Your Botswana road trip starts in Maun. After the 4x4 handover, use the time to stock up for the days ahead.

The first night is at Discovery Bed & Breakfast, giving you a quiet start before the first proper 4x4 stage.

Leave Maun behind and drive into Moremi Game Reserve.

The drive to Xakanaxa Campsite is a long game drive in its own right. Third Bridge, Khwai and Maqwee are all possible alternatives.

Once camp is set up, head out again for another game drive if time and daylight allow.

Stay at Xakanaxa Campsite or one of the alternative camps.

The full day is open for game drives through Moremi. Lion, elephant, giraffe and impala are among the animals you may encounter.

An optional boat excursion in the Okavango Delta is also possible.

Another full day in Moremi Game Reserve.

Paradise Pool and Dead Tree Island are worth including in the route. The rest of the day is yours to decide where to drive and where to linger.

If you want to follow the 3 op Reis route as closely as possible, you can upgrade this night to Okuti Lodge instead of camping.

After three days in Moremi, return to Maun.

You stay at Okavango River Lodge before continuing to Ghanzi and the San the following day.

A scenic flight over the Okavango Delta is optional and not included.

Drive to Ghanzi today and stay at Palm Afrique.

The lodge supports the local community through employment. Activities connected to San culture are also available.

On the way, you can visit the Kuru Art project, where a craft shop sells handmade jewellery and souvenirs.

From Ghanzi, head east towards Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

You have three days to travel through this vast area and stay at three different locations. The first night is at Motopi Campsite.

The dark-maned Kalahari lion lives here. Brown hyena also occur in the reserve. Jackal, bat-eared fox and honey badger are seen regularly.

Gemsbok and springbok are two of the antelope species adapted to this dry landscape.

After Motopi, continue to Passarge Valley.

Following a morning game drive, move camp to the next campsite. Even the transfer counts as part of the game drive.

The reserve is vast, and you will come across relatively few other travellers.

Your third Kalahari day takes you to Deception Valley.

Choose the direct route or turn the drive into a longer game drive via Leopard Pan and Sunday Pan.

Reach Kori Campsite on the edge of Deception Valley in the early afternoon.

Start with a morning game drive if you choose, then leave Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

Continue to Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and Khumaga Campsite beside the Boteti River.

If you want to follow more of the 3 op Reis programme, Meno a Kwena can be booked as an upgrade.

Today the route crosses Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and continues into Nxai Pan National Park.

Your destination is Baines Baobabs Campsite. The group of baobabs takes its name from artist and explorer Thomas Baines.

Take one more early game drive in Nxai Pan National Park if you choose.

Then drive back to Maun. The first section runs over sandy roads, followed by tarmac.

Spend the afternoon at Okavango River Lodge and slow down after the days in the parks.

Take the final morning at an easy pace. Depending on your flight time, there is still time at the accommodation.

You can fly home in the early afternoon. You can also continue to another destination, such as Cape Town.

Botswana

Botswana 3 Op Reis Botswana Road Trip

13
days
from
1540
p.p.

This Botswana road trip follows the route taken by Chris Zegers and the team from 3 op Reis through Botswana. The difference? This time, you are the one driving it. In a 4x4, you travel through Moremi Game Reserve, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and Nxai Pan. You venture deep into the wilderness, camp among the wildlife and sit in the driver’s seat. Both literally and figuratively. Stay a little longer at that waterhole, choose a different track or continue to your next camp.

Not quite the trip you’re looking for? This trip can be fully tailored to your preferences.

Everything mapped out. The route remains yours.

During the first few days, you drive through Moremi Game Reserve, on the edge of the Okavango Delta. Here, every drive is also a game drive. Via Maun and Ghanzi, you leave the delta behind and head into the Kalahari. Three different camps give you plenty of time to explore the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The bush and sandy tracks then give way to the vast plains of Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan. From there, you return to Maun, where this road trip began. You can watch this journey on BNNVARA. Now make it your own memory.

The self-drive trip is available for 2 to 4 people per vehicle. For 5 people or more, the price is available on request and depends on local availability.

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13
days total
3
nights lodge/B&B
9
nights camping
13
days 4x4 rental
Travel pace:
Rustig
1
-
5
persons per car
From
1540
p.p.
This trip can be fully tailored to your preferences.

The route shown on TV does not have to be your route.

Stay longer in one place, add another destination or spend more nights in a lodge? You decide. Would you prefer to follow the route taken by ‘3 op Reis’ as closely as possible? Choose Okuti Lodge as an upgrade on day 4 and Meno a Kwena on day 10.

Everything that makes this trip unforgettable.

A journey filled with memorable stops.

The landscape keeps changing as you travel. From long days on the road through wide-open country to places where you park the 4x4 and lose track of time. Here’s how the journey unfolds day by day.

This trip is a starting point, not an endpoint.

Change a day or destination

Spend more time in one place, add a rest day or cover a little more ground. We adjust the route to suit your pace and the way you want to travel.

Choose a different 4x4

The right 4x4 depends on your route, who you’re travelling with and how much comfort you want along the way. Together, we’ll choose the vehicle that fits.

Add another country

Want to extend your trip into another country? We’ll look at the most practical route, border crossings and what works within the time you have.

Fully prepared, no surprises.

A self-drive trip calls for clarity. That is why we are as transparent as possible about what we arrange and what you bring yourself. Everything you need for a carefree trip is on board; the rest is for you to fill in according to your own taste.

  • Toyota Hilux or similar
  • All overnight stays listed in the quotation
  • Two authorised drivers
  • GPS with Tracks4Africa software
  • A clear Botswana map with detailed maps of the wildlife areas
  • Advice from experienced self-drive specialists
  • Airport transfers
  • Support
  • International flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Fuel
  • Meals and drinks
  • Upgrades to fixed accommodation
  • Upgrade to a Toyota Land Cruiser or 4x4 camper instead of a rooftop tent
  • Excess reduction insurance

Not quite what you’re looking for?

Every self-drive trip is a starting point, not an endpoint. You can adapt an existing trip or create your own with us. We’ll help you shape the route, choose the right 4x4, find places to stay and prepare for the journey, so everything fits the way you want to travel.

Frequently asked questions.

From driving a 4x4 to routes, preparation and sleeping along the way. Here you’ll find answers to the questions that often come up before you set off.

Can you visit Victoria Falls on a day trip from Botswana?

You can easily visit Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe on a day trip from Botswana. If you're staying near Kasane, it's a rewarding addition to your self-drive journey.

At Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River plunges over a wide cliff edge. Walking along the viewpoints, you'll experience the power of the falling water and the rising mist up close.

The trip involves crossing the border into Zimbabwe, so you'll need to allow for border formalities and may have to submit certain details online in advance.

We'll help you prepare for the crossing and can also arrange transport to Victoria Falls. That way, you can leave your 4x4 behind for the day and take your time exploring the falls.

Can you always drive across the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans?

The vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans offer a remarkable landscape to explore by 4x4. But crossing them isn't always possible. The ground needs to be completely dry and firm enough to drive on, and local advice must confirm that the route is safe to use.

Even when the surface looks dry, soft mud may still lie beneath the hard salt crust. That's why the season alone isn't enough to determine whether a crossing is safe.

We'll help you with detailed route maps, check whether your rental company permits the planned crossing and take local conditions into account.

If crossing the pans isn't advisable, we'll help you find an alternative way to experience this remarkable landscape.

Is wild camping allowed in Botswana?

In Botswana, you camp at designated campsites. Many of these are located deep in the wilderness, far from towns and main roads. Some campsites are unfenced, which means wildlife may move through the surrounding area.

That's part of what makes camping in Botswana so special. You'll hear the sounds of the bush and experience how the landscape changes as evening falls.

Camping in areas with wildlife does require care. Always follow the rangers' instructions and the campsite's safety guidelines.

We'll help you choose and book campsites that suit your route, so you can enjoy spending the night surrounded by nature, knowing what to expect.

Can Selfdrive4x4 book your campsites and arrange park access?

During your self-drive journey through Botswana, we'll arrange bookings at selected campsites along your route. This ensures your overnight stops fit the journey you're planning.

If we book your campsite in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, we'll also arrange and pay for the required park entry fees and permits associated with that stay.

Your travel itinerary will clearly show which campsite reservations, entry fees and permits are included. It will also explain what you need to arrange yourself or pay for locally.

That way, you'll know what's been taken care of before you set off and what to expect along the way.

Do you need sand-driving experience for Moremi and Savuti?

The deep sandy tracks of Moremi and Savuti require your full attention behind the wheel. Previous sand-driving experience isn't always necessary, but good preparation and confidence in your 4x4 make a real difference.

On some sections, you'll need to lower your tyre pressure to improve traction in the sand. We'll explain how to do this according to the rental company's guidelines and when to inflate your tyres back to the correct pressure.

Not every route is suitable for someone without off-road experience. That's why we consider your driving skills, travel season and current conditions before recommending a route.

That way, you'll know what to expect and can set off well prepared.

Do you need to book campsites and lodges in Botswana in advance?

It's wise to book your campsites and lodges in Botswana well before your trip. In wildlife areas such as Moremi, Savuti, Khwai and Chobe, camping spaces are limited. Popular locations are often fully booked months in advance.

These remote campsites are part of what makes a self-drive journey through Botswana so memorable. You'll spend the night surrounded by nature, sometimes with wildlife nearby. Planning ahead helps ensure you stay in places that fit your route.

Through our long-standing partnerships with local campsites, we secure availability in advance. This gives our travellers access to distinctive camping locations, even where spaces are limited.

We'll take care of the reservations and plan your route around the available overnight stops. That leaves you free to focus on the landscapes, wildlife and experience of driving through Botswana.

Which route is suitable for your first self-drive trip through Botswana?

Our 14-day Botswana self-drive trips are a good starting point for your first journey through the country. Over two weeks, you'll experience a variety of vast wildlife areas, distinctive landscapes and encounters with animals in the wild.

The route that suits you best depends partly on your 4x4 driving experience. Some sections involve deep sandy tracks and require more off-road driving skills than others.

We'll look at your experience, travel plans and preferred time of year together. That way, we can choose a route that suits you and help you prepare for the conditions along the way, including practical advice on driving through sand.

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Can you drive yourself through Botswana's national parks?

In Botswana, you can go on safari independently in a 4x4. In wildlife areas such as Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, Savuti, the Khwai region and the Central Kalahari, you'll follow unpaved tracks in search of wildlife in its natural habitat.

Driving conditions do require preparation. You may encounter deep sand, changing track conditions and, on some routes, water crossings. A suitable 4x4 is essential, along with a good understanding of off-road driving.

Self-driving gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace. You can stop when you spot wildlife and take your time observing the landscape, while staying on permitted tracks and following the rules of each wildlife area.

We'll help you plan your route, prepare for the journey and choose the right 4x4. We'll take your driving experience and the conditions along the way into account, so you know what to expect.

What is the best time of year for a self-drive trip through Botswana?

You can explore Botswana throughout the year. The landscape changes considerably with the seasons, and so does what you can expect along the way.

If wildlife viewing is a priority, May to October is often a good time for a self-drive journey. As the dry season progresses, animals gather more frequently around the remaining water sources, making them easier to observe during your drives through the national parks.

Temperatures vary considerably throughout this period. Nights can be cold in June, July and August, particularly if you're camping. By October, daytime temperatures can become very hot.

Water levels in the Okavango Delta are another important factor. Even during the dry season, high water levels can make certain tracks difficult or impossible to drive.

We'll plan your route around the season, current conditions and your 4x4 driving experience, so you have a clear idea of what to expect along the way.

Do you need a 4x4 to explore Botswana?

For a self-drive journey through Botswana's wildlife areas, a 4x4 is essential. Many of the places where you can see wildlife in its natural habitat are reached via deep sandy tracks and unpaved park roads.

In areas such as Moremi, Savuti, Chobe and the Central Kalahari, driving conditions can vary considerably. Soft sand, deep ruts and remote tracks require a suitable 4x4, proper preparation and some understanding of off-road driving.

A 4x4 allows you to explore these areas independently and travel at your own pace. Which routes are suitable depends on your driving experience and the conditions during your travel season.

We'll help you choose a suitable 4x4 and plan a route that matches your experience and travel plans.