Without question, an adventure of a lifetime. Explore one of the most magical wilderness areas in the world from the freedom of your own vehicle. Enjoy a combination of incredible game viewing, comfortable camping, knowledge and expertise from a legendary host and rooftop sleeping staring up at the African skies whilst listening to the sounds of the bush – a recipe for a truly great experience.
Moremi and Khwai change hugely through the seasons, however what does not change is the diversity and quality of game viewing. Water is the source of all life, and the key to unlocking the behaviours and patterns of the wildlife in the region, often driving wildlife together and triggering interactions, be it predator/prey or predator/predator. This trip gives a unique insight into the lives of the wildlife and also presents a rare opportunity to encounter some less-seen nocturnal species like genet, civet and honey badgers, who sometimes visit the camps of the region.
Graham and Steve look forward to welcoming you and giving you an insight into this magical land, where adrenaline and adventure go hand in hand with nature, serenity and tranquility.
Key features:
- 12 day trip
- Hosted by expert
- All-inclusive
- Small group (c. 6 people)
- Authentic wild camping experience
- Big Five game area
- Photographic safari
- Major game diversity
- Self-drive – modern, comfortable vehicles and camping equipment
- Full camp kitchen, roof and ground tents, beds and bedding etc
- Inter-vehicle radio comms
- Over 12s only
- Mokoro trips (water level dependent)
What’s included:
- International return flights from Heathrow to Joburg
- Local return flights to Maun
- Return road transfer to collect vehicles
- All activities
- A tailor-made itinerary for your self-drive safari
- All accommodation, meals and camping
- A fully-equipped Safari Drive vehicle
- A full tank of fuel
- Botswana Park Fees
- Satellite telephone
- Garmin Nuvi Sat Nav and Tracks4Africa
- Flying Doctor membership
- Fully comprehensive insurance
- All taxes
- All beverages (excludes premium champagne and wines)
- Wild Insight North Face base camp duffel bag
- Wild Insight safari shirt
- Wild Insight soft shell gilet
Not included:
- Tips
- Personal items (souvenirs, insurance etc)
- Connecting flights within UK to Heathrow
Itinerary
Day 1 – Overnight flight
Board your overnight flight at Heathrow and put your feet up ahead of the big adventure.
Day 2 – Maun
Arrive early into JNB and transfer onto your connecting flight to Maun, where you will be met by your hosts and transferred to collect your vehicles. Here, paperwork will be completed with our vehicle partner, who will need to take a credit card deposit authorisation. There will also be a run-through of the equipment and functions of the vehicles. In total, please expect this to take up to 2 hours.
After this, there will be a last brief opportunity to collect any final supplies in Maun before heading in convoy to our accommodation for the night. The accommodation is situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River, just a few kilometres from Maun.
Here you can refresh and relax for the rest of the day (make the most of Wi-Fi as it will be the last time you have connection with the outside world for a few days!). The site has a lovely pool, nice views and great bird life and the accommodation is very pretty and comfortable.
At the Thamalakane River site we will enjoy dinner and drinks and get to know each other. In addition, your hosts can answer any questions you may have before you get an early night.
Day 3 – Moremi South Gate
We will awake early and have breakfast, before departing around 7.30/8am for the approximately 3-hour drive to Moremi. This journey will take you on the main road for around 1.5 hours, before turning off on the route toward the park gate. Keep an eye out for game as we move along the track, as animals frequent the area.
On arrival at the gate we will sign in to the park and pull into the shady campsite for lunch amongst the Mopane woodland. We will then have a safety briefing.
Mid-afternoon we will set out on a game drive in search of wildlife, likely exploring great game areas like Black Pools, well known for huge flocks of birds and a mass of game. Black Pools has been called the hidden gem of Moremi. We will stop and watch the beautiful African sun go down, having a drink and a snack before returning to camp.
The team will get to work lighting a fire, serving drinks and preparing dinner whilst guests have a shower and freshen up.
Dinner will be held around the fire, where we listen to the sounds of the night, talk about the day and discuss what tomorrow may bring before heading to sleep in our roof tents under the stars. An awe-inspiring experience in itself.
Day 4 – Moremi Third Bridge
We will awaken early, just before dawn, and close up our vehicles. Your hosts will serve hot drinks and rusks, before we set off on our morning drive as the sun starts to appear. We will explore the southern region of the park, stopping for a light breakfast. We will then drive up through Moremi to Third Bridge campsite where we will spend 2 nights. Shady pitches amongst trees are spacious and game frequents camp and the surrounding areas. Lions often use the bridge to cross the river, creating somewhat of a blockage!
It’s important to keep an eye on belongings here, as baboons can be a pain and will steal anything they can grab!
There is a little basic shop here where you can buy a limited assortment of supplies.
Late afternoon we will set out on a drive, enjoying a sundowner and a lovely game drive.
Dinner, drink and stories around the fire will follow before another night under the African skies.
Day 5 – Moremi Third Bridge
Morning and evening drives exploring the region around Third Bridge, including the Mboma Loop and Dead Tree Island, as well as any water sources, in search of game. Depending on water levels we may undertake a boat or Mokoro trip.
Day 6 – Moremi Xakanaxa
An early start and game drive working our way up to Xakanaxa, arriving late morning at the campsite on the edge of a lagoon.
Lunch will be served and guests can rest in the campsite for a couple of hours before preparing for an evening drive.
This is a prolific game viewing region, which should make for an exciting drive and spectacular sundowner before we return to camp for the night.
Again, dinner, drinks and stories around the fire will follow before another night under African skies.
Day 7 – Moremi North Gate
An early start and game drive working our way around Xakanaxa, with emphasis on driving along the river. Depending on water levels, we may undertake a boat or Mokoro trip.
We will stop for breakfast before heading onto Khwai region, stopping off at Dombo Hippo Pools en route.
Arriving at North Gate around lunchtime, we will enjoy a light snack and couple of hours at leisure before setting off to explore the numerous trails around the Khwai region.
This is a truly wild region famed for predator interactions, with the animals including lion, leopard and wild dog as well as hyenas and others.
After a refreshing sundowner, we will return to camp for dinner, drinks and stories around the fire. Guests are likely to be treated to some spectacular sounds of the wild through the night as the nocturnal animals get into full swing.
Day 8 – Khwai Concession Mogotlho
Awake early and grab a coffee before heading out on a drive. After the drive, we will cross our bridge over the River Khwai and register in Khwai village. Today we are saying goodbye to relative civilisation for a couple of nights, so we may grab one or two basic supplies from the shop in the village before working our way round to the Mogotlho community campsite, a beautiful spot near the river some 20km from the village. Totally wild with no facilities, this is a truly beautiful and tranquil spot in a phenomenal game viewing region. Proceeds from the camp go to the local community.
After a light snack and a couple of hours at leisure, we will set off on a drive around the Khwai region to the north of the river.
After a refreshing sundowner, we will return to camp for dinner, drinks and stories around the fire. Once again, guests are likely to be treated to some spectacular sounds of the wild through the night as the nocturnal animals get into full swing.
Day 9 – Khwai Concession Mogotlho
Enjoy a full day of game viewing activities, exploring the region as we make the most of our last night in the wilderness.
Day 10 – Maun
After our final early start and game drive, we will make the 5-hour drive back to Maun and check in at our accommodation for the final night.
Enjoy some creature comforts in this beautiful location by the river, as we have a drink and meal together, sharing our favourite memories of the trip.
Day 11 – Overnight flight
Wake and enjoy breakfast before handing over vehicles and transferring to Maun Airport for the flight to Johannesburg, where we will catch a connecting flight overnight to Heathrow.
Day 12 – Arrive London Heathrow and depart home