Your journey starts in Johannesburg. Arrival time depends on your flight. The KLM service arrives in the evening, while other airlines often fly overnight and arrive in the morning of day one.

If you arrive with KLM, you stay at Sunrock Guest House. For a morning arrival Country Park is another option.

Today you drive to Marakele National Park.

You arrive during the morning. The afternoon gives you time to explore the park in your 4x4.

You stay at Bontle Campsite.

A full day in Marakele National Park.

Head out on game drives, keep part of the day slow at camp and finish with sunset and a braai.

You stay again at Bontle Campsite.

Today you cross the border into Botswana. This is a longer driving day.

Your destination is Goo-Moremi Gorge, a deep gorge surrounded by hills, cliffs and waterfalls. Gemsbok, kudu and several bird species can be seen here.

You stay at the campsite of Goo-Moremi Gorge Resort.

Use the morning for another activity at Goo-Moremi Gorge if you choose.

Then continue to Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Depending on your departure time, you arrive during the afternoon.

It is a fine place to see rhino on a game drive. A hide beside one of the waterholes is another fine place to wait for wildlife.

You stay at Khama Rhino Sanctuary Campsite.

Kubu Island in the Makgadikgadi salt pans is today’s destination.

The route starts on tarmac and gravel before changing into a proper 4x4 track across sections of the pans.

After several cattle fences, Kubu Island eventually appears on the horizon.

The campsite is simple and lies close to the island. Explore Kubu Island on foot and finish the day looking out across the open pan.

Today the route crosses Ntwetwe Pan.

It is one of the standout 4x4 stretches of the Botswana journey. After the dusty drive, you reach Planet Baobab in Gweta.

Spend the afternoon in Gweta or slow down by the pool.

Today’s drive is shorter.

After six nights of camping, you return to fixed accommodation. Maun is also a practical stop for supplies and diesel before entering the wildlife areas.

You stay at Discovery B&B.

After the morning in Maun, continue to Moremi Game Reserve.

Third Bridge on the edge of the Okavango Delta is your destination. Once you cross the Buffalo Fence, the day turns into a game drive.

Lion, hyena, leopard, elephant and antelope are among the animals you may encounter.

Campsites inside Botswana’s parks are unfenced, so wildlife can move through camp by day and night.

You stay at Third Bridge Campsite.

The route from Third Bridge to Khwai is already one long game drive.

It is worth starting early. Reach North Gate and Khwai Campsite in the afternoon.

Once camp is set up, slow down or head out for an evening game drive along the Khwai River.

You stay at Khwai North Gate Campsite.

From Moremi, continue north deep into Chobe National Park.

The sandy tracks give the 4x4 a clear role. Reach Savuti during the afternoon.

This part of Chobe is known for bull elephants and the Savuti Pride around Savuti Marsh. The Savuti Channel runs through the area and into the marsh.

There is still time for an extended afternoon game drive.

You stay at Savuti Campsite.

Today follows a rough sandy drive to Ihaha on the Chobe River.

You can add another morning game drive before leaving.

Along the river, antelope are joined by possible sightings of lion, elephant and buffalo.

You stay at Ihaha Campsite.

Kasane on the Chobe River is the next stop.

Drive east along the river. Wildlife may appear beside the road, and elephants are regularly seen around the waterholes.

You reach Chobe Safari Lodge later in the day. A sunset cruise on the Chobe River is possible.

You stay at Chobe Safari Lodge Campsite.

The 4x4 section ends today.

Return the vehicle to the rental company in the morning and continue into Zimbabwe.

You reach your hotel in Victoria Falls around midday.

You stay at Bayete Guest Lodge.

Livingstone in Zambia works as an alternative endpoint.

A full day in Victoria Falls and a second night at Bayete Guest Lodge.

Stay at the hotel, join an excursion, raft the Zambezi or visit Victoria Falls.

The final day of the journey.

During the morning, you are transferred from the hotel to the airport for your flight home.

South Africa
Botswana
Zimbabwe

South Africa, Botswana and Victoria Falls Self-Drive

16
days
from
1780
p.p.

Start at a relaxed pace in South Africa, travel deeper into the bush and finish at Victoria Falls. The driving changes along the way too. Tarmac and gravel give way to salt pans, sandy tracks and game drives through Moremi and Chobe. There, you drive from camp to camp, with zebras, rhinos and ostriches beside and sometimes right in the middle of the route. Your 4x4 does not take you to the safari. You are already in the middle of it.

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

South Africa, Botswana and Victoria Falls Self-Drive

South Africa
Botswana
Zimbabwe
from
1780
p.p.
16
days
Request a quote
Request information
This trip can be fully tailored to your preferences.
SummaryHighlightsItineraryWhat's includedPhoto gallery Reviews

Everything mapped out. The route remains yours.

From Johannesburg, you first drive to Marakele before crossing the border into Botswana via Goo-Moremi Gorge. The wildlife section begins at Khama Rhino Sanctuary, after which the route continues towards the salt pans and Kubu Island. Via Gweta, you reach Maun. Here, you refuel and stock up one last time before heading into Moremi and Chobe. Third Bridge, Khwai, Savuti and Ihaha follow, with sandy tracks, waterholes and campsites surrounded by wildlife. In Kasane, you return the 4x4. You spend the final two nights in a lodge near Victoria Falls.

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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16
days total
4
nights lodge/B&B
11
nights camping
14
days 4x4 rental
Travel pace:
Rustig
1
-
5
persons per car
From
1780
p.p.
This trip can be fully tailored to your preferences.

Another combination is possible too.

Would you prefer to spend longer in the bush or reach Victoria Falls sooner? This route can be fully tailored to your wishes. Stay longer somewhere, add another stop or include more lodge stays. We are happy to help you shape the journey.

Everything that makes this trip unforgettable.

Gweta

With a full tank and supplies stocked, you set off towards the vast Makgadikgadi salt pans or Kubu Island. Once Gweta is behind you, the African village gives way to endless open plains. Will you continue on your own, travel with a guide or choose a quad-bike tour?

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Chobe National Park

Savuti inland. The Chobe River in the north. Between them, you drive through a wildlife park where elephants can unexpectedly stop you in your tracks. Explore Chobe from your 4x4 or board a boat and experience the park from the water.

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Maun

A practical stop to refuel and stock up on supplies before heading into the Okavango Delta. Take a boat safari, see the delta from the air on a scenic flight or head out on a walking safari.

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Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Spotting rhinos from your own 4x4? At Khama Rhino Sanctuary, you have a good chance. Drive past the waterholes or park at a hide and wait quietly to see what comes to drink. A wonderful first introduction to Botswana’s wildlife.

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Marakele National Park

Mountain slopes, deep valleys and wildlife along the route. In Marakele, you drive among elephants, rhinos and other wildlife. Here, a game drive is not only about looking around, but also about looking up: hundreds of Cape vultures circle above the mountain peaks.

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Kasane

With Chobe National Park, the Chobe River and Victoria Falls nearby, there is plenty to experience. Choose a game drive, boat safari or sunset cruise and decide for yourself how to spend your days. Keep your eyes open along the way: wildlife can appear in and around Kasane when you least expect it.

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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.

Get in touch

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
  • Clear maps of South Africa and Botswana
  • 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.

Get in touch

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