In this video, Sumeet and I share our guide to a self-Drive safari in Botswana including itinerary, tips, and costs, and the destinations we're covering, such as Kubu Islands, Nxai Pan, Chobe and Khwai. Whether you're an experienced traveler or planning your first trip, this guide will help all of us navigate the diverse landscapes and vibrant ecosystems of Botswana.

Why Botswana for Our Self-Drive Safari?

Botswana is a dream destination for wildlife enthusiasts, known for its incredible biodiversity and varied landscapes. From the expansive Okavango Delta to the arid Kalahari Desert, this country offers a range of habitats and experiences. For those of us who love wildlife photography, Botswana's self-drive options provide the freedom to explore at our own pace and on our terms.
We've rented our self-drive car from https://bushlore.com/

Our Itinerary: A Step-by-Step Guide

Starting in Maun: Our journey begins in Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, where we'll be taking helicopter ride over the Okavango Delta for some unique perspective. We're booking our helicopter from - https://helicopterhorizons.com/helico...

Khama Rhino Sanctuary: We’ll be spending time at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, tracking rhinos on foot. This sanctuary is unique for allowing close encounters with both black and white rhinos.

Kubu Island: Next, we head to the surreal landscapes of the Kubu Island. We’ll be camping under the stars and capturing the stunning night skies, an experience unlike any other. From Kubu Islands, we'll also drive to the Ntwetwe Pans, where' we'll be spending a couple of days photographing meerkats.

Nxai Pan National Park: At Nxai Pan, we focus on photographing wildlife at the park’s only waterhole, a gathering point for numerous species during the dry season. We’ll discuss our strategy for maximizing wildlife sightings in this unique setting.

Khwai Community Concession: Khwai is a village on the north bank of the Khwai River in the North-West District of Botswana. The river is the northern boundary of the Moremi Game Reserve, and the village is just outside the north gate of the reserve, which is on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta

Chobe National Park: Our journey continues to Chobe National Park, where we’ll switch from a land-based safari to a river-based one, photographing animals from the unique vantage point of a boat on the Chobe River.


Cost Breakdown and Budgeting Tips

Here's a sheet with our detailed trip itinerary, including cost, vehicle rentals, park fees, camping gear, and more. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

I hope this guide inspires you to plan your own self-drive safari in Botswana.

Chapters :

00:00 Introduction
00:52 Why Botswana?
04:00 Where we're going, what we've left out
07:40 Itinerary Details - Maun and the Helicopter ride over the Okavango
09:17 Khama Rhino Sanctuary
10:15 Kubu Island
11:24 Nwetwe Pans and Meerkats
12:35 Naxi Pans
15:48 Khwai Community Concession
17:24 Chone National Park / Boat Rides
19:16 Why are we self-driving?
22:31 Cost comparison - self drive Vs guided tour
23:44 A typical day in a self-drive safari
27:25 Which season are we going in?
28:23 The one or two images we want to make in this trip
32:37 Closure