Embark on an extraordinary journey through the heart of Botswana's diverse landscapes. Traverse the ethereal expanse of the Makgadikgadi Pans, where ancient salt flats meet vast open horizons, offering a surreal experience like no other. Delve into the Okavango Delta's watery wonderland, where meandering channels and lush islands teem with wildlife, inviting you to explore its intricate ecosystem. Discover the untamed beauty of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, a vast wilderness that captivates with its stark desert scenery and the chance to encounter rare wildlife species.

Day 1 JOHANNESBURG - GOO MOREMI GORGE [camping -LD]
(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Departing Johannesburg we head north to Goo-Moremi campsite on day 1 of our journey, as venture into the heart of Botswana's wilderness. We travel through breathtaking landscapes as we make our way to the enchanting Goo-Moremi campsite, where we explore the gorge, its rich cultural and spiritual heritage, its waterfalls and if lucky see vultures in the colony on foot.

Day 2 KUBU ISLAND [wild camping BLD]
Kubu Island is a remarkable granite rock formation located in Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans, known for its stunningly flat and desolate landscape, surrounded by a vast salt pan and characterized by its eerie beauty. After breakfast we transfer into our open 4wd safari vehicle and head off the beaten track to explore this area of baobab trees and salt pans. The flat landscape, and incredible stary skies offer incredible photo opportunities during the day and night. We explore the granite rock formations and interesting fauna and flora of the area on foot.

Day 3 GWETA - MAKGADIKGADI PANS  [camping BLD]
We skirt the edges of the vast Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, making our way up to Gweta where we spend the night at Planet Baobab Campsite. The Makgadikgadi Pans are the world's largest salt pans, covering 30,000 sq kms, formed from the remnants of a large inland lake that dried up thousands of years ago. Home to a variety of wildlife including large herds of Zebra and wildebeest and migratory birds. Enjoy an evening under the stars.

Day 4 MAUN [camping BL-]
We have a slow morning allowing time for the optional (own expense) meerkat activity. The meerkat adventure gets us into the middle of the comical antics of the meerkats. The meerkats live in family groups along the edge of the salt pans, and we have the opportunity to get close observing and engaging with habituated meerkats in the habitat. We make our way towards Maun arriving mid-afternoon where we have time to resupply in preparation for our next few days in the Okavango. An optional (own expense) game flight over the Okavango, which will reveal a different aspect of the delta. We set up camp and enjoy an evening meal at a local restaurant (own expense).

Day 5 -7 OKAVANGO DELTA  [wild camping BLD] Our local guides will take us deep into the heart of the Okavango Delta on mekoro (dugout canoes). The delta forms as water flows from the Angolan highlands out over the Botswanan flat Kalahari Desert sands creating a delicate, green oasis for birds & wildlife. We will camp wild on remote islands in this amazingly dynamic environment & enjoy bush walks, bird watching & swimming in the clear water. Camping with our local guides we learn more about their lifestyle & culture. We return to Maun in the late afternoon of day 7 and overnight in the campsite with good, comfortable facilities.

Day 8 - 11 CENTRAL KALAHARI GAME RESERVE [wild camping BLD] The name 'Kalahari" conjures up images of wide-open grassy plans, dry river beds, hardy wildlife and of course the famed black-maned Kalahari Lions. You will not be disappointed! The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is the largest, most remotely situated reserve in Southern Africa, and the second-largest wildlife reserve in the world, encompassing 52 800 sq kms. Nothing prepares you for the immensity of this reserve or its wild, mysterious beauty. There is an impression of unending space, and having the entire reserve to yourself. We journey to the northern section of the CKGR, spending four days exploring this remote wilderness of rolling grasslands occasional sand dunes and fossilized river valleys. Including the iconic areas of Deception Valley and Leopard Pan. These areas offer good game viewing. The roads are sandy and heavy going, so be prepared for some long travelling days, but this is more than worthwhile because of the amazing environment that you are travelling through.

Day 12 KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY [BLD] The Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust is a community based wildlife project established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhino, restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its previous natural state and provide economic benefits to the local Botswana community through tourism and the sustainable use of natural resources. This reserve situated on the Kalahari sandveld, has several natural waterholes and provides prime habitat for white rhino, zebra and wildebeest.

Day 13 JOHANNESBURG - TOUR ENDS [B - -]
Tour ends in Johannesburg at the airport at 17:00 on day 14.

Highlights

	Makgadikgadi Pans – Kubu Island
	Okavango Delta – mekoro excursion
	Central Kalahari Game Reserve
	Khama Rhino Sanctuary

This tour starts in Johannesburg at 06:30 at the departure hotel. You will therefore need a pre-tour night of accommodation in Johannesburg as there is an early start on day 1. Please indicate if you require assistance with airport transfers and hotel reservations in the notes section of the booking process.
(Depending on your flight arrival time, you can book an own expense, optional afternoon excursion to either SOWETO or Maropeng, bookable and payable on arrival in Johannesburg.)

The tour ends at 18:00 in Johannesburg. You can therefore book your flight out for the last day of the tour, there is no need to overnight in Johannesburg post tour.

Johannesburg Hotel:

Rivonia Road Lodge
Cnr Rivonia Rd & 10th Ave, Rivonia, Sandton
Double room (B&B)  € 38 per person sharing 
Single room (B&B)  € 67

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REPEAT TRAVELERS SPECIAL DISCOUNT:

If you have travelled with Sunway before and would like to return to Africa and do another safari with us, we can offer you a repeat Sunway travellers discount of 5% on any scheduled tour booked.

This discount is also available if you book through your original travel agent again. When you make your booking please make sure you tell your agent the date of your previous tour.

Safari Grade: Camping

Overnight: 5 nights on safari we stay at designated campsites in national parks and towns. Formal campsites have hot and cold showers, laundry facilities & telephones. 7 nights we “camp wild” without fences in the wilderness areas. On some nights the crew will erect a bucket shower (with hot water off the fi re) and a pit latrine (with seat!)

Meals: 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 10 dinners will be provided by the Sunway crew, prepared at the vehicle and eaten around the camp fire or in a boma.

Transport: for the majority of this safari you travel in a custom-built 4WD Land Cruiser with 12 forward facing seats (of which 8 are "window" seats). Roll up canvas sides allow you to feel part of the bush. For the first two days from Johannesburg to Maun we use custom-built Sunway Safari trucks with 12 forward facing seats; or (on 10% of tours) Mercedes Sprinter minibuses with 12 forward facing seats and air conditioning.

Participation: An essential part of your safari is some participation. From putting up your tent to packing the truck in the morning – it’s all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little eff ort the trip will run smoothly. Your tour leaders will do all the meal preparation but we do ask the clients to help (on rotation) with the washing up.

Responsible Tourism

Several times a year Sunway Safaris operates a trip for underprivileged children from PEN Organisation to visit Pilanesberg Game reserve, introducing the children to the wildlife, the importance of conservation and helping broaden their horizons. PEN Organisation supports disadvantaged children and families to try and empower them through learning, training, and job placement using resources they would not normally have access to. We believe environmental education is important opportunity, and allows them to see for themselves wildlife, nature conservation at work, and also shows them the many unique employment opportunities that are available in the conservation or tourism industry.

 

AGE POLICY

We accept children 12-18 with accompanying adults on scheduled tours (for private groups we can accept younger children).

 

If the clients are older than 65 years, then we require a medical certificate too (stating client is fit and healthy to embark on a multi-day tour covering long distances etc)

 

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BOTSWANA

Botswana is centrally located in Southern Africa and mostly has a sub-tropical climate. Largely Kalahari desert, there are sizeable differences between the day and night temperatures and virtually no rainfall. Botswana has something to offer in every season, however the Kalahari can be a very harsh environment with icy winters and devastatingly hot summers. Therefore this expedition, the Trans Kalahari, is specifically planned for April (autumn) and September (spring) each year, to take advantage of the most moderate weather months in the year.

Dry season is from May to October: The game viewing is superb and wildlife is easier to spot.
May:- Autumn temperatures are typically 10°C/50°F to 28°C/80°F.

June, July & August:- Winter morning game drives can be cold at around 3°C, but it warms to +-25°C/78°F, so dress in layers with a windproof jacket and beanie. 

September & October:- Spring begins and temperatures warm up to +- 36°C. September is a good month the Trans Kalahari expeditions because the end of winter means few water sources, and congregations of plains game and predators.  October is the hottest month in Botswana and it's not recommended to be camping in the CKGR at this time!

Green season is from November to April: The intermittent rains bring much needed relief to the bushveld, many antelope have their young, and the world around you is brimming with new life. The rains also settle the dust, and the sunlight provides gorgeous photographic opportunities.

November & December:- As the clouds build up this time is typically cooler than October at between 20°C/69°F and 33°C/91°F but there can still be some very hot days. After the first rains the roads can become muddy in places!

January & February:- The Summer or "Green" months, with occasional storms in the afternoon. Temperatures are around 32°C/90°F in the day. 

March and April:- Lovely, clear weather and few clouds prevail, but the nights are cooler and the days very comfortable at around 30°C/87°F. The end of the summer months is an ideal time to visit the Central Kalahari, and game viewing should be good.

 

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