5 days 4 nights
Daily Tour
6 people
English
This five-day Botswana desert safari offers a remarkable journey into some of the country’s most iconic and remote landscapes, blending adventure, wildlife encounters, and authentic desert experiences. Beginning in Maun, travelers are guided deep into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, where vast horizons, golden dunes, and open grasslands set the tone for a true wilderness adventure. Here, guests explore the desert on daily game drives, tracking black-maned lions, cheetahs, oryx, springbok, and other desert-adapted wildlife, while enjoying the peaceful rhythm of the Kalahari.
The journey continues north to Nxai Pan National Park, a landscape of striking white salt pans dotted with iconic Baines’ Baobabs. Guided drives across these open plains reveal large zebra herds, springbok, and elusive predators in their natural habitat. The safari culminates at the Makgadikgadi Pans, where guests experience the surreal salt flats on quad bikes and visit a habituated meerkat colony, finishing with the once-in-a-lifetime experience of sleeping under the stars on the desert expanse.
This midrange safari balances adventure with comfort, featuring well-equipped camps, knowledgeable guides, and daily wildlife-focused activities. Ideal for travelers seeking immersive, authentic Botswana experiences without luxury premiums, it offers a unique combination of remote desert beauty, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and the serene tranquility of Africa’s untouched landscapes.
Arrive in Maun and meet your safari guide for a scenic drive into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana’s iconic desert wilderness. Stop along the way to stretch and take in the vast open landscapes, dotted with acacia trees and golden dunes.
After checking into your camp, enjoy lunch with views of the surrounding desert. In the late afternoon, head out on your first game drive, spotting oryx, springbok, and maybe even elusive predators in the warm, golden light. Return to camp for a shared dinner around the fire, and fall asleep under the clear Kalahari sky.
Accommodation: Kalahari Plains Camp
Wake early to enjoy the desert at its quietest, sipping coffee before a morning game drive across open plains. Search for black-maned Kalahari lions, cheetahs, and desert antelope, guided by your experienced ranger who shares insights on tracking and wildlife behavior.
Return to camp mid-morning for breakfast and a short rest, then spend the midday relaxing or exploring the nearby surroundings on foot with your guide. In the afternoon, go on a second game drive, focusing on different areas to see how wildlife shifts with the heat.
Dinner is at the camp, followed by optional stargazing in the famously dark desert skies
After breakfast, drive north to Nxai Pan National Park, where the landscape opens into vast white salt pans dotted with baobab trees. Check into a comfortable your camp and enjoy lunch before heading out on an afternoon game drive. Nxai Pan is famous for zebra herds, springbok, and desert-adapted lions.
Pause at the iconic Baines’ Baobabs for photos and a chance to stretch legs. Return to camp at sunset for a relaxed dinner, sharing stories of the day’s sightings.
Accommodation: Nxai Pan Bush Camp
Begin the morning with a short game drive in Nxai Pan before heading toward the Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the most surreal landscapes in Africa. Upon arrival, collect your quad bikes for an exciting ride across the salt flats, exploring this vast, shimmering terrain.
Visit a habituated meerkat colony, watching these playful creatures up close. Continue to a basic but comfortable desert camp at the edge of the pans. Tonight, sleep under the stars—an unforgettable, budget-friendly wilderness experience.
Accommodation: Makgadikgadi Desert Camp
Wake early to watch the sunrise over the white salt pans, a truly magical desert moment. Enjoy breakfast at the camp before riding your quad bike back to the vehicle. On the drive back to Maun, enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the desert scenery.
Arrive in Maun in the afternoon for drop-off at your hotel or the airport, concluding your Kalahari & Makgadikgadi adventure with memories of sweeping landscapes, wildlife encounters, and authentic desert experiences.
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