MARVELOUS SALT PAN EXPERIENCE
Overview
Journey across Botswana’s most iconic salt pan landscapes on this 8 day mobile camping safari. From the wildlife-rich Boteti River in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park to the surreal beauty of Nxai Pan, the sacred Kubu Island, and the unforgettable Elephant Sands, this safari blends breathtaking scenery with thrilling wildlife encounters. Guests stay in fully serviced mobile camps and rustic lodges, with all meals, drinks, and activities included.
Perfect for solo adventurers or groups, this itinerary captures the essence of Botswana’s magical salt pans.
Highlights
- Game drives along the Boteti River in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.
- Explore Nxai Pan National Park and the legendary Baines Baobabs.
- Discover the mystical Kubu Island, a national monument and sacred site.
- Experience up-close elephant encounters at Elephant Sands.
- Stay in comfortable mobile camps with expert guiding, delicious meals, and personalized service.
Tour Overview
Availability
All Year
Duration
9Days/8Nights
Pickup Location
Airport Available
Included
- Accommodation is in fully serviced canvas safari tents (dome or Meru-style)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Assorted drinks & bottled water
- Transfers in a 4x4 safari vehicle
- Scheduled game drives & excursions
- Professional guide, chef, and camp assistant
- Park entry fees
- Camping fees
Excluded
- International & regional flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Personal purchases
- Gratuities for staff
- Unexpected fuel/government increases
- Items not specified in the itinerary
Itinerary
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Day 1: Maun to Khumaga (Boteti River)
Meet your guide in Maun and set out on a 140 km drive to Khumaga village, located on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Settle into camp overlooking the Boteti River, where elephants and zebras often gather to drink. After a safari briefing, enjoy your first afternoon game drive into the park before returning for a fireside dinner. (Meals: Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Mobile Camp in Khumaga)
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Day 2: Makgadikgadi Pans National Park Exploration
Spend a full day on game drives along the Boteti River. This area is famous for large herds of zebra during migration season, as well as predators such as lions and spotted hyenas that follow them. Birders will love the variety of raptors and water birds. Return to camp at sunset to enjoy a hearty dinner and stargazing in Botswana’s clear desert skies. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Mobile Camp in Khumaga)
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Day 3: Transfer to Nxai Pan National Park
Depart early for Nxai Pan National Park, a stunning landscape of grasslands and fossil pans. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route and arrive at your campsite by afternoon. After settling in, embark on your first game drive, scanning the open plains for giraffe, springbok, and wildebeest. As dusk falls, return to camp for dinner and an evening around the campfire. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Mobile Camp in Nxai Pan)
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Day 4: Nxai Pan & Baines Baobabs
Wake up to the sound of bird calls and head out for a sunrise game drive. This is the best time to spot predators such as cheetahs hunting on the open plains. Later in the day, visit the iconic Baines Baobabs - a group of ancient trees made famous by explorer Thomas Baines. The scene offers incredible photo opportunities and a sense of timeless wilderness. Return to camp for your final night in Nxai Pan. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Mobile Camp in Nxai Pan)
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Day 5: Journey to Kubu Island
Today’s drive takes you to the mystical Kubu Island, a rocky granite outcrop rising from the Makgadikgadi salt pans. Considered sacred by local communities, the island is also a national monument. Join your guide on a walk across the island, learning about its geology, ancient history, and unique flora. As the sun sets, the baobab silhouettes against the glowing pans create one of Botswana’s most iconic views. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Camp at Kubu Island)
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Day 6: Kubu Island Exploration
Spend a full day soaking in the magic of Lekhubu (Kubu). This is a place of silence and reflection, broken only by the calls of birds and the wind across the pans. Your guide will share stories of the island’s cultural significance, and you’ll have plenty of time for photography, stargazing, or simply enjoying the wilderness around you. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Camp at Kubu Island)
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Day 7: Elephant Sands
Travel north to Elephant Sands, a rustic lodge and campsite famous for its unfenced waterhole, where elephants gather in large numbers. Spend the night in a simple but comfortable camp with unforgettable close-up views of elephants as they drink just meters away from you. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Elephant Sands Campground)
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Day 8: Departure to Maun or Kasane
After breakfast, your guide will transfer you either back to Maun or onward to Kasane, marking the end of your salt pan adventure. (Meals: Breakfast)