Southern Botswana Self-Drive Tour – 12 Days

This is the ideal self-drive package for South African travellers. Enter Botswana at either the Stockpoort or the Grobler’s Bridge border post and head to Goo-Moremi Resort near Palapye. This is an easy drive from Gauteng. If you live in a province further south, make sure to add another day or two of driving to get to the border. The resort is at the foot of the Tswapong Hills where the Goo-Moremi Gorge is tucked away. It’s an hours drive from Palapye (about 68 km). The tar road ends at the village of Moremi, after which it’s only a couple of kilometres of sandy gravel road. Park Entry Fees are about P 60 P/P and have to be settled on site.

Wake up to the Swainson’s spurfowl call. Get up and take a stroll around the campsite – you might spot a Kudu. After breakfast, join a guided hike into the gorge. You will see big trees, beautiful ferns and rock pools. No swimming is allowed, as the gorge is a holy site. There are a beautiful waterfall and a colony of vultures, which is set deeper in the gorge. From Goo-Moremi, follow the tar road to Palapye. You can visit the nearby historical village of Old Palapye if you have time to spare. Carry on to Khama Rhino Sanctuary north of Serowe. This small reserve is the best place to rhino in Botswana. There is also plenty of other wildlife in the area. Park at Malema Pan and wait for them to come and drink.

Head north today. Make sure to fill up in the small mining town of Letlhakane, if you need to. At Mopipi you will see Lake Xau – this is where the Boteti River ends. You will spend the night at Tiaan’s Camp on the outskirts of Xhumanga, situated next to the Boteti River. Elephant sightings are quite common here, this is also the jump-off point for the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, across the river. Visits to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve are possible, you would, however, need to add an additional day to visit here. Guided game and nature drives are usually available to pre-book at all lodge in the area.

Today you will follow the B300 road north to Motopi. Cross the bridge leading over the Boteti River and you will reach the A3 tar road. Heading west on the A3, you will make your way to Drifters Lodge, situated about 30 km outside of Maun. This will be your base for the next 2 days. Relax and soak up the atmosphere. Read a book or take a nap. You can also head to Maun for some fuel, shopping and sightseeing.

On day two you have the day at leisure or to explore the surrounding area at your one pace.

Today you will head to Gweta. Follow the A3 road but mind the potholes! Planet Baobab is situated close to the A3 main road. This area boasts with lovely baobab trees, a refreshing pool and restaurant. Spending another night here will give you the opportunity to head to Ntwetwe Pan for a day visit, situated in the western part of the Makgadikgadi National Park.

Continue east along the A3 to Nata. There is a fuelling station and a Wimpy. This is the perfect base to explore Sua Pan, the Makgadikgadi’s eastern part. We recommend visiting the Nata Bird Sanctuary. You can reach is driving back onto the tar road and driving south. The pan is usually dry, but if you strike it lucky, it might be filled with meter-deep water all the way to the horizon, which makes for an abundance of birdlife like pelicans and spoonbills.

Today you will head to Francistown. Watch out for animals on the A3 – and traffic cops (they are very good at their job). Stick to the speed limit, this will keep your fuel consumption low. Woodlands Stop Over is just north of Francistown. This lodge offers great camping facilities. There are short hiking trails that can be explored and plenty of bird-life in the area.

You can also head out and visit the Domboshaba ruins. The road leading there is mostly tarred and takes you through small villages, farms and eventually through some bush. At the site, a guide will take you around and tell you about the history of the settlement, which was once part of the Great Zimbabwe network. Ask reception to explain how to get to Domboshaba or follow the GPS co-ordinates S20.60284 E27.37287.

Your tour ends today. You will head back to South Africa via Platjan, a fun low-water bridge. Other options for border crossing would be the Zanzibar or Martin’s Drift / Grobler’s Bridge border posts.