Naledi 4×4

Day 2 : Khama Rhino Sanctuary to Makgadi-gadi pans, Kubu Island

Departure time : 10:00am
Distance : 260km
Accommodation : Camping
Included meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
4 x4 : Yes

This morning we will have a quick coffee and head out in search of some of the rhinos and other species that live in the park. Khama Rhino Sanctuary was established in 1992 and is one of the prime natural habitats that rhinos can be found. The success of this sanctuary is largely due to diligence, an in-depth understanding of conservation through awareness and tourism.
When we arrive back at our camp we will enjoy breakfast, pack up our camp and head deeper into the wilderness to our next camp. Kubu island.
Kubu island is situated in the Makgadigadi salt pans and is completely isolated from the rest of the world. The vast open space surrounding us feels surreal and the solidarity strangely soothing.
We should arrive at our camp around 15:30pm where we will relax and settle in for the night.
After tonight’s dinner we will step away from the fire to experience the awe inspiring African night sky. The tour name ( Botswana-naledi ) is named after this night, naledi being the local Tswana word for stars and in this place the stars will definitely take your breath away.

Day 3 : Kubu island to Planet Baobab

Departure time : 9:00am
Distance : 120km
Accommodation : Camping
Included meals : Breakfast and Lunch
4 x 4 : Yes

This morning we will travel the two-track roads towards the northern edge of the Makgadigadi salt pans. The track to our next camp will meander through the pans where we might see some of the interesting bird and mammal species that frequent this area.
We should arrive at “Planet Baobab” around midday where we will have the opportunity to enjoy the facilities at the lodge at leisure.
The lodge is situated amongst giant Baobab trees and offers facilities like wi-fi, a swimming pool, boma, a bar and a restaurant.

Day 4 : Planet Baobab to Maun

Departure time : 8:00am
Distance : 210km
Accommodation : Camping
Included meals : Breakfast and Dinner
4 x 4 : No

After breakfast this morning we will head towards Maun. We will arrive at Maun and have time to set up camp and enjoy a good lunch before we jump into a plane for an included scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.
This is a perfect opportunity to capture some aerial photo’s of this natural wonder. The birds eye view of the Okavango Delta will also give you some perspective of the days to come when will go into the delta to camp.
Once we get back to camp we will have time to relax and enjoy the camp facilities before we regroup and enjoy yet another good dinner. After we’ve filled our bellies we will discuss the next two days where we will be doing some wild camping in the Okavango Delta.

Day 5 : Maun to Okavango Delta

Departure time : 8:00am
Distance : 80km
Accommodation : *Wild Camping*
Included meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
4 x 4 : Yes

Today we wake up at sunrise and after breakfast we will transfer to another vehicle which will take us into the delta. There will be opportunity to stock up on some essentials in Maun before we head into the wilderness.
The Okavango Delta was named as one of the 7 Wonders of Africa in 2013 and spans over 2,2 million hectares. This diverse natural wonder will be ours to explore over the next two days and we will do this on foot and over water in traditional “Mokoro’s”.

Day 6 : Okavango Delta

Departure time : 7:00am
Distance : N/A
Accommodation : *Wild Camping*
Included meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
4 x 4 : No

After a light breakfast we set out for an early morning game walk. Here we will see the bush come alive as the animals all wake up and start their daily routines. The aim is not necessarily to see animals but to learn something more about the delta and the bush as we traverse the area on foot.
After our walk we will return to camp for a hearty breakfast and relax in the afternoon with a cooling swim in one of the surrounding natural pools near our camp. If we are lucky enough, we might even catch enough “Tilapia” fish to enjoy for dinner this night.

Day 7 : Okavango Delta to Maun

Departure time : 10:30am
Distance : N/A
Accommodation : Camping
Included meals : Breakfast and Lunch

Saying goodbye to the Delta this morning, we will jump back into the Mokoro’s and head out towards Maun. Along the way we will keep a keen lookout for elephants as well as hippo’s that frequent the canals as we gently cruise through the delta.
Once we get back to our camp in Maun we will have opportunity to relax before we regroup for dinner at the camp restaurant. Here we will meet our local Botswana guide who will be joining us inside the parks for the next leg of our journey.

Day 8 : Maun to Moremi

Departure time : 8:00am
Distance : 140km
Accommodation : Camping
Included meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
4 x 4 : Yes

Get ready for four days of serious wildlife viewing. Our time in the parks will leave everyone breathless as we explore these wilderness areas. 

After an early breakfast we pack up our camp and head towards Moremi National Park, a truly wild place with an abundance of wildlife. Our time inside the park will consist of extensive gamedrives and exploration. Many different species of mammals, reptiles and birds can be found in Moremi and the place is simply teeming with life.
The park forms part of the Okavango Delta and only about 30% of its 5000 square kilometres is mainland. Apart from the Mopane woodlands and Acacia forests, the bulk of this wonderful place consists of floodplains and lagoons.

This creates a haven for all living creatures to thrive in and, consequently one of the best areas to conduct gamedrives. 

We will be exploring the Moremi area extensively over these two days and marvel at the abundance of wildlife.

Day 9 : Moremi National Park

Departure time : N/A
Distance : N/A
Accommodation : Camping
Included meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
4 x 4 : Yes

After a quick coffee and rusks we head into the bush just after sunrise. Our day will be filled with exploration and gemeviewing whilst still allowing for some R&R either in the bush, at a picknick site or back at the camp.

The fauna and flora in Moremi is extremely diverse and there’s something magical about this wilderness which can only be understood by those who have dared to explore this area.

After lunch and a break from the midday heat, we will head out for another afternoon gamedrive and return to a burning campfire for dinner.

Day 10 : Moremi to Savuti

Departure time : 9:00am
Distance : 200km
Accommodation : Camping
Included meals : Brunch and Dinner
4 x 4 : Yes

Waking up early this morning we head out for an early gamedrive before we move on to Savuti. The distance we cover today is not that great, but the time it will take is a different story all together. We will no doubt be familiar with our vehicles 4 x 4 capabilities by this time and today we will use it extensively through thick sand and marsh areas enroute to Savuti.
Once we arrive, we will set up camp and unwind. Later this afternoon we will go out and explore the area where we will end the day with sundowners and the sounds of the African bush.

Day 11 : Savuti to Kasane via Chobe National Park

Departure time : 6:00am-6:30am
Distance : 170km
Accommodation : Camping
Included meals : Breakfast and Lunch
4 x 4 : Yes

An early start today. After a quick breakfast we head out towards Chobe National Park where we will spend the majority of the afternoon on gamedrive in search of more magnificent sightings. Chobe National Park has the highest concentration of African Elephants in the world but is by no means limited to just that. As with all the parks we visit on the tour, there is a vast variety of fauna and flora to be found in the park.
Once we exit the park we will head to camp and unwind before we embark (in true African style) on an included sunset boat cruise on the “Mighty Zambesi river”.
After dinner tonight, we will discuss the activities in and around Victoria Falls. There is a lot to do and we want to make sure you make the best of the available time you have there.

Day 12 : Kasane to Livingstone/Vic-Falls

Departure time : 8:30am
Distance : 100km
Accommodation : Lodge
Included meals : Breakfast
4 x 4 : No

After breakfast we will head into town for some last minute provisional shopping and change currency if need be. The drive to the border is only a few kilometres away and after that, the lodge is roughly one hour’s drive.
Once we reach our accommodation we will have a few moments to settle in to our lodgings before we get together to book all our chosen activities. Whether you are adventurous or even if you would just like to enjoy the culture of Vic-Falls, there is plenty to experience in this place.
We will regroup every evening to go out to dinner as a group at one of the local restaurants, and, if you are brave enough, enjoy the local cuisine of the “Shona” people.

Day 13 : Livingstone/Vic-Falls

Departure time : N/A
Distance : N/A
Accommodation : Lodge
Included meals : Breakfast

Today mostly everyone will be out and about doing various activities, we urge everyone to enjoy the activities thoroughly!
Dinner tonight will be at one of the many good restaurants in town where we will share our days stories around an ice cold beer.

Day 14 : Livingstone/Vic-Falls to Nata

Departure time : 10:00am
Distance : 330km
Accommodation : Camping
Included meals : Lunch and Dinner
4 x 4 : No

As we are nearing the end of our adventure, we start to travel southwards in the general direction of South Africa. Our journey has taken us through some of the best Botswana and nature has to offer. Our road does not end here as we will continue onwards to our next destination the following morning, Nata Lodge.

We should arrive at Nata Lodge around midday after which we will have an opportunity to enjoy the facilities they have to offer.

This afternoon we will head out to the Nata Bird Sanctuary in search of some of the rare species to be found here including the impressive Flamingo.

Day 15 : Nata to Tuli Block

Departure time : 8:00am
Distance : 500km
Accommodation : Camping
Included meals : Breakfast and Dinner
4 x 4 : No

Our journey today will end on the banks of the Limpopo River between huge Leadwood and Mashatu trees. This is the final night of our adventure and we finish our adventure with one last African campfire. Our journey has taken us from the hustle and bustle of the city, to the far reaches of the African bush and back.

Day 16 : Tuli Block to Johannesburg

Departure time : 7:00am
Distance : 520km
Accommodation : N/A
Included meals : Breakfast

And so the day of returning home has fallen upon us. Our tour has by now cemented life-long friendships and our thirst for adventure far from quenched.

Today we travel back to Gauteng in “proud” convoy for the last time but our memories of conquering Botswana will last each of our lifetimes and beyond.  

“Our roads might come to an end today, but our journey has only just begun.”