Our adventure starts on departure from Johannesburg at 06h30. Making our way through the dry thornveld of South Africa's North West Province, we aim to cross the Botswana border near Lobatse. On completion of customs and immigration formalities, we enter the vast Kalahari plains that stretch as far as the eye can see. We will cover quite some distance today before arriving at our accommodation, near the village of Kang. Tonight we enjoy a catered meal while our guide explains the procedure for the days to come. Meals: Lunch and dinner own expense Distance: 720 Km Accommodation: Kalahari Rest Lodge Included Highlights/Activity: - Scenic drive through northwest South Africa - Kalahari Desert Optional Activities: - None, all included

Waking up to a spectacular Kalahari sunrise, we enjoy our first cup of Botswana coffee and a sumptuous breakfast, before continuing to the frontier town of Ghanzi, home to some of the last authentic Bushmen, who continue to make a living in this harsh desert environment. We stay on a game reserve owned and managed by a local Bushman community. Apart from deriving an income from tourism, the property provides the space and habitat for the community to teach their children their customary ways, and to keep their traditions alive. Our experience will include an educational bush walk, led by a member of the community, giving us insight into their daily lives, and teaching us how they survived in these arid conditions. We overnight in comfortable accommodation and are hosted by members of the community. Meals: B L D Distance: 250 km Accommodation: Dqae Qare San Lodge Included Highlights/Activity: - Guided bush walk led by Bushman Optional Activities: - None, all included

The Okavango River, emanating from the highlands of central Angola far to the northwest, flows south- and eastwards, before slowing and spreading into one of the world's only true inland deltas, creating as it does so a unique ecosystem that supports a huge variety of animal and plant life. The sight of a Jacana striding delicately amongst the flowering lilies, the Bee Eater diving to prey on an unsuspecting insect, and of course the familiar cry of the African Fish Eagle - all combine to create the canvas of one of nature's unique masterpieces. The river, eventually spilling its contents into the vast plains of the Makgadikgadi sands, disappears. Our comfortable and well appointed camp on the edge of one of the largest lagoons serves as a base from which we explore. We will glide through narrow reed-lined channels by mokoro, walk on uninhabited islands, and picnic in the wilderness, while learning about the animals and plants of the Delta from local guides who have grown up in the area. Through informal interaction with the guides, we will have the opportunity to learn about the local people and their way of life in this isolated wilderness. We will also have time to simply relax and enjoy the views over a glistening lagoon from a beautiful wooden deck, cold drink in hand, go for a walk with our guide, or take a refreshing dip in the pool. One afternoon we enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise on a boat. A helicopter flip, to see the vastness of the Delta from the air, is recommended (own expense). Meals: B L D; B L D; B L D Distance: 390 km on Day 3 Accommodation: Twin-bedded tented units Included Highlights/Activity: - Okavango Delta - Guided walk in the Delta led by local Motswana guides - Mokoro trip - Sunset boat trip Optional Activities: - Scenic helicopter flight over the Delta

Starting early, we begin our journey toward relative civilisation. This afternoon we arrive in the frontier town - Maun. We will spend some time stocking up on basic supplies, before travelling the short distance out of town to the Drifters Maun Tented Lodge, our stop for the night. The lodge is situated on the banks of the Boteti River. This river is known to change its flow direction, depending upon the season and rainfall patterns. The lodge offers comfortable twin en-suite accommodation, swimming pool, bar, restaurant and birdlife. Meals: B L D Distance: 354 km Accommodation: Drifters Maun Lodge - Twin-bedded en-suite tented units Included Highlights/Activity: - Boteti River Sunset Optional Activities: - None, all included

We enjoy a scrumptious breakfast at the Lodge before departing on the game viewing part of the trip, undoubtedly one of the highlights of the tour. We travel in well-equipped, open 4x4 Land Cruisers, with our local Motswana guides. The 4x4s aren't just for show, as the national parks are truly wild places, the roads just tracks in the sand. We carry only our cameras and day packs, a picnic lunch, and drinks for the road, while a support vehicle goes ahead with our luggage and all the camp equipment. This leaves us free to game drive extensively during the day, to stop at hides and water holes at leisure, and to make the most of our time here. Towards sunset we arrive at our camp in the bush, to find that the support staff have erected our tents, set up bush showers and toilets, and have a friendly campfire going to welcome us. We use exclusive private campsites in the National Parks, which are no more than a GPS point in the bush, completely secluded and undeveloped - it is as if we are the first people here, and are alone in the world. We bring everything we will need with us for a comfortable wilderness experience, and leave nothing behind when we depart. Our route is flexible and depends on the season. An example could be: starting in Moremi Game Reserve, we spend the first night near the well-known Third Bridge. Drift off to sleep to the howl of the distant hyena or the earthy roar of a lion, and even the deep grunt of a half-submerged hippo. We might then head north via Xakanaxa, to camp near North Gate. This area is excellent for game viewing and we will conduct afternoon and morning drives along the wetland areas. Then we might go on up as far as Savuti, an area that offers a multitude of game drive options and is a very active game area (keep the fruit well hidden from the roving elephant, the meat from the prowling hyenas, and everything from the monkeys). The vegetation is constantly changing, from open plains with palm trees, to marshland, to dense Mopane woodlands or Acacia scrub. This variety of habitats makes for excellent game viewing. Our backup crew remain with us throughout, moving the camp for us and doing the required chores, so we can concentrate on the game viewing. Depending on the ever changing conditions in the national parks we might also venture into the vast Central Kalahari Game Reserve or the unique Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Meals: B L D; B L D; B L D; B L D; Distance: +- 125 km Day 7 Accommodation: Fully-serviced camping (camp bed, linen, pillow and sleeping bag provided) Included Highlights/Activity: - 4x4 open vehicle game drives - Private non-fenced campsites - Extensive first-hand game viewing experience - Explore the heart of National Geographic's photography region Optional Activities: - None, all included

Our last morning in the parks, we slowly game drive our way back to Maun. We enjoy an own-expense lunch, and have some time to explore the town, or to take an optional game flight (own expense), before heading out to the comfort of the Drifters Maun Tented Lodge. This afternoon we relax at the lodge before enjoying a catered meal and a comfortable night. Meals: B; D; (Lunch on this day is own expense in Maun) Distance: +- 225 km Accommodation: Drifters Maun Tented Lodge - Twin-bedded en-suite tented units Included Highlights/Activity: - Game drive on the way out of the park - Visit to Maun Optional Activities: - Game flight, fixed wing or helicopter

After the early mornings of the last few days, we enjoy a relaxed start at the lodge today, spending time along the river bank enjoying the tranquillity of the area, or lounging at the swimming pool. For those interested, we recommend going on a local village walk. Chenoga Village, not far from our lodge, is not on a regular tourist route, so you have the opportunity to explore an authentic village with one of our staff from the lodge, who lives in the village. We have an early lunch, before continuing our journey eastward into the spectacular Makgadikgadi Salt Pans area. Oceans of golden grass give way to the stark white pans, under a very big sky. We stop to take in the isolation and serenity of this expanse, before continuing to our accommodation for the night, Elephant Sands Lodge. Close-up sightings of elephants at the water hole are almost guaranteed. Meals: B L D Distance: 300 km Accommodation: Elephant Sands Lodge Included Highlights/Activity: - Village walk - Visit to Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Optional Activities: - None, all included

Venturing north today, we make our way to the slow, placid Chobe River, an ideal habitat for hippos and crocodiles, and an attraction to some of the biggest herds of elephant and buffalo on earth. This afternoon we enjoy an extensive boat cruise on the river, within Chobe National Park. Gliding close to the banks, we hope to silently approach the animals that come down to the river to drink. Back on land, we cross the border into Zimbabwe and make our way to our accommodation for the next two nights. The lodge is centrally situated and within walking distance of the Falls and other attractions. Meals: B L Distance: 320 km Accommodation: Shearwater Village Included Highlights/Activity: - Chobe National Park - Extensive boat cruise on the Chobe River Optional Activities: - None, all included

Awaking in the adventure capital of Africa, it is with new excitement that we explore the amazing Victoria Falls, known to the locals as "Mosi-oa-Tunya ", meaning "the smoke that thunders". This is the place where, according to ancient traditions, the Zambezi River God "Nyami Nyami", who takes the form of a snake spirit, is in hiding. Your entry fee to the Falls is included in the tour price, and you are free to spend as much time as you like viewing the Falls and exploring the surrounding rain forest. Various other attractions can be visited and activities enjoyed, including the tribal village or curio market. Victoria Falls is also home to a multitude of adventure activities, such as an aircraft flip over the falls, a boat trip on the Zambezi River, white water rafting or bungee jumping, but allowance must be made for the extra expense of these optional, but worthwhile, activities. We spend two nights here, thus allowing you some time to explore the town and all it has to offer, with the freedom to choose the sights and activities that interest you. Tonight we will eat out at a local restaurant (own expense). Relax to the sound of the African night and the distant roar of the Falls and drink the farewell toasts to your adventure. Meals: B (Lunch and dinner is own expense) Distance: (Free day to explore town or do some activities) Accommodation: Shearwater Village Included Highlights/Activity: - Victoria Falls National Park - Entry fee for viewing the falls Optional Activities: - Scenic helicopter flight - White water rafting - Bungee jump - Gorge swing - Many more available

Departing after breakfast we cross back into Botswana, to continue south toward Francistown, Botswana's bustling second largest city. Tonight we stay in comfortable accommodation, enjoying the African night and celebrating our adventure with our last tour meal. Meals: B L D Distance: 568 km Accommodation: Woodlands Lodge Included Highlights/Activity: - Last opportunity to view game on route to Francistown (watch out for those elephants on the road!) - Scenic drive from Zimbabwe to Botswana Optional Activities: - None, all included

Crossing the Limpopo River, we return to South Africa and make our way back to Johannesburg and the end of our tour on arrival. Post-tour accommodation and airport transfers can be booked through DRIFTERS. Meals: B (Lunch and dinner own expense) Distance: 700km Included Highlights/Activity: - Border crossing back into South Africa