11-Day Affordable Camping Safari in Botswana

This 11-day Affordable Camping Safari in Botswana is a journey from Maun to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), traversing wildlife-rich hotspots such as Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Nxai Pan National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, and the Khwai Concession. These magnificent regions boast breathtaking landscapes and premier wildlife sightings. Experience the wilds of Botswana by camping beneath the stars.

The itinerary summarized for you is: 11-Day Affordable Camping Safari in Botswana

Day 1: Arrival in Maun
Day 2–4: Maun to Deception Valley (Central Kalahari Game Reserve)
Day 5–6: Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Days 7-8: Moremi Game Reserve
Days 9–10: Khwai Concession
Day 11: Khwai Concession to Maun

Detailed Itinerary: 11-Day Affordable Camping Safari in Botswana

Day 1: Arrival in Maun

Upon arrival in Maun, you will be greeted by your safari guide and transferred to a comfortable lodge in the city, where you will spend one night. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure, allowing you to relax or explore Maun and its various activities. Please note that lunch and dinner are not included.

Primary Destination: Maun (City)
Lodging: Crocodile Camp Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: All-Inclusive

Day 2–4: Maun to Deception Valley (Central Kalahari Game Reserve)

After a leisurely breakfast at your lodge, you will journey to Deception Valley in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Here, you will be immersed in the stunning landscapes of ancient riverbeds, dunes, and the diverse wildlife of Botswana’s Kalahari Desert. Your days will be filled with game drives to discover the area, and camping at private, designated sites.

A light early morning breakfast sets the stage for your game drives in Deception Valley, a “waterless oasis” named for its riverbed that creates a mirage of water. The mature woodlands here are a haven for wildlife, attracting large herds of greater kudu, red hartebeest, springbok, gemsbok, and eland, as well as predators such as caracal, Cape fox, lion, cheetah, and brown hyena, which you are likely to spot during your morning and afternoon game drives.

Primary Destination: Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Lodging: Budget camping
Meal Plan: All-Inclusive

11-Day Affordable Camping Safari in Botswana | Khwai Concession

Day 5–6: Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

The following two nights will be spent camping and exploring the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, a truly unique safari destination in Botswana. The summer months bring the migration of zebra and wildebeests, attracting predators to the area. Regular sightings include lions and cheetahs, and with the recent addition of pumped pans, elephants are becoming increasingly common.

Primary Destination: Makgadikgadi Pans

Lodging: Economical camping options

Meal Plan: All-Inclusive

Days 7-8: Moremi Game Reserve

A light early morning breakfast sets the stage for your game drives across the Moremi Game Reserve, a premier wilderness area in Botswana known for its diverse landscapes, including marshes and arid zones.

Over the following two days, you will embark on a quest to observe the vast array of wildlife and avian species that make this area famous, all while immersing yourself in the natural sounds and scenic beauty of the region. Your camping experience will be enhanced by staying at private, designated campsites.

The game drives will navigate through the most picturesque locales of the park, such as Xini, Black Pools, Xakanaxa, and the Third Bridge. These areas are teeming with wildlife, offering excellent opportunities to spot elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, and a variety of antelopes, including the red lechwe and sitatunga, an amphibious antelope well-suited to swampy habitats, alongside an extensive array of bird species. The African wild dog, which is increasingly rare in other regions, is frequently observed within the Moremi Game Reserve.

Primary Destination: Moremi Game Reserve (Okavango Delta)

Lodging: Economical camping options

Meal Plan: All-Inclusive

Days 9–10: Khwai Concession

Situated just beyond the northeastern edge of the Moremi Game Reserve, the Khwai area provides unparalleled wildlife experiences, including exceptional bird-watching prospects. Visitors can indulge in extensive game viewing, with the unique option of night game drives, as a diverse array of animals congregates around the numerous watering holes and along the Khwai River. This region, abundant in wildlife, stands out as one of Botswana’s prime locations for observing African wild dogs and a variety of other predators. The absence of fences between these territories means that virtually all species found in northern Botswana can be spotted here.

Main Destination: Khwai Concession (Okavango Delta)

Lodging: Budget camping

Meal Plan: All-Inclusive

Day 11: Khwai Concession to Maun

This morning, savour a leisurely light breakfast amidst the awe-inspiring natural beauty for the final time before your departure to Maun. The safari concludes as your guide facilitates your transfer to Maun International Airport.

Primary Destination: Maun (City)

Meal Plan: Breakfast Included