Set out on an unforgettable African safari in your own Avis 4WD hire vehicle, combining the freedom of self-drive adventure with the reassurance of expert guides. This is a fun, exhilarating way to experience Africa - immersive, comfortable, and wonderfully rewarding.
Botswana is a peaceful and welcoming nation, renowned for its pristine wilderness and exceptional wildlife encounters. It offers some of Africa’s most iconic landscapes, from vast open plains to lush waterways teeming with life. No visit to this region would be complete without witnessing the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, which we’ve included in our journey.
Stay in a carefully chosen mix of comfortable camping and safari lodges as we explore Africa’s most remarkable ecosystems – the vast Kalahari Desert, the surreal Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, and the World Heritage–listed Okavango Delta.
For those who enjoy driving, the 4WD conditions are engaging and rewarding, yet no previous off-road experience is required – This is not a 4WD challenge, but a relaxed safari adventure. Automatic vehicles are recommended, though manual options are available, and our experienced guides are with you throughout to ensure a safe, easy, and thoroughly enjoyable journey.
Self-drive tagalong safaris in Africa are rarely available to the public. This unique experience allows you to get closer to the African bush and its wildlife, in comfort and with an unmatched sense of freedom.
To protect Botswana’s fragile environments, visitor numbers are strictly limited, and our group sizes are kept small. Early booking is essential to secure your place on this exceptional safari adventure.
Live life now, make every safari day fun.
The pans cover 31.000 square km. Once the bed of an ancient lake that dried up thousands of years ago. These shimmering pans are believed to be the biggest in the world.
In the dry season when you are visiting, they will appear hauntingly beautiful in their desolation. In 1970, 4,900 square kms were made National Park. The dry season brings masses of wildebeests and zebra that form part of southern Africa’s last remaining great migration, as they move towards the water and grasses of the Okavango Delta. Lion, cheetah, and hyena closely follow the animal migration.
Established in 1992, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a community-based wildlife project focused on saving endangered rhinoceros, restoring a previously wildlife-rich area, and promoting local economic benefits through sustainable tourism.
Spanning 8,585 hectares of Kalahari Sandveld, the sanctuary is home to white and black rhinos, along with 30+ animal species and 230+ bird species.
Situated on the migration route of large animal herds moving between the Okavango Delta and grasslands in Zimbabwe, the animals you will be looking for include the migrating animals, elephants, wildebeest, zebras, and oryx, plus many full-time residents including lions, cheetah, giraffes, kudus, jackals, springbok, impala, bat eared foxes and ostrich.
Famed for its abundant elephant herds, the Okavango offers an impressive array of wildlife across its diverse regions. Expect sightings of cape buffalo, Burchell’s zebra, giraffes, baboons, warthogs, vervet monkeys, jackals, lions, honey badgers, banded mongooses, and, with luck, cheetahs on the open flood plains. Leopards are often spotted, near our camp in the Khwai area.
The wildlife list extends to wild dogs, hyenas, hippos, and 19 species of antelope, ranging from the 700kg Eland to the 7kg Sharpe’s grysbok. Your days and nights are certain to deliver captivating wildlife encounters.
The bird life is equally remarkable, featuring over 400 recorded species. The ever-present lilac-breasted roller adds bursts of colour to every scene, and the varied habitats, from grasslands to forests and scrub areas, contribute to the diverse avian population. Witnessing the majestic fish eagle swooping down to collect a fish from a waterhole or river is an unforgettable safari moment.
Hire of a 2.2 litre auto or manual, airconditioned, 4WD Avis safari vehicle fully kitted for camping, including bed linen, duvet, pillows, pillow slips and towels.
Standard insurance for vehicle. Refundable deposit of ZAR30,000 per vehicle payable direct. Insurance is upgradable to reduce deposit
Post-tour vehicle cleaning fees
All road taxes, park entry and camp fees as per itinerary
Fully escorted by Back Track Safari Hosts from Johannesburg - Tips included
Meals included as per itinerary
6 nights twin share accommodation in 3/4-star lodges and hotels as per itinerary
Transfers as per itinerary
International flights are not included in the price. Please let us know if you would like us to look in to that for you
Additional pre-/post-tour accommodation not included in itinerary
Meals not included on itinerary. There is opportunities to cook your own meals as a group around the campfires
Passport and Visa costs
Fuel and upgraded vehicle insurance
International travel insurance
Please consult your GP for medical advise
Tipping in lodges and restaurants - 10% of purchase price is standard
Stay at City Lodge at OR Tambo International Airport.
Group briefing at hotel in evening
Hotel Stay
Collect Avis hire vehicle
Supermarket visit for supplies
Campsite Stay
Breakfast and Dinner included
Highway drive. (270km / 3 hrs)
Border crossing
community-based wildlife project
Campsite Stay
Dinner included
Sealed road drive (340km / 5hrs)
Visit Kubu Island
Campsite Stay
Dinner included
Travel on Sealed road and 4wd tracks. (245km / 4hrs)
Crossing the salt pans.
Campsite Stay
Make your own meals
Route choice depends on track conditions. 4wd tracks. (160km / 5hrs)
Migration route of Large animal herds
Campsite Stay
Dinner included
Sealed road and 4wd tracks. (110km / 3.5hrs)
Gateway to Okavango Delta ecosystems
Refuel and resupply
Make our own meals
Sealed road and 4wd tracks. (175km / 4hrs)
Close wildlife encounters
Kaziikini Community Campsite
Dinner Included
Short 4wd drive day (65km / 2hrs)
Explore the area, Possible boat tour option
Kaziikini Community Campsite
Dinner Included
4WD tracks. (120km / 6hrs)
Lodge activities include game drives
Saguni Lodge Stay
Lunch and Dinner Included
4wd tracks. (60km / 2hrs)
Lodge activities include game drives. Possible canoe (mokoro) option
Saguni Lodge Stay
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
4wd tracks
Explore for wildlife
Magotho Community Campsite Stay
Breakfast and Dinner Included
4wd tracks. (10km /1hr)
Explore for wildlife
Thobolo's Lodge Campsite Stay
Dinner Included
4wd tracks. (160km / 4.5hrs)
Gateway to Okavango Delta
Thebe Safari Lodge Campsite Stay
Make our own meals
4wd tracks and sealed road (110km / 4rs)
Morning option-Chobe National Park River drive.
Afternoon option-Chobe River cruise
Thebe Safari Lodge Campsite Stay
Make our own meals
4wd tracks and sealed road
Leave Vehicles, cross border to Victoria falls
N1 Hotel Stay
Make our own meals
No driving
Free day for optional tours and sightseeing
N1 Hotel Stay
Breakfast Included
No Driving
Cross the border back to Botswana and collect vehicles
Refuel and resupply
Thebe Lodge Campsite Stay
Breakfast Included
No Driving
Elephant interactions
Elephant Sands Lodge. Campsite Stay
Make our own Meals
Sealed road, (260km / 3hrs)
Nature reserve with optional walks
Local Community Campsite Stay
Dinner Included
Highway drive(430km / 6hrs)
Return vehicles to depot
Farewell lunch at Safari Leaders Home
City Lodge at OR Tambo International Airport
Lunch Included
Sealed roads (520km / 6hrs)
Farewell new found friends
Depart Johannesburg
