Botswana 4x4 Self-drive👍👍👍 In One Week!

https://asimplyfab.life/ This was a 4x4 trip of a lifetime! An incredible experience visiting Botswana - a part of Africa that may not be as well known but offers such a variety. From wild roaming elephants to remote and seemingly inaccessible places like the Makgadigadi Salt Pans. The dry Moremi game reserve bordering on the Okavango Delta and the Chobe National Park... A mystical destination as seen only on TV and believed to be unobtainable to me. The grand Chobe river which borders Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Then the opportunity to park your camper and sleep among the elephants!
All of the above I planned on Google maps - with no reference or detail specifically to where we were going; except for a very short time-limit of one week! It was all one big surprise after another. And all the better for it.

Botswana is one of the safest countries in Africa. Easy access, all the amenities you could need or want - supermarkets, atm's, campsites, hotels, not too expensive; and friendly people. It offers such a wealth of natural beauty, wide-open expanses and diversity of wildlife. The national parks have a primitive infrastructure and road access - which in turn limits the number of visitors and keeps the impact of tourism to reasonable levels.

Do you need a 4x4? Oh yes! The Makgadigadi salt pans are very remote and offer mile after mile of muddy (non-existent) tracks. Moremi and Chobe roads are nothing more than tracks of soft, beachy sand. Slow going and permanent 4x4 engaged... So visiting the national parks is mainly offroad driving, and you need a reasonably capable pickup to get into these areas at all. On the main road the infrastructure is good. Roads are in good condition, and - when we were there - not busy at all (except for Francistown, a major town). Just watch out for the wild elephants walking free throughout the countryside! Never mind the cattle grazing at the roadside, or the donkeys and goats!

It is a fantastic place to visit. Wildlife, remote emptiness, challenging offroad driving and the overall sense of Africa at its best. Not too developed, a relatively small population and a large part of the country going towards wildlife and nature conservation. The camps we stayed in, in the national parks were not fenced, adding to the drama and excitement.

I would say.... get here if you can! Africa has something about it. Some energy, something that captures your soul... Loved every minute!

00:00 - 00:39 Intro
00:39 - 01:30 Big Fig Inn campsite
01:30 - 08:35 Groblersbrug border post to Makgadigadi Adventure Camp
08:35 - 12:20 Makgadigadi to Okavango River Lodge
12:20 - 20:08 Okavango Lodge (Maun) to Moremi Game Reserve (Third Bridge Camp)
20:08 - 30:00 Third Bridge Camp to Chobe (Savute Camp)
30:00 - 36:53 Savute Camp to Chobe River Lodge (Kasane)
36:53 - 39:11 Chobe River cruise & history of Sedudu Island
39:11 - 46:04 Kasane to Elephant Sands campsite & lodges
46:04 - 49:41 Elephant Sands to African Ranches camp
49:41 - 50:28 African Ranches to Border crossing
50:28 - 54:19 Final thoughts, observations, wrap up
54:19 - 55:08 Outro panorama shots

https://asimplyfab.life/journal/botswana-4x4-self-drive-tips-observations/

Travel tips:
* Fuel prices are slightly lower than in South Africa. Readily available in towns at service stations like Caltex & Shell etc.
* Currency: Botswana Pula is 10-20% stronger than the South African Rand.
* ATM's will accept all cards
* Supermarkets are well stocked, similar to South Africa and Europe. Fresh produce like fruit and veg readily available.
* Mobile phone reception is good along the main routes. Zero coverage in Salt Pans and some areas of the National Parks (which is why you want to go there, right?)
* Most campsites have electricity options (for your cameras and fridge)
* Try and pay the park fees - for Moremi and Chobe - in Maun. We ended up paying a premium at Moremi gate...
* Keep an eye out for cattle, donkeys, goats and... elephants (yes) along the main roads.
* November/December is a good time to visit. Not too busy at all. But check the rain reports - this can make some areas inaccessible.
* A week is not really enough time. Try and do 2/3 weeks!

Vehicle: Toyota Hilux 4x4 Doublecab, fully kitted for camping. South Africa 4x4 Rentals.

#Botswana #Makgadigadi #botswanaselfdrive

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Видео Botswana 4x4 Self-drive👍👍👍 In One Week! канала A Simply Fab Life