10-Day Botswana Safari with Wild Camping in Makgadikgadi and Kalahari

10 Days Round trip from Maun Moderate pace

View all 6 photos

The journey

Trip highlights

01 4x4 journey from Maun across Botswana’s iconic Makgadikgadi Salt Flats, including sunset and stargazing experiences
02 Early-morning encounter with habituated wild meerkats and an immersive San Bushmen tracking and survival experience
03 Explore Baines’ Baobabs and the ancient pan systems, with optional quad biking in the dry season
04 Track desert-adapted wildlife in Deception Valley (Central Kalahari), including black-maned lions, honey badgers, and bat-eared foxes
05 Contrast desert and delta on safari in Moremi/Khwai with mokoro excursions and predator tracking, finishing in Savuti (Chobe) for big-game action

Go far beyond the classic safari circuit on this 10-day Botswana adventure that blends thrilling wildlife encounters with authentic wild camping under vast desert skies. Starting from Maun, travel by 4x4 from the shimmering Makgadikgadi Salt Flats into the dramatic landscapes of Nxai Pan and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, then swap arid horizons for the lush waterways of Moremi and Khwai with mokoro (dugout canoe) safaris.

Along the way, meet habituated wild meerkats, learn ancient tracking skills with San Bushmen guides, search for iconic desert species like black-maned lions and honey badgers, and end in the legendary Savuti Marsh of Chobe National Park—a region famed for big predators and elephant country.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 10 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Maun, Chobe National Park, Makgadikgadi Pan, Nxai Pan National Park, Moremi game reserve, Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Maun to the Makgadikgadi Salt Flats

Depart: Leave Maun by 4x4 and head into the white crust of the pans.
Activity: Enjoy sunset stargazing and an initial introduction to the open-air pan environment.

Day 02

Meerkats and San Bushmen Culture

Activity: Enjoy an early morning interaction with habituated wild meerkats.
Activity: In the afternoon, join a survival tracking experience with indigenous San Bushmen guides.

Day 03

Baines' Baobabs and the Deep Salt Crust

Activity: Journey deeper into the ancient pan systems to map the historic Baines' Baobabs.
Activity: Quad bike options are available in the dry season.

Day 04

Boteti River Wildlife Tracking

Activity: Explore the transition zone along the Boteti River.
Wildlife: Spot elephants, zebras, and migratory predators using the waterpoints.

Day 05

Into Central Kalahari or Nxai Pan

Activity: Break camp and travel southwest into Deception Valley (CKGR) or north to Nxai Pan to view dry-country wildlife matrices.

Day 06

Deep Exploration of Deception Valley

Activity: Track the famous black-maned desert lions, honey badgers, and bat-eared foxes across iconic ancient fossil riverbeds.

Day 07

Moremi and Khwai Safari Extension

Activity: Leave the arid systems behind.
Activity: Loop into the lush Moremi Game Reserve.
Activity: Transition to mokoro (dugout canoe) safaris and leopard tracking.

Day 08

Moremi and Khwai Safari Extension

Activity: Leave the arid systems behind.
Activity: Loop into the lush Moremi Game Reserve.
Activity: Transition to mokoro (dugout canoe) safaris and leopard tracking.

Day 09

Savuti Marsh in Chobe National Park

Activity: Venture north into Savuti's famous elephant-hunting lion territories before circling back south for your return flight from Maun.

Day 10

Savuti Marsh in Chobe National Park

Activity: Venture north into Savuti's famous elephant-hunting lion territories before circling back south for your return flight from Maun.

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation: Mobile canvas dome tents or Meru walk-in tents, tailored to the comfort tier.
Meals & Refreshments: Three daily bush meals, snacks, water, soft drinks, and local beer/wine.
Logistics & Fees: All national park entry permits, community levies, guiding fees, and Maun transfers.

What's Not Included

International long-haul flights
Premium spirits/champagne
Discretionary staff tips
Medical insurance

What to bring

Heavy layers (down jackets/fleece) for freezing desert nights, and lightweight neutral tones for daylight travel.
Headlamp, heavy-duty power banks, camera dust protection bags, and broken-in walking shoes.

Know before you go

Thermal Shift: From May to August, temperatures can shift rapidly from 30°C during the day to 0°C at night. Dress accordingly.
Wildlife Interaction: Meerkats are fully wild and untamed; do not attempt to feed, touch, or handle them.
Luggage Rules: Strictly soft-sided duffel bags only, to allow configuration inside custom 4x4 safari vehicles.

Logistics