7 days Botswana: road trippin’ the north

7 days Botswana: road trippin’ the north

From $2,522 USD* / Wildlife galore / 7 days

*price p.p. incl. guide, safari jeep, hotel and park entrance fees, excl. international flight (based on six persons)

7 days Botswana: road trippin’ the north

Explore Botswana’s magical north during a road trip you’ll never forget. After arriving in Kasane you head straight to the elephant capital of the world, Chobe National Park.

Enjoy the scenic drive and get a first glimpse of the country you’re yet to discover. The next day, you trade the car for a boat and glide down the Chobe River, meeting hippos, crocodiles and countless other animals along the way. The highlight, however, is the elephant population: more than 120,000 elephants play and swim in the river (not all at once), and you’re just a stone’s throw away.

From the Chobe Riverfront it’s a relatively short drive to the other side of the national park, where Savuti awaits you with the entire cast of the Lion King. In this untamed place, they can still roam and fly free.

In between these magical moments, you check into cosy lodges of our silver, gold or platinum category : perfect to relax and unwind.

You’ll spend the last days in the Khwai Community Concession. Led by the indigenous Khwai community, this park puts the protection of the flora and fauna first. Prepare to meet hungry predators, more gentle giants and huge herds of buffalo in a mix of savanna and green lagoons. Before heading back to Kasane, you visit a traditional Khwai village, where you can chat with the locals and learn more about their traditions. Culture, wildlife and nature – what’s not to love?

Upon arrival in each lodge, you can pick two activities to do in this destination (included in your package). They are carried out by the lodge, and you will be joined by other guests, unless you book a private excursion. The links in the daily outlines below give you an idea of what’s possible.

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Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival at Kasane International Airport + Drive from Kasane to Chobe Riverfront
  • Day 2: Chobe Riverfront (Chobe National Park)
  • Day 3: Drive from Chobe Riverfront to Savuti
  • Day 4: Savuti (Chobe National Park)
  • Day 5: Drive from Savuti to the Khwai Community Concession
  • Day 6: Khwai Community Concession
  • Day 7: Drive from the Khwai Community Concession to Kasane + Flight home from Kasane International Airport

Day 1

Arrival at Kasane International Airport

Welcome to Botswana! Kasane International Airport (BBK) is the northern gateway to Botswana’s wilderness and the world-famous Chobe National Park. Just minutes from Kasane town and close to the borders of Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, you’ve arrived in the heart of the legendary Four Corners of Africa. As you descend, keep an eye out for sweeping views of the Chobe River, open floodplains and vast savannah - you often see wildlife even before you touch down. Your private driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall to pick you up and ease you into Botswana’s warm hospitality. This is the start of your safari adventure!

Activities:

Accommodations:

Day 2

Chobe Riverfront (Chobe National Park)

The Chobe Riverfront stretches along the northern boundary of Chobe National Park, where the Chobe River separates Botswana from Namibia. The whole park is home to over 120,000 elephants - the largest remaining population in the world. Still, during the dry season, the herds gather along the riverfront in extraordinary numbers, alongside buffalo and plains game. Game drives along the riverfront put you in the middle of this, while a boat cruise on the Chobe River brings you eye to eye with hippos, crocodiles and elephants swimming, drinking or just bathing in the sun at the water's edge.

Accommodations:

Day 3

Drive from Chobe Riverfront to Savuti

The drive from the Chobe Riverfront to the Savuti covers 80 kilometres and takes two hours, but it’s far more than just a transfer. This is a true bush journey, winding through Chobe’s dense forests toward the Goha Hills Gate, before continuing across deep sandy stretches (particularly in the dry season) and corrugated tracks. The route doubles as an extended game drive, with frequent sightings of elephants, giraffes, and various antelope along the way. As Savuti draws closer, anticipation builds: this predator-rich region is famous for its lions, and you may even spot one before you head out on your first game drive through the iconic marshlands.

Accommodations:

Day 4

Savuti (Chobe National Park)

Savuti is one of Africa's most extraordinary and ever-changing wilderness areas, a vast, ancient landscape in the remote western reaches of Chobe National Park that has captivated explorers and wildlife enthusiasts for generations. Fed by the legendary Savuti Channel, its waters have come and gone over centuries, shaping a dramatic mosaic of dry riverbeds, open grasslands, and seasonal wetlands that draw some of the continent's most spectacular concentrations of wildlife on any game drive. A Savuti Marsh Excursion offers a rare and privileged window into this untamed world!

Accommodations:

Day 5

Drive from Savuti to the Khwai Community Concession

The drive from the Savuti to the Khwai Community Concession takes 4 hours and covers just over 100 kilometres - a gentle reminder that in the bush, distance and time rarely agree. This is not a smooth cruise: expect a slow, bumpy ride over deep sand and uneven tracks, particularly in the dry season, while summer may add a few splashy water crossings for good measure. The reward comes as the landscape shifts from Savuti’s dry plains to the lush riverine scenery of the Khwai River, with excellent chances of spotting elephants, lions, and leopards along the way. Leave Savuti after breakfast, and you should still arrive in time to enjoy your first afternoon game drive in Khwai.

Accommodations:

Day 6

Khwai Community Concession

Wedged between Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve, the Khwai Community Concession is where unfenced wilderness meets community spirit. Think roaming elephants, prowling predators, herds of buffalo and shimmering lagoons -  all wrapped into one spectacular safari playground. Add an amazing game drive, a peaceful mokoro safari in a dugout canoe, and a meaningful encounter with the Khwai village community in the mix, and you’ll have an experience as enriching as it is exhilarating.

Accommodations:

Day 7

Drive from the Khwai Community Concession to Kasane

The drive from the Khwai Concession to Kasane is a 240-kilometre adventure, taking at least 6 hours on sometimes bone-shaking roads (kid you not!). It's a true overland safari, one that rewards patience and some discomfort with unforgettable scenery and a good chance of spotting lions or elephants. Travelling north, the route winds through mopane woodlands before it crosses the wildlife-rich Chobe National Park to reach the Chobe Riverfront near Kasane. Expect deep sand, corrugated tracks and (in the green season) occasional muddy or waterlogged sections. It's a drive that can be exhausting (but worth it!), and it might be wise to add an overnight stop in Kasane before flying home.

Activities:

Make your dream trip come true with Africa Safari Trips

At Africa Safari Trips, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

Request this trip now

Why Africa Safari Trips?

  • We are based in Nairobi (Kenya) and Kampala (Uganda)
  • We offer private safaris
  • We have world class safari guides
  • You get Expert advice
  • Best value for money
  • Own safari vehicles
  • No limit on driving distance
Take a look at our excursions