Drifters Botswana Explorer 2027

Drifters' tours are full of adventure. The overland safari operator has been one of the largest and most renowned in southern Africa for over 40 years. The Botswana safari starts as a classic camping tour in tents for two and as an Explorer Tour in permanent accommodation. This tour description corresponds to the Explorer Tour.

You stay in comfortable fixed rooms or tent suites with fixed beds and your own bathroom/WC. Bed linen and towels are always provided. All travelers should have a certain open-minded attitude. This is not a typical hotel bus tour. Single travelers may have to share a room with a fellow traveler of the same sex; a single room (optional) is also available on request. Transportation is by non-air-conditioned safari truck.

The tour language is English and the group is international. The age structure is between 18 and around 55 years. The maximum number of participants is 16 with an average of 10 people per tour. Unlike many other safari providers, Drifters does not charge a local payment or food kitty. All services included in the tour are booked and paid for in advance. Only optional activities and meals not included must be paid for directly on site.

Flights are not included in this tour. Upon request, we’d be happy to arrange suitable flights, airport transfers that fit your tour schedule, and pre- or post-tour accommodations. Since Drifters tours typically start early in the morning and don’t return until late afternoon, you should book at least one night’s stay at the starting point and one night’s stay at the destination to ensure you don’t miss the tour start or your return flight. Optionally, the tour can end on Day 13 in Maun; please feel free to contact us regarding this.

2027 Departure Dates and Prices (PDF) (departs on select Fridays)

Join Drifters on a 15-day overland adventure through Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa—a journey that takes you deeper into the heart of wild Africa day by day. From the banks of the Zambezi River in Livingstone to the golden glow of Johannesburg, this Pioneer tour offers a fascinating blend of iconic wildlife, vast landscapes, and authentic cultural encounters. In Livingstone, you’ll discover the wildlife of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and, of course, the world-famous Victoria Falls. Chobe National Park is home to one of the largest elephant populations on Earth. From there, the journey continues to the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, a surreal expanse with shimmering white horizons and an ancient silence. Maun, the safari capital, serves as the gateway to the legendary Okavango Delta. The adventure reaches its climax in the Khwai Concession and the Moremi Game Reserve: Four days of intensive wildlife viewing offer up-close encounters with predators, elephants, and massive herds roaming through the untouched wilderness. You’ll camp under the starry sky while the sounds of Africa echo through the darkness. The return journey takes you across the Kalahari to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary—an impressive conservation project dedicated to protecting endangered rhinos through the efforts of the local community.

Day 1 Livingstone
You can choose to fly into either Livingstone or Victoria Falls and arrange a transfer to the lodge (at your own expense), where you’ll meet up with the rest of your group. Our cozy accommodations for the next three nights are situated in a stunning location right on the banks of the Zambezi River. While many visitors stay in the town of Victoria Falls, Livingstone offers a more authentic and relaxed way to experience the region; here, travelers can often enjoy the area’s highlights away from the large tourist crowds. Settle in at the lodge this evening and get to know your fellow travelers. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the lodge’s restaurant as the roar of the mighty Victoria Falls echoes through the night, setting the perfect mood for the extraordinary journey ahead.
Overnight stay with half board at the Victoria Falls Waterfront Lodge or similar.

Day 2 Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
The day begins with breakfast at the lodge before you set out for an immersive nature experience in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Enjoy wildlife viewing, followed by an unforgettable guided walking safari where you’ll have the opportunity to track down the critically endangered rhinos. After a picnic lunch, you’ll have free time at the lodge. The afternoon transitions into a relaxing sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi River, where drinks (at your own expense) and a spectacular backdrop round out the day. You’ll have dinner at the lodge’s restaurant or at a nearby hotel (at your own expense).
Overnight stay with breakfast and lunch at the Victoria Falls Waterfront Lodge or similar.

Day 3 Victoria Falls
After breakfast,the morning is devoted to a guided exploration of the natural wonder that is Victoria Falls—known to locals on the Zambian side as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” (which means “the smoke that thunders”). You’ll have plenty of free time to enjoy the falls at your own pace or—for different perspectives—to shuttle back and forth between Zambia and Zimbabwe (a multiple-entry visa is required for this). Adventure seekers can independently book a range of optional adrenaline-pumping activities (at their own expense) in both countries. Tailor your experience at Victoria Falls entirely to your own preferences. In the evening, you’ll be taken to a local restaurant in Livingstone for dinner (at your own expense) and then brought back.
Overnight stay with breakfast at the Victoria Falls Waterfront Lodge or similar.

Day 4 Chobe National Park (approx. 80 km)
After breakfast, you’ll cross the border into Botswana via the impressive Kazungula Bridge at the famous Kazungula Quadripoint; this is widely regarded as the only place in the world where four countries—Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe—meet at a single point. In the afternoon, you’ll arrive at your lodge in Kasane, where the Chobe River and the surrounding wilderness provide the backdrop for your upcoming adventures. Settle in, relax, and reflect on the day’s discoveries before enjoying a delicious dinner atthe lodge’s restaurant.
Overnight stay with half board at Thebe River Safari Lodge or similar.

Day 5 Makgadikgadi Salt Pans (approx. 400 km)
After breakfast, you’ll embark on an unforgettable boat safari on the Chobe River. Chobe National Park, home to more than 50,000 elephants, offers one of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife experiences. The up-close encounters and the ever-changing river landscape ensure an intense and unforgettable safari experience. We then continue south toward Nata. This small settlement is best known for its proximity to the legendary Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the largest salt flats on Earth, where endless horizons and shimmering landscapes create an almost otherworldly atmosphere. From shimmering mirages hovering over pale, moon-like landscapes to lush grassy plains blooming after the rain—the silent vastness and intense colors will touch you deeply. We’ll enjoy dinner at our lodge’s restaurant.
Overnight stay with full board at Elephant Sands Lodge or similar.

Day 6 Maun (approx. 220 km)
After breakfast, we’ll take a brief detour to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The journey continues with a guided walk through the village of Chanoga near Maun—an authentic rural community rarely visited by tourists. Accompanied by a local, you’ll gain a genuine insight into everyday life in Botswana; here, traditions are still deeply valued, and community, family, and a connection to the land shape the rhythm of life. Upon arrival at Drifters Maun Lodge, our tranquil lodge right on the Boteti River, you’ll enjoy a light lunch before spending the afternoon at your leisure. Relax by the pool, take a stroll along the riverbank, or simply soak up the peaceful atmosphere. Since the water draws animals to the shore, you can often spot hippos, other wildlife, and a rich variety of birdlife right from the lodge grounds. At sunset, meet in the restaurant for dinner and share stories about another extraordinary day of travel.
Overnight stay with full board at Drifters Maun Lodge or similar.

Days 7 and 8: Okavango Delta (approx. 40 km to the airfield, flight in a light aircraft)
We set out early on our journey by light aircraftto the Okavango Delta, a unique natural phenomenon. The Okavango River, which originates in the highlands of central Angola far to the northwest, flows south and east before finally seeping into the sands of the Makgadikgadi Pan. Between its source and its mouth lies an enchanting inland delta—the only one of its kind on our planet. Glide through the labyrinth of waterways and lagoons in a mokoro with your local guide and watch elephants wading through the floodplains. Here, the buzzing of dragonflies mingles with the splashing of hippos—and you have a front-row seat to this natural spectacle. Go on hikes on uninhabited islands, enjoy a picnic in the wilderness, a relaxing sunset boat ride, or a helicopter sightseeing flight (at your own expense).
2 nights’ accommodation with full board at Guma Lagoon Camp or similar.

Days 9–12: Khwai Concession (light aircraft flight)
After a hearty breakfast, we board the light aircraft and set off for our remote camp on the banks of the Mbudi River. This four-day flexible safari takes us into another world—right into the heart of the protected wilderness of the Khwai Concession or the Moremi Game Reserve. Imagine herds of elephants passing by and leopards lying in wait in the dappled shade, or witness the drama of hunting lions, cheetahs in a blistering sprint, and the mesmerizing dance of zebras and elegant antelopes on the savanna. This four-night safari with daily game drives is a spontaneous adventure that follows the animals’ seasonal migrations. We spend long, relaxed hours at hiding spots and waterholes, traveling with local guides in well-equipped, open-top safari vehicles. After a day full of exciting experiences, we return to our camp—a true oasis—at sunset. There, a cool drink and a crackling campfire await us, its flames already dancing vividly and setting the mood for the stories we’ll share as darkness falls.
4 nights’ accommodation with full board at Drifters Khwai Tented Camp or similar

Day 13 Maun (approx. 190 km)
Enjoy your last morning in the wilderness as we leave the Khwai Concession at a leisurely pace. This gives you plenty of time to admire the stunning landscapes and wildlife that make this region so unique. As we leave the untouched wilderness behind, the landscape gradually changes: the water-rich, species-rich ecosystems of the Okavango Delta give way to the drier savanna landscapes around Maun. After arriving, you’ll have time to explore the town and enjoy a leisurely lunch (at your own expense). Reflect on your unforgettable wildlife encounters and wilderness experiences. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a hearty dinner at the lodge, followed by laughter and stories over drinks inthe cozy bar atmosphere.
Overnight stay with half board at Drifters Maun Lodge or similar.

Day 14 Khama Rhino Sanctuary (approx. 485 km)
After a hearty breakfast in Maun, we set off southward into the vast expanses of the Kalahari. The drive takes us through a varied landscape of open savanna, bushland, and scattered acacia trees. As we cover kilometer after kilometer, the landscape becomes drier and more expansive—the perfect prelude to our arrival at one of Botswana’s most important nature reserves. The Khama Rhino Sanctuary is an impressive example of community-based conservation in action. Founded in 1992, this 8,585-hectare sanctuary was established to save the critically endangered rhino, restore the natural ecosystem, and provide a source of income for the local population through responsible tourism. In the afternoon, we’ll go on a game drive in an open-top SUV, keeping an eye out for white and black rhinos, as well as zebras, giraffes, antelopes, and a diverse array of birdlife. To round out the day, we’ll enjoy a final dinner with our tour guides, surrounded by the sounds of the bush and the quiet anticipation of another night in the wilderness.
Overnight stay with full board at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary or similar.

Day 15 Johannesburg (approx. 600 km)
Today’s route takes us through the vast, magnificent plains of the Kalahari—a sight that never fails to take your breath away—to the Stockpoort border crossing on the border with South Africa. We continue south through South Africa’s thorn bush savanna and follow a scenic route through the Waterberg Mountains before immersing ourselves in the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg—the economic heart of Africa and the “Golden City.” The tour ends in the late afternoon with our arrival in Johannesburg. We recommend not booking a flight for that day, as an exact arrival time cannot be guaranteed.

Included in the price:

• 14 nights in lodges or permanent tent suites in the Classic **/*** category
• 14 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 12 dinners
• non-air-conditioned safari truck
• English-speaking tour guides
• Activities and admission fees as listed in the program
• two flights in a light aircraft
• Information package via email
• On-site 24-hour hotline
• Travel insurance certificate

Not included in the price:

• Long-haul flights (can be booked separately upon request)
• Meals listed as optional
• Activities and admission fees listed as optional
• Airport Transfer in Livingstone
• other personal expenses and tips
• Visa fees
• personal travel insurance

Included activities:

• Zambezi River Sunset Cruise
• Wildlife Viewing and Rhino Walking Safari in Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park
• Guided tour to Victoria Falls (Zambia)
• Chobe River Boat Safari
• Visit to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
• Visit to Chanoga Village
• Mokoro Tour, Walking Safari, and Boat Safari in the Okavango Delta
• Four full-day game drives in an open-top safari vehicle in the Khwai Concession
• A game drive in an open-top safari vehicle at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Optional activities, payable on site:

• Visit to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
• Adrenaline-Pumping Activities at Victoria Falls
• Helicopter Flight in the Okavango Delta

Important Information:

• All prices listed are subject to availability.
• Children under 12 years of age may not participate.
• We recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance and travel health insurance to cover the costs of assistance, including repatriation in the event of accident, illness or death. We can provide a corresponding offer on request.
• A passport is required for entry. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a visa in advance. Minors under the age of 18 may need to carry additional documents. We will inform you of the specific requirements that apply to you before you book. The countries you will visit are Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa—with Zimbabwe as an optional destination.
• Travelers who have been in an area at risk for yellow fever must provide proof of yellow fever vaccination.
• This tour passes through areas at risk for malaria.