nights are spent camping and most camp sites will have shared ablution facilities. If there is a good mix of both camping and accommodation, this may be rated at 1&2*. These are the most basic level of safaris offered and scheduled safari group sizes vary according to the trip and company – 1* tours are the most affordable option and geared for adventurous travellers who do not mind a bit of discomfort.

Accommodated Safaris

Standard/Mid–range safaris 2–3.5*

Standard accommodation style trips generally have no camping included (though on occasion with a specific activity such as a Delta or Serengeti excursion, or perhaps hiking, a couple of nights may be included). As a general rule this is not the case. With most small group/scheduled tours accommodation is generally 2/3* level – clean and affordable but generally without too many frills; rooms will have en–suite facilities, most will offer air con/fans in the rooms, swimming pools etc (not guaranteed), restaurant/bar facilities, though location can be a little further away from main place of interest this option offers excellent value for money for those seeking a bed each night! We try to indicate on each trip the level of comfort for the particular tour

Superior/Luxury Safaris 3.5–5*

A superior style of accommodation. Most lodges at this level will have air–conditioning or fans in the room though some accommodation establishments are technically “camps” as they may be partially build of canvas – these “camps” are permanent fixtures, generally built on a platform, and will have full and comfortable facilities – the occasional trip may have a more basic night or two involved depending on location to ensure clients can fully appreciate the region they are experiencing. Service is generally very good and most places (outside of towns/cities) will have just a few rooms/chalets. Tours in this bracket include very small group safaris (up to 8 clients), self–drive and private–guided options which are tailored to suit you. The luxury options offer a high standard of accommodation, facilities and service in the region with attention to detail – some “camps” /lodges will have private guides and vehicles, but all accommodation is the best available with personalized service and a quality or unique experience perhaps unavailable elsewhere or in a more moderate price bracket. Tours include fly–in safaris, self–drive and private–guided options.

Please note: this is a guideline only and each destination can vary – some areas in Southern Africa do not always have 5* accommodation (there are limited hotels outside of cities that have the same * grading accommodation) but will be best in the area, have limited volume of rooms and some of the best locations and experiences for clients that is outside of the normal “tourist/travel” route. This can include exclusive conservation regions and emphasis is place on clients having a unique experience rather than offering hairdresser type of facilities that may be found is hotels in cities in other countries. Please also remember that some of these locations can be remote so wifi may not always be available, nor a huge menu range.

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Contact Information

Tel: +264 61 309387
Email: info@chameleon-holidays.com

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday
08.00 – 17.00
Saturday
08.00 – 13.00
Sunday & Public Holidays
Closed

Address

7 Voigt St,  Windhoek