3-Day Makgadikgadi Pans Camping Safari with Meerkats and San Walk

3 Days Round trip from Maun Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Camp on the vast Makgadikgadi Pans with canvas tents, campfire evenings, and three-course bush dinners
  • 02 Watch habituated wild meerkat colonies at sunrise from close range
  • 03 Walk with indigenous San Bushmen to learn tracking, desert survival skills, and traditional plant medicine
  • 04 Venture deep into the white pan by quad bike in the dry months or visit Baines' Baobabs
  • 05 Scan the Boteti River for elephants, zebras, wildebeests, and brown hyenas

Spend three unforgettable days camping on the vast Makgadikgadi Pans, travelling by 4x4 from Maun into one of Botswana's most striking desert landscapes. Settle into a wilderness camp under big skies, enjoy hearty bush meals around the fire, and take in a spectacular pan sunset followed by exceptional stargazing. Your adventure blends iconic wildlife encounters and cultural insight: meet habituated wild meerkat colonies at sunrise, walk with indigenous San Bushmen to learn tracking and survival skills, and explore the pans by quad bike in the dry months or visit the dramatic silhouettes of Baines' Baobabs. Finish with a final safari along the Boteti River in search of elephants, zebras, wildebeests, and elusive predators.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Hard
Accommodation Included · Budget
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Maun, Makgadikgadi Pan
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Maun to the Salt Flats and Wilderness Camp

  • Morning: Meet your professional guide team in Maun and journey southeast in custom 4x4 safari vehicles into the Makgadikgadi region.

  • Afternoon: Arrive at your designated wilderness campsite and watch the crew set up your comfortable canvas tents while you enjoy refreshing drinks.

  • Evening: Head directly onto the stark crust of the pans for a 360-degree horizon sunset. Return to a roaring campfire for a traditional three-course bush dinner cooked over open coals, followed by deep-sky stargazing.

2
Day 02

Wild Meerkats, San Bushmen, and Pan Exploration

  • Sunrise: Wake early for hot coffee and drive out to locate habituated wild meerkat colonies. Sit quietly as they awaken and scan the horizon, often using onlookers as vantage points.

  • Mid-day: Walk through the bush with indigenous San Bushmen guides. Learn ancient desert survival skills, tracking techniques, and traditional plant medicine.

  • Late Afternoon: In the dry months, rev up quad bikes to venture deep into the blinding white interior of the pan. Alternatively, explore the iconic, towering old trees at Baines' Baobabs.

3
Day 03

Boteti River Wildlife Safari and Return to Maun

  • Morning: Break camp and track large desert-adapted wildlife. Enjoy a final morning game drive along the crucial Boteti River channel, scanning for elephants, zebras, wildebeests, and brown hyenas.

  • Afternoon: Savor a hearty packed bush lunch before a relaxed drive back to Maun, arriving in time for your afternoon flight connections or onward travel.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Maun 2 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • 2 nights of dome tent camping accommodation with bedding

  • All freshly prepared bush meals and daily snacks

  • Select local beers, wines, soft drinks, and fresh water

  • Transport from Maun in custom 4x4 safari vehicles

  • Fees for fully certified professional guides and camp crew

  • National park entries, local permits, and community levies

  • Meerkat excursion, San walk, and guided pan drives

What's Not Included

  • International and regional flights to and from Maun

  • Premium brand spirits, champagnes, and fine imports

  • Personal travel and comprehensive medical insurance

  • Discretionary cash tips or gratuities for guides and crew

  • Souvenirs, boutique purchases, and personal laundry

  • Pre- and post-tour lodging stays in Maun

What to bring

  • Lightweight layers: Pack breathable cotton or linen long-sleeve shirts and trousers to protect against the sun and evening mosquitoes.

  • Convertible zip-off trousers: Highly practical for transitioning from freezing mornings to scorching middays.

  • Heavy winter wear (Dry Season / May-Oct): A thick windproof jacket, fleece, beanie, scarf, and gloves are non-negotiable. The wind chill on quad bikes or open 4x4s can feel icy.

  • Rainproof shell (Wet Season / Nov-Apr): A lightweight, waterproof jacket or poncho for sudden, dramatic downpours.

  • Sports bras: Strongly recommended for women due to the incredibly bumpy terrain on off-road pan drives.

Know before you go

  • Route: Maun to Makgadikgadi Pans Adventure Loop

  • Accommodation Style: Wild camping and mobile safari tents

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Maun
Tour start
Maun
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 3 days finish where they began, in Maun.

Watch the tourHQ film Watch the film

Create your own adventure

Can't find the perfect tour? Tailor your dream trip.

  • Tell us your destination, dates and group size.
  • Our travel experts and local guides design a tailored itinerary, just for you.
  • Enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing everything is taken care of.
Plan my holiday

Say goodbye to travel stress.

Starting from

USD 825 /person
Book This Tour

When

Travellers

Total