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Botswana 4X4 Wildlife Safari
incl fully equipped 4X4 expedition vehicle for each couple
21 July - 4 August 2025
If you want to experience the very best that Southern Africa has to offer, then this unique fully catered 4X4 wildlife safari will suit you perfectly. With an emphasis on close-up big game viewing, prepare to be mesmerised, as you see the Big 5 in their natural habitat, the bushveld of Africa. We fly into Gaborone, where our fully equipped 4X4 camper vehicles await and, after stocking up on food and provisions, we head off into the African bush in search of the Big 5, on this epic wildlife safari adventure. Our route takes us through the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, homeland of the San and one of the planet's last remaining true desert wildernesses. We explore Deception Valley with its profusion of wildlife, seeking out the unique black-maned Kalahari lions. Thereafter we head up north towards the Okavango Delta, via the bustling safari town of Maun, where we replenish supplies. On we go, to Moremi National Park, famed for its vast and varied wildlife, where one is virtually guaranteed to encounter the Big 5, often at very close range. Continuing our clockwise circuit of the country, we travel east via Nxai Pan National Park, for yet more wonderful wildlife, before taking a luxurious stop at the renowned Elephant Sands resort, after which we return to Gaborone. This is a camping-based trip, sleeping in roof-tents on vehicles provided. Fully catered as always, and also including outdoor adventure activities.
Start - we meet at Gaborone Airport on the morning of Day 1, where our fully equipped 4X4 camper vehicles await. Your booking includes a vehicle.
Finish - we depart from Gaborone Airport in the late afternoon of Day 15.
Included - full catering 3 meals per day for the duration of the tour, outdoor adventure activities as detailed in the itinerary, fully equipped 4X4 camper vehicle for each booking, all campsite fees throughout, all entry fees to the National Parks and Game Reserves. Please note flights are not included.
As the guide, my African heritage benefits my clients - I spent the first 20 years of my life in Southern Africa, including 2 years as bush Ops Medic in Ovamboland, so I speak the local languages, and I am familiar with the local customs and cultures, all distinct advantages.
Prices - are per person based on two adults @ £4,595 p.p., additional adult @ 50%, single supplement @ 50%, child U16 @ 50%.
Highlights - A complete and intrepid traversal of the Central Kalahari, encompassing Khutse Game Reserve, Moreswe Pan, Molose Pan, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Mahurushele Pan, San Bushmen Villages, Khankhe Pan, Piper’s Pan, Deception Valley, Letiahau Pan, Matswere. An interesting visit to the frontier safari town of Maun, from where we enjoy a Mokoro Safari in the Okavango Delta, time spent exploring the spectacular flora and fauna of the south eastern region of the Okavango, including the fabulous Moremi National Park, where we will enjoy whole day game drives including lunchtime picnics in the wild, Third Bridge, Fourth Bridge & Khwai Bridge, Nxai Pan, Baines’ Baobabs, Elephant Sands. All in all, this trip represents an outstanding, and cost effective, way to experience a real African Big Game Safari!
Similar Tour - Namibia 4X4 Safari (also 15 days, fully catered and including outdoor adventure activities)
Previous participants' reviews of this tour
"Very capably led through the Central Kalahari with great food throughout. Active 4X4 Adventures will definitely get you to some wild places! An adventure of a lifetime." Chris & Kira Dow
"Having come across Active 4X4 Adventures on Facebook, I was a little concerned about how legitimate it was. I made contact, and my mind was completely put at ease, after a really informative conversation with Barrie. I booked the Botswana 4X4 Safari that took place 16-30 August 2024. The communication prior to the trip was excellent, and the trip started as planned, with us all meeting up at the airport in Gaborone. The vehicles were waiting, and a full demonstration of the equipment was given. We then set off for the Kalahari Desert, and up to the game reserves in the North. Over the next 14 days we travelled and camped in a variety of fantastic settings, some remote, and some with excellent facilities. The wildlife was amazing, and Barrie proved to be very knowledgeable on what we were seeing, and the local history. Meals were produced with tasty lunches followed by a variety of evening meals, sometimes cooked on a 'braai' over wood fire embers. The standard of food certainly exceeded my expectations. There were a couple of glitches in the planned activities (we were in Africa after all), but these were quickly resolved, and alternative activities organised, which were as good, if not better, than the original plans (Mokoro River Safari in place of River Boat Cruise). I would recommend everyone to add Africa to their must-do list, and this trip met all the expectations I had, especially as we stayed away from the busy tourist hot spots, and were immersed in the true African Bush." Ken Weatherstone
"This was our second trip this year with Barrie and Botswana did not disappoint. Wild camping, open fires and sleeping under the stars created memories we will cherish." Mark & Nicola Hannaford
"Of all the places to visit on planet Earth, Botswana & Namibia must be on everyone's list. We stood on the ground of our ancient ancestors, looked at the animals they hunted, cooked on open fires in much the same way they did, under similar starry night skies, whilst talking about the day, and the anticipation of what was to come. And what did come? One 'wow' factor after another. What a magical trip."
Melvyn Langford & Lawrie Bowden
"This is a terrific tour for the adventure seeking traveller who has always wanted to see the broad stretches of Southern Africa, and its amazing variety of wildlife. The trip consisted of about three quarters of the nights camping under the stars, in private campgrounds with shower and toilet facilities, and one quarter of the time luxuriating in lodge accommodations. We especially looked forward to the evening campfire to banter about the day's exploits, hear lectures by our guides, laugh and just plain enjoy the fire and stars. Donna was the one who really wanted to see the wildlife and Africa but I reluctantly came along. Lo and behold I loved it! The local people, the animals, the scenery in the Okavango and Namibia, and especially our fellow travellers, all made for an exceptional trip." Clark & Donna Bowen
"A big thank you for organising a great trip. Although some of the days were spent on hours of driving, it gave a true sense of the immensity of the continent, and we wouldn't have wanted to miss a single one of the places that we camped and stayed at. The game viewing was phenomenal, and we were particularly pleased to have got our Big Five. An excellent addition to your 4X4 tour portfolio."
Sue Cooke & John Scott
"We had a great time. Barrie organised a very good trip. We experienced and saw a lot of Southern Africa, from the wildlife, the people and the amazing scenery. The campsites and lodges we stayed at were great. Great company in the evening around the campfire. Our local guides were fantastic, very knowledgeable, the traditional food they cooked was fantastic, it was like home cooking. We came home from the trip wanting to do more in Southern Africa." Hugh & Jane Houlbrook
"What a great trip, well up to Barrie's standards. Africa is such a big continent, which meant some long drives, but the campsites, lodges and food at the end of the day were second to none. From the Salt Pans to the Victoria Falls, the River Cruises to the Wild Life Reserves (where we searched for our own animals) they were all interesting, amazing, exciting and sometimes breathtaking. The dry river beds of Damaraland and the tree houses on the Okavango River will always be a great memory, as will meeting the wonderfully helpful local people while shopping for supplies and diesel. The holiday was made especially enjoyable by the good company of our fellow travellers. We are now looking forward to our next trip with Barrie in the Spring." John & Claire Wardle