Example trip

Botswana from Johannesburg: a road trip, wild camping, and wildlife spotting!

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Highlights

Bike and boat safaris, water activities, safaris, magical waterfalls, road trips, hiking & camping

Location

Botswana

Budget

from € 4.000,- p.p. excl. flight tickets

Roadtripping like never before

Get ready for an intense road trip through the epic landscapes of Botswana and discover the diversity of this unique country. Drive from the vast Kalahari Desert to the largest inland delta in the world, and camp in the middle of nowhere on one of the largest salt pans on Earth. Add to that an abundance of wildlife, baobab trees, and stars in the night, and your camera will be working overtime. It doesn’t get more off-the-beaten-track than this original Charlie's Travels adventure!

22 days in Botswana

Day 1

Johannesburg

Your long-awaited African adventure is finally about to begin. Today, you're flying, probably with a healthy dose of butterflies in your stomach, to the southernmost country on the African continent. Prepare yourselves for an abundance of wildlife, pristine nature, breathtaking views, and unforgettable encounters! The journey starts in the "City of Gold," Johannesburg. Johannesburg began as a settlement for its gold mines and has grown into South Africa's largest city! The city is brimming with history and culture, and there is so much to see. Visit the vast Soweto Township, once home to Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, and learn more about South Africa's history at the Apartheid Museum.

Day 2

Stockpoort Border

Welcome to the Stockpoort Border! A border crossing? Indeed! This small farming settlement can hardly be called a village, but it is ideally located just 500 metres from the border with Botswana! The perfect place to break up the drive! It’s about a 5-hour journey.

Day 3

Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Off to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, about a 3-hour drive from the Stockpoort Border. The Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Serowe covers around 8,585 hectares and is home to both white and black rhinos, along with over 30 other species and a variety of birdlife. Enjoy a game drive through the area as you travel from waterhole to waterhole. There are plenty of interesting activities to book at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, including rhino tracking, giraffe tracking, nature walks, and guided game drives.

Day 4 - 5

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Today, the journey continues to the largest and most remote reserve in southern Africa, an area larger than the Netherlands: Central Kalahari Game Reserve! Here, you'll find a vast diversity of landscapes, views, and wildlife, including many oryx and other animals. The Kalahari Desert is known for its vastness and dryness, which is where the name 'the great thirst' comes from. During the rainy season, when the Okavango River floods, large herds of springbok, elephants, buffaloes, and wildebeest gather by the water. You can also find meerkats, brown hyenas, and Africa’s big cats, such as cheetahs, leopards, and the famous black-maned Kalahari lions.

Day 6 - 8

Makgadikgadi National Park

You'll drive on to the Makgadikgadi National Park. Here, you'll feel truly alone in the world, surrounded by kilometres of nothing but open plains and wildlife. With some luck, you might spot cheetahs, foxes, or hyenas. A sunset from a remote camping spot is unforgettable, just like the world-famous salt pans. Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan National Park form an expansive area full of baobab trees. Visit the nearby Nata Bird Sanctuary for flamingos and pelicans. And don't forget to meet the famous Timon, one of the meerkats that have become accustomed to human company!

Maun, Botswana’s safari capital, is the third largest city in Botswana, located along the Thamalakane River and at the heart of Ngamiland. Maun is practically the only sign of civilisation around the various safari parks of Botswana. So, make sure to take the opportunity to fill up the car’s petrol tank and stock up at the supermarket. Put your feet up at your accommodation or at one of the charming restaurants and bars in Maun. Our favourite: the Okavango Craft Brewery!

Day 10 - 11

Okavango Delta

Explore the magical Okavango Delta, one of the most visited destinations in Southern Africa, but not easily accessible due to the many rivers, lakes, and marshes. The constantly changing water levels make accessibility challenging, meaning a boat trip or flight is essential for a spectacular experience. The Mokoro trip offers the ultimate Botswanan experience, drifting through the delta in search of wildlife, with stops for lunch, game walks, and refreshing dips. Enjoy sunsets reflecting on the still water and overnight on an island, deep in the bush, for a true off-the-beaten-track adventure under the starry sky.

Day 12 - 13

Moremi Game Reserve

Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best game areas in Botswana, thanks to the Okavango Delta reaching the interior here. The park offers a diverse landscape with streams, lakes, mopane forests, lagoons, and acacia woodlands. Elephants are abundant here; you sometimes have to manoeuvre around them! The water also attracts an abundance of birds. Lions, hyenas, wild dogs, and even leopards can be spotted here. With wildlife freely roaming near the campsites, you truly feel one with nature. This is adventurous, off-the-beaten-track, and unforgettable – an experience that showcases the wilderness of Botswana at its best.

Day 14 - 15

Chobe National Park

Welcome to Chobe National Park, where adventure awaits on challenging routes that take you deeper into the wilderness. Prepare for encounters with Africa's diverse wildlife, from elephants to rare wild dogs. The park, bordering the Okavango Delta, is home to large herds of elephants along the Chobe Riverfront and offers floodplain grasslands that attract birds and migrating zebras. Lions, antelope, and hippos inhabit the forests and lagoons around Linyanti Marsh. Explore the untouched nature and dirt trails, and be prepared for encounters with animals as you navigate through water, pits, and mud. Chobe National Park offers an unforgettable safari experience in the heart of Africa.

Day 16

Kasane

Kasane is located near Africa's '4 corners', where Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia meet. Because Kasane is right next to the Chobe River, there are plenty of opportunities (such as from the lodge) to spot wildlife enjoying the refreshing waters of the river. Elephants (lots and lots of elephants), buffaloes, and hippos are frequent visitors, cooling off and recharging. Kasane is the perfect base for going on safari in Chobe National Park and for visiting the Victoria Falls.

Day 17

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is the widest waterfall in Africa, with a water curtain spanning over 1,700 meters wide and 100 meters high, and approximately 500 million litres of water falling over the rock face every minute. Explorer David Livingstone described the falls as: "such lovely scenes must have been admired by the angels as they flew." Victoria Falls is compact enough to walk around, making it an ideal base for travellers wishing to explore this seventh wonder of the world! Stroll along all the viewpoints of the falls and feel the mist from every direction. Make sure your camera is well-protected, as you will definitely get wet from the power of these falls!

Day 18

Nata

Today, you'll drive for about 4 hours from Kasane to the small village of Nata. It's the perfect spot to visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary. Around Elephant Sands, you'll find a massive population of elephants! Due to the area's dryness and the borehole at Elephant Sands, you'll see herds of elephants drinking throughout the day.

Day 19 - 20

Tuli Block

After a long drive of about 7 hours, you'll reach the Tuli Block, Botswana's best-kept secret. This private game reserve is an alliance of various concessions and is one of the largest in Southern Africa. Located in the east of Botswana along the Limpopo River, it borders South Africa and Zimbabwe. The landscape is rocky, with impressive rock formations and gorges, surrounded by large, ancient trees and inselbergs. Here, you'll find the largest elephant population on private land, around 1,200 strong, which has earned the area the name "Land of Giants." Explore the beautiful surroundings, diverse birdlife, and other wildlife!

Day 21

Johannesburg

Prepare for a long drive of about 7 hours to Johannesburg! You'll leave the private game reserve Tuli Block behind and head to the trendy Jozi, as the locals call it.

Day 22

Departure

Back in Johannesburg. Everything comes to an end, including this beautiful adventure through Botswana. Fully rested, you pack your bags to catch the flight home. With a healthy glow on your cheeks, you board the plane, and with your eyes closed and your seat reclined, you drift off, reminiscing about the amazing adventures you've had. Full of inspiration and an overdose of beautiful memories, you open the front door. Welcome home! One adventure over, but richer in experiences. Thank you for booking with Charlie's Travels!

Interested in this example trip?

Schedule a free consultation and we will immediately get to work on making your preferred trip completely to your liking. See you soon in Botswana?

What our travellers say about us

     
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Auralie Blauwbloeme 
 38 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a fantastic trip through Namibia with two families with teenagers. The trip was fully planned according to our wishes and tailored to the composition of the group. The personal approach, the communication, the preparation… everything was top-notch. Our next trip to Africa will be with Charlie's Travels again!

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    +5
 
 
 
 
 
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   RJ 
 71 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wow!! What an amazing trip we took through Kenya with Charlie's Travels. Self-drive, highly recommended, and wonderfully taken care of from start to finish! Thank you so much ❤️🍀

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    +5
 
 
 
 
 
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   GoeVerhaal. 
 78 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We booked our honeymoon to Namibia with this organization, and how fantastic was it? We received clear information beforehand, they used a detailed app, and we received thoughtful messages before and during the trip to check in. Truly an organization with a heart for the mission of showcasing the beauty of Africa. When we looked into the organization further after the trip, we understand why. Thank you for everything! We didn't feel like just a number, received incredibly quick answers to questions before and during the trip, and received a beautiful, customized itinerary where everything was perfectly arranged everywhere on-site. You gave us the trip of a lifetime ❤️ Best regards and see you again! Laura and Arne

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   Merel Doreleijers 
 93 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I look back with immense pleasure on my pioneering trip to Madagascar with Charlie's Travels. What made this trip so special for me was its off-the-beaten-track nature. We visited places you wouldn't easily get to as an ordinary tourist, saw beautiful nature, and had a lot of contact with the local people. That made the experience very authentic. One of the biggest highlights was driving off-road myself. In addition, there were so many unexpected moments that I won't soon forget: a football match against the locals in the Tsaranoro Valley, unexpectedly finding myself in a local sacrificial ritual, and a canoe trip that went very differently than planned. We thought we were going on a sailboat trip, but it turned out to be a few leaky canoes. In hindsight, it actually became one of the best memories of the trip for me. That is also the charm of a pioneering trip: not everything goes as planned, but it is precisely those unexpected moments that make the adventure complete. I also appreciated the variety of accommodations. From homestays, B&Bs, and hotels to sleeping in a tent under the starry sky. That fit perfectly with the adventurous nature of the trip. I do think, however, that a pioneering journey isn't for everyone. You need to be flexible and be able to accept that plans sometimes change. If you can surrender to that and simply enjoy the journey as it unfolds, that is precisely what yields the most beautiful stories and memories. The reason I am not giving 5 stars is that the communication before and during the trip was sometimes a bit disorganized. I would also have liked to see more transparency regarding certain costs. In my opinion, those are areas where Charlie's Travels can still improve. Despite that, I look back on a fantastic trip full of special experiences and memories that I won't soon forget. If you are looking for an adventurous, authentic journey off the beaten path and are open to the unexpected, then I can certainly recommend a trip with Charlie's Travels.

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   Martijn van Heest 
 95 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Sjoerd from Charlies Travels organized my trip through Morocco, and it was fantastic! Due to limited time, I skipped the big cities and mainly visited the less crowded places in the interior. For a large part of the time, I stayed with families and experienced just how warm the culture of this country is. My 'guides' felt more like friends; they were hospitable, took me to visit family, and managed to strike a perfect balance between 'going on with life' while showing me the most beautiful spots in Morocco. For me, the added value of Charlies lay in selecting these amazing, not always obvious places, and the accompanying partners/guides/families who were willing to give me an inside look. Highly recommended for everyone!

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   Victor Bijlsma 
 165 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Went on a pioneering trip to Senegal, Gambia & Guinea-Bissau with Charlie's Travels. It was special to visit such pristine countries without mass tourism. The difference between Senegal & Gambia was already significant – and the trip was very diverse. From beaches and big cities to eco-lodges & local markets. Highly recommended to utilize the expertise of Charlie's team; it saved a lot of hassle :)

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   Jasper M. 
 186 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a fantastic pioneering trip with Charlie's through Senegal, the Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau 💯 World-class tour guides and a fun group!

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   Casper Berkhout 
 272 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We went to Uganda and Kenya for almost a month and we did not leave dissapointed! Our goal was to visit "off the beaten track" destinations and experience real local culture and Charlie's did not let us down. In Uganda we saw TONS of wildlife, with the bike safari in Lake Mburo being the undisputable highlight... unforgettable. We spent a day with the Batwa people, which was a unique culturally enriching experience. In Kenya we got to relax at the beach in a luxurious resort and get our tan on! All the tour guides that were organized by Charlie's were both knowledgable and wonderfully enthusiastic. This was the most memorable vaction in years, and we would reccomend booking a trip with Charlie's to anyone (if you are adventurous enough of course ;) ).
  
 
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   Maikel Hurts 
 289 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Angola surprised me in ways that are difficult to put into words. The country is raw and pure, with landscapes that seem to breathe: the red earth glowing in the sun, endless savannas disappearing into a haze of warmth, and the ocean incessantly beating its rhythm against the coast. With Xavier Rudd playing through the car speakers, everything took on an extra layer of meaning. His music—those earthy sounds, that peace and freedom—seemed to become one with the landscape. As the road wound through villages full of color and smiling faces, it felt as if every song had been written especially for this moment.

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   Wolfeew 
 289 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've been to Africa with Charlie's multiple times – Kenya, Uganda, and most recently to Angola: Friendliness and rawness personified, a delightful mix of pure Africa and Portuguese influences. Beautiful, untouched nature, tranquility, and fantastic people. From desert to jungle, from canyons to waves crashing against the rugged coast – what a country. It's wonderful to be taken under Charlie's wing!

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   Hanneke 
 289 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Angola with Charlies was amazing! Remote and real pioneering. A great country to discover with friends. One big adventure, from camping in the beautiful desert to making memories for life with proud locals. Went home with a big smile and would love to be back soon!

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    +4
 
 
 
 
 
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   Jan 
 290 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic organization, in short. We traveled to Namibia with a group of 7, and CT guided us through the entire process to set it up exactly how we wanted. During the trip, "our" travel coach Nick was also attentive, asked how we were doing, and arranged a few things for us, such as a New Year's breakfast. CT works with local organizations that we felt comfortable with.

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   Tessa Tuk 
 327 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Last October, I went on a pioneering trip to Malawi with Charlie's Travels, and it turned out to be a unique experience. The moments that stuck with me the most are the beautiful hike through Nyika National Park, where we camped in the middle of nature and zebras walked past our tent in the morning; and the evening we all dove into a local pub and danced the night away with the locals. The paradisiacal Likoma Island and the car rides through the stunning African landscape, with spontaneous stops at local bars along the way, are also memories that will stay with me for a long time. Malawi is called 'the warm heart of Africa,' and that is exactly how it felt. It was amazing to discover this country with Charlie's Travels and a wonderful group of people. Highly recommended!

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   Lisa Snepvangers 
 341 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We went to Kenya for a month with our family of 5, all arranged by Charie's Travels, and it was AMAZING. We wanted a mix of off-the-beaten-path and comfort, a mix of adventure and vacation, and they made it all happen. Everything from planning the trip and airport pick-up to hotel bookings and activity arrangements went smoothly. We really had the most amazing time! (so much so that I'm writing this review years after taking this trip, cause we're still talking about it!) Definitely recommend booking your trip with Charlie's Travels!
  
 
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   Saskia Looijen 
 348 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was a fantastic experience to go pioneering in Malawi with Charlie's Travels. Truly the warm heart of Africa, with very friendly and open people. Malawi is a country with so many different things to do. We explored the lesser-known north: hiking in Nyika National Park with stunning views over colorful hills, an exciting boat trip across Lake Malawi, and beach vibes and lots of beautiful birds on Likoma Island. There are also beautiful bays and hidden spots along Lake Malawi. The roads are getting better but offer challenges here and there, which is highly recommended for the more adventurous traveler. The setup and organization by Charlie's Travels were excellent, always flexible and tailored to everyone's wishes.

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