Africa

Botswana Trans Kalahari Safari

13 Days. From USD $2,131pp.
Details

Overview

Embark on an extraordinary journey, camping through the heart of Botswana's diverse landscapes. Traverse the ethereal expanse of the Makgadikgadi Pans, where ancient salt flats meet vast open horizons, offering a surreal experience like no other. Delve into the Okavango Delta's watery wonderland, where meandering channels and lush islands teem with wildlife, inviting you to explore its intricate ecosystem. Discover the untamed beauty of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, a vast wilderness that captivates with its stark desert scenery and the chance to encounter rare wildlife species.

Limited participation:

On our camping safaris we will require some participation during the tour. This includes putting up and taking down your tent (your trusty guides are never to far away to lend a helping hand), packing and unpacking the vehicle and a some help with the meals on the tour. The guides do all of the provisioning, meal planning and cooking, but a bit of help with preparation before and cleaning up after the meal is always appreciated. Our guides are phenomenal “bush chefs” and you will be amazed at the variety of the meals they will present to you. They are also well trained in catering for special diets.

For a limited time only, book 2026 at 2025 prices!

Itinerary Highlights

  • Makgadikgadi Pans – Kubu Island
  • Okavango Delta – mekoro excursion
  • Central Kalahari Game Reserve
  • Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Itinerary in Brief

  • Day 1: Johannesburg - Goo Moremi Gorge
  • Day 2: Kubu Island
  • Day 3: Gweta - Makgadikgadi Pans
  • Day 4: Maun
  • Day 5 -7: Okavango Delta
  • Day 8-11: Central Kalahari Game Reserve
  • Day 12: Khama Rhino Sanctuary
  • Day 13: Johannesburg - Tour Ends

Travelling with Eclipse

Peace of Mind
  • Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
  • 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
  • We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
  • No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
  • Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
  • Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
  • We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
  • Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
  • Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
  • Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
  • Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.

Day 1: Johannesburg - Goo Moremi Gorge

Departing Johannesburg we head north to Goo-Moremi campsite on day 1 of our journey, as venture into the heart of Botswana's wilderness. We travel through breathtaking landscapes as we make our way to the enchanting Goo-Moremi campsite, where we explore the gorge, its rich cultural and spiritual heritage, its waterfalls and if lucky see vultures in the colony on foot.

Day 2: Kubu Island

Kubu Island is a remarkable granite rock formation located in Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans, known for its stunningly flat and desolate landscape, surrounded by a vast salt pan and characterized by its eerie beauty. After breakfast we transfer into our open 4wd safari vehicle and head off the beaten track to explore this area of baobab trees and salt pans. The flat landscape, and incredible stary skies offer incredible photo opportunities during the day and night. We explore the granite rock formations and interesting fauna and flora of the area on foot.

Day 3: Gweta - Makgadikgadi Pans

We skirt the edges of the vast Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, making our way up to Gweta where we spend the night at Planet Baobab Campsite. The Makgadikgadi Pans are the world's largest salt pans, covering 30,000 sq kms, formed from the remnants of a large inland lake that dried up thousands of years ago. Home to a variety of wildlife including large herds of Zebra and wildebeest and migratory birds. Enjoy an evening under the stars.

Day 4: Maun

We have a slow morning allowing time for the optional (own expense) meerkat activity. The meerkat adventure gets us into the middle of the comical antics of the meerkats. The meerkats live in family groups along the edge of the salt pans, and we have the opportunity to get close observing and engaging with habituated meerkats in the habitat. We make our way towards Maun arriving mid-afternoon where we have time to resupply in preparation for our next few days in the Okavango. An optional (own expense) game flight over the Okavango, which will reveal a different aspect of the delta. We set up camp and enjoy an evening meal at a local restaurant (own expense).

Day 5 -6: Okavango Delta

Our local guides will take us deep into the heart of the Okavango Delta on mekoro (dugout canoes). The delta forms as water flows from the Angolan highlands out over the Botswanan flat Kalahari Desert sands creating a delicate, green oasis for birds & wildlife. We will camp wild on remote islands in this amazingly dynamic environment & enjoy bush walks, bird watching & swimming in the clear water. Camping with our local guides we learn more about their lifestyle & culture. We return to Maun in the late afternoon of day 7 and overnight in the campsite with good, comfortable facilities.

Day 7: Okavango Delta

We return to Maun in the late afternoon of day 7 and overnight in the campsite with good, comfortable facilities.

Day 8-11: Central Kalahari Game Reserve

The name 'Kalahari" conjures up images of wide-open grassy plans, dry river beds, hardy wildlife and of course the famed black-maned Kalahari Lions. You will not be disappointed! The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is the largest, most remotely situated reserve in Southern Africa, and the second-largest wildlife reserve in the world, encompassing 52 800 sq kms. Nothing prepares you for the immensity of this reserve or its wild, mysterious beauty. There is an impression of unending space, and having the entire reserve to yourself. We journey to the northern section of the CKGR, spending four days exploring this remote wilderness of rolling grasslands occasional sand dunes and fossilized river valleys. Including the iconic areas of Deception Valley and Leopard Pan. These areas offer good game viewing. The roads are sandy and heavy going, so be prepared for some long travelling days, but this is more than worthwhile because of the amazing environment that you are travelling through.

Day 12: Khama Rhino Sanctuary

The Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust is a community based wildlife project established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhino, restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its previous natural state and provide economic benefits to the local Botswana community through tourism and the sustainable use of natural resources. This reserve situated on the Kalahari sandveld, has several natural waterholes and provides prime habitat for white rhino, zebra and wildebeest.

Day 13: Johannesburg - Tour Ends

Tour ends in Johannesburg at the airport at 17:00 on day 14.

DatesFromSpecial Offer
02 Feb 2025 - 14 Feb 2025USD$2131ppContact us
02 Mar 2025 - 14 Mar 2025USD$2131ppContact us
13 Apr 2025 - 25 Apr 2025USD$2131ppContact us
18 May 2025 - 30 May 2025USD$2131ppContact us
08 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025USD$2131ppContact us
06 Jul 2025 - 18 Jul 2025USD$2131ppContact us
17 Aug 2025 - 29 Aug 2025USD$2131ppContact us
14 Sep 2025 - 26 Sep 2025USD$2131ppContact us
09 Nov 2025 - 21 Nov 2025USD$2131ppContact us
29 Mar 2026 - 10 Apr 2026USD$2131ppFor a limited time only, book 2026 at 2025 prices!
26 Apr 2026 - 08 May 2026USD$2131ppFor a limited time only, book 2026 at 2025 prices!
17 May 2026 - 29 May 2026USD$2131ppFor a limited time only, book 2026 at 2025 prices!
07 Jun 2026 - 19 Jun 2026USD$2131ppFor a limited time only, book 2026 at 2025 prices!
05 Jul 2026 - 17 Jul 2026USD$2131ppFor a limited time only, book 2026 at 2025 prices!
16 Aug 2026 - 28 Aug 2026USD$2131ppFor a limited time only, book 2026 at 2025 prices!
13 Sep 2026 - 25 Sep 2026USD$2131ppFor a limited time only, book 2026 at 2025 prices!
08 Nov 2026 - 20 Nov 2026USD$2131ppFor a limited time only, book 2026 at 2025 prices!

** Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.

** Single supplements may apply

Suggested Accommodation
CityAccommodation
Moremi Gorge Goo-Moremi Campsite or similar
Makgadikgadi Pans Campsite or similar
Gweta Planet Baobab or similar
Maun Campsite or similar
Okavango Delta Campsite or similar
Central Kalahari Game Reserve Campsite or similar
Khama Rhino Sanctuary Campsite or similar

Whats included?

  • Camping accommodation: 5 nights in designated campsites with toilet and shower facilities + 7 nights "camping wild" in wilderness areas where the crew constructs a bucket shower & pit latrine
  • Hotel taxes
  • Entrance fees
  • Tours with English-speaking guides
  • Transport in custom-built safari vehicles
  • Meals as specified: 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 10 dinners will be provided by the crew, prepared at the vehicle and eaten around the camp fire or in a boma

What’s not included?

  • International Airfares
  • Internal airfares
  • Airport entrance/departure taxes
  • Passport, visa, and immigration fees
  • Additional hotel nights
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Travel Protection Plan
  • Gratuities
  • Any items not mentioned as included

Notes

  • Limited participation:
    On our camping safaris we will require some participation during the tour. This includes putting up and taking down your tent (your trusty guides are never to far away to lend a helping hand), packing and unpacking the vehicle and a some help with the meals on the tour. The guides do all of the provisioning, meal planning and cooking, but a bit of help with preparation before and cleaning up after the meal is always appreciated. Our guides are phenomenal “bush chefs” and you will be amazed at the variety of the meals they will present to you. They are also well trained in catering for special diets.

Price Assurance

At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.

Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.

Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.

Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!

Destination: Africa

From its endless deserts and burning sunsets, to its abundance of wildlife and diversity of culture, the African Safari has it all. There is nowhere else on the planet with such incredible natural beauty and rich traditions than Africa. Discover your own Africa with a tailored tour through some of the most dynamic and stunningly beautiful natural landscapes the world has to offer.

Downloadable travel guide

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Botswana Trans Kalahari Safari

13 Days. From USD $2,131pp.