How to See the Best of Botswana on a Ten-day Road Trip

Botswana is without a doubt one of the best travel destinations in the world. Described as the Gem of Africa, this landlocked natural wonderland is home to a wide selection of wildlife, including the Big Five and some uncommon bird and animal species. Additionally, the country is blessed with a host of exotic topographical features coupled with vast natural resources.

Popular tourist attractions include the Chobe National Park, the Moremi Game Reserve, and the Okavango Delta. With so many places to go and things to do, here’s a comprehensive itinerary of how to see the best of Botswana in 10 days.

Day 1

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Start off your adventure at the historical Serowe village, the birthplace of Botswana’s founding father. Here, you will find several stores such as the Spar where you can fill up your stock to last for the next two days. Places of interest include The Khama III Memorial Museum and The Khama Rhino Sanctuary. You may camp at the Sanctuary or the Kwa Nokeng on your way to Gauteng.

Day 2

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Day 2 should bring you to Kubu Island, located a few miles from Letlhakane and Orapa towns. The Island is renowned for its dry granite rocky surfaces riddled with dozens of stone ruins and prehistoric artifacts. The Island is a great place for epic sundowners and reenergizing sunrises. Camping costs start from as little as R200 per person.

Day 3

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Nothing is as exhilarating as cruising through the sand tracks of the Gweta salt pans as you experience the best of what Botswana has to offer. After a few hours of interacting with nature, you may have lunch at Planet Baobab and set camp at Audi Camp at a cost of R88 per person.

Day 4

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Take a chartered voyage over the Okavango Delta at a cost of R1040 per person. The one-hour flight will land you at Wimpy for a quick morning bite. After breakfast, take a quick tour around the Delta and set camp at the Third Bridge campsite for the night.

Day 5

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Wake up early just in time to view the sunrise in Okavango. After breakfast at the site, visit the Mboma Boat Station for a once-in-a-lifetime boat trip into the inland delta on the Mokoro River at a cost of R360 per hour. The ride will take you to South Gate where you can set camp for the night.

Day 6

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Leave South Gate early and take a detour to Chobe National Park. The long, sandy stretch to Savuti will give you a sneak peek of what to expect when you get to the park. You will be required to pay R62 per vehicle and R150 per person per day as park fees. After interacting with Africa’s Big Five at the park, you may camp at Savuti at a cost of R250 per night.

Day 7

Image: Chobe National Park

The Chobe National Park is vast and it would take at least 3 days to cover the best places within the park. Make sure you visit the Chobe River to catch a glimpse of wildebeests, rhinos and elephants as they come in droves to quench their thirst. You may camp at Ilaha at R220 per person per night.

Day 8

Image: Chobe National Park

Drive along the Chobe River heading to the Chobe Safari Lodge, which is just 40 kilometers away. As you wind up your tour, spend the afternoon enjoying the picturesque sceneries on the decks of the Safari lodge as you take a closer look at the different bird species.

Day 9

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Take off for a last scenic boat ride on the Chobe River to have a closer look at the various game species that come in droves to the river every morning. Return to the lodge and check out as you head to the Nata Lodge on the Makgadikgadi salt pans. Here, you will spend your final phase of the tour viewing flamingoes and other bird species at the Nata Bird Sanctuary. You may spend the night at Nata Lodge or set camp at a cost of R965 per night. This charge covers a twin-bed luxury safari tent. 

Day 10

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After taking breakfast, leave Nata as early as 6 AM and head home via Lephalale and Waterberg. The over 800-kilometer journey back to the capital will surely serve as a pleasant experience for road-trip enthusiasts.

Take Away

You cannot cover the whole of Botswana in 10 days, but you can certainly see the best the country has to offer within the specified period. All you need is a detailed itinerary that covers the best places of interest in Botswana, for an unforgettable experience and a memorable adventure in one of Africa’s last remaining paradise. Most visitors opt for 4×4 hire in Botswana. You can find the perfect vehicle suited to your trip at Botswana 4×4 hire. Most travelers opt for 4×4 rentals or camper rentals for trips, but car hire is an option. It just means you would need to stay on the tarred roads.