Kalahari Budget Mobile Tented Journey (Botswana)

Explore the Secrets of the Kalahari and Makgadikgadi

Experience the Central Kalahari Game Reserve on our six-night Budget Mobile Tented Safari—the ultimate adventure for the budget traveler. This deep dive into the semi-arid desert showcases breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife. The immersive itinerary includes exploring diverse ecosystems, traversing dry riverbeds, and an unforgettable San bushman walk to learn the secrets of the desert. Your journey continues to the Kalahari Game Reserve then onward to the Makgadikgadi National Park where you'll camp on the banks of the Boteti River, with game drives into the reserve to watch wildlife follow the seasonal cycles.

Journey Travel Route

Maun > Deception Valley > Kalahari GR > Makgadikgadi NP > Maun

Highlights

• 2 Nights Deception Valley Private Reserve + San bushman walk
• 3 Nights Central Kalahari Game Reserve
• 1 Night Makgadikgadi National Park surrounds

Trip Style

• Scheduled departure mobile tented safari (see Dates tab)
• Semi-assisted (guests pitch and pack up their own supplied tents and carry their own bags)
• Expert tour guide, camp chef and all equipment provided
• Wide frame 'Mini-Meru' tents with camp beds and bedding provided
• Shared bush toilet and shower facilities
• Guides do all camp setup
• All inclusive pricing (see Rates and detailed Itinerary for details).

Prepare for Your Kalahari Journey
Please note that your unforgettable safari journey kicks off in Maun at 7:30 AM on Day 1. To ensure a smooth start, you'll need to secure your accommodation and purchase any desired drinks in Maun the day before. Let us handle the details — Naturecrazi is ready to assist with all your pre-safari arrangements, including transfers and lodging.

The Ultimate Pre-Safari Upgrade (Optional)
Maximise your arrival with an exhilarating, optional 45-minute helicopter flight! Soar above the landscape in a chopper stripped of windows and doors for truly unobstructed, breathtaking views. Keep your eyes peeled—it's possible to spot large game like elephants, giraffes, and hippos from the air. This extraordinary experience must be pre-booked.

Itineraries

Days 1-2

Secrets of the Deception Valley Private Reserve

Your adventure starts now! Your dedicated guide will greet you in Maun at 7:30 AM before you journey 160 km to a stunning private reserve bordering the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. After setting up your adventure camp and attending a full safari briefing, you’ll immediately begin exploring.

Embark on thrilling game drives and an intimate nature walk led by a local San tracker, gaining unique insight into their ancient and intriguing culture. This area is a haven for desert specialists like oryx, springbok, and eland, as well as formidable predators including lion, brown hyena, and cheetah. Savor the vast open spaces, the brilliantly clear night skies, and the sheer, uninterrupted beauty of true wilderness camping.

Distance: 160km (Approx. 5 hours) | Meals: Day 1 (L, D) & Day 2 (B, L, D)

Days 3-5

Deep Immersion in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Rise with the sun and drive deep into the untouched heart of Botswana’s largest game reserve. The next three days are dedicated to traversing the undeveloped, expansive landscapes of the northern Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Your camp will be set up in a private designated bush site, complete with necessary ablutions, giving you an authentic experience of solitude and raw nature.

Distance: 80km (Approx. 3–4 hours, including game drive) | Meals: B, L, D

Day 6

Wildlife Congregation at the Boteti River

After one last Kalahari sunrise, you'll break camp and embark on a scenic drive toward the Makgadikgadi National Park. Your final night is spent at a beautiful camp overlooking the Boteti River in Khumaga village. In the afternoon, head out for a final, exhilarating game drive into Makgadikgadi National Park to witness the spectacle of wildlife drawn to this vital water source.

Distance: 180km (Approx. 4–5 hours, including game drive) | Meals: B, L, D

Day 7

Farewell

Enjoy a final early breakfast before heading back to Maun. Your incredible safari officially concludes at Maun International Airport around 11:00 AM. Let us know if you require assistance with your onward travel plans!

Distance: 180km (Approx. 2.5 hours) | Meals: B

• Camping equipment: Tents are 2.1m x 2.1m x 1.75m. A 5cm thick high density foam mattress is provided for each guest. Bush ablutions are shared.
• All transfers and activities as per the itinerary
• All meals that are indicated (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Tea/coffees
• Drinking water
• Services of a Professional Guide, Camp Chef and a Camp Assistant
• All Botswana park fees for activities included on itinerary and transport in specialised safari vehicles
• Okavango Air Rescue

• Drinks (alcohol and sodas)
• Visas
• Airport transfers
• Gratuities
• Curios
• Optional excursions (helicopter rides)
• Insurance to cover for cancellation and curtailment, medical, baggage, and emergency evacuation
• Any increase in National Park fees
• Any items of a personal nature

Sustainable Development Impact

While the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are global concerns, and not aimed specifically at the travel and tourism industry, target 8.9 of the 2030 Agenda aims to "by 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products". In this regard, tourism has the potential to contribute, directly or indirectly to all 17 SDGs.

Travel with Purpose

For every night you spend on this Mobile Eco-Safari, you make a difference through the Conservation and Community efforts of our ground-handling partner via the Bush Ways Foundation.

Bush Ways is also a member of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travellers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and take supplies for area schools or medical clinics in need, you'll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and families. Please click here to see what supplies are needed.

Considering the track history and documented evidence of the Bush Ways Foundation's commitments to conservation and community upliftment, Naturecrazi considers their respective SDG "qualifying criteria" as follows:

• SDG 1: Creates fixed term and permanent job opportunities for local communities.
• SDG 2: Actively engages in community feeding schemes and food growing agricultural projects.
• SDG 3: Works with local community health clinics.
• SDG 4: Contributes to sustainable local community development through education programs and research.
• SDG 6: Provides for careful handling and disposal of solid waste and sewage. Uses alternative, sustainable means of water acquisition and reduces water consumption.
• SDG 7: Meets its energy needs through passive design and renewable energy resources.
• SDG 11: Uses traditional building technology and materials wherever possible and combines these with their modern counterparts.
• SDG 12: Grows and sources food ingredients locally, recycles food waste organically, and avoids plastic beverage containers where possible.
• SDG 13: Lodge construction and operation has minimal impact on the natural environment. Blends with local physical and cultural environment through careful attention to form, landscaping and colour, as well as the use of local traditional architecture.
• SDG 15: Conserves and rehabilitates the surrounding flora and fauna. Offers educational interpretive programmes to both its employees and tourists about the surrounding natural and cultural environments.

You will need to book your own flights to and from Maun Airport (MUB) and/or Kasane Airport (FBKE). Our handy airline aggregator will find the best seat prices for your dates.

SEARCH & COMPARE FLIGHTS

LUGGAGE

• One large kit bag (preferably a rucksack or a bag with soft sides – Please do not bring hard suitcases as they are very difficult to pack in our trailers and can pose a problem for any light aircraft flights you may take as part of your safari. Semi-hard suitcases should be avoided as well.
• One item of hand luggage (e.g. a small backpack) – there will be room for this at your feet.
• Main luggage: max weight = 18kg, max. size = 700mm x 350mm x 350mm.
• Remember that on safari you need far fewer clothes than you think so bear this in mind when packing.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

• Torch with spare batteries and bulbs – a head torch is a good idea.
• Hat/cap.
• Scarf and gloves (especially for winter months).
• Warm jacket/fleece/jumper – windproof in winter months (May – Sept), waterproof in summer months (Nov – Mar).
• Swimming costume.
• Natural clothing (i.e. no bright colours and no white), t-shirts, shorts, a pair of light weight long trousers and a lightweight long sleeve shirt (long sleeves are extremely useful for sun protection during the day and mosquito protection during the evening).
• Note that camouflage printed clothing is fine for the bush but please do not to wear in towns or when crossing borders.
• Comfortable walking shoes and flip flops/sandals.
• Camera equipment, binoculars, lots of spare films, batteries and spare memory cards for digital cameras are essential as the opportunity to download photos is limited.
• Adaptors for cables, chargers, USB, etc (we recommend you label them to avoid confusion on the vehicle charging station).
• Water bottle and a small day pack for walks.

TOILETRIES AND FIRST AID

• Personal toiletries and medications in small bag, not a vanity case.
• Sunscreen.
• Malaria prophylaxis.
• Mosquito repellents (lotion or spray).
• Toilet paper (this is only necessary if you prefer 2 or 3 ply toilet paper).
• Water proof/zip lock bags for storing personal items to keep dust free and/or dry.
• Personal First Aid Kit (note: a First Aid Kit will be present throughout the safari but personal medicines must be brought for the duration of the safari).

MEDICAL PRECAUTIONS

• Check with your local immunisation authority, travel clinic, public health facility or personal physician.
• Visit the WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION website for up to date information (www.who.int)
• Botswana is considered a malaria area and preventative medications should be taken.
• Between 2012 and 2015, both South Africa and Botswana required that all travellers coming from / going to Zambia should have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Beginning of 2015, both South Africa and Botswana officially communicated that they shall not require the yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers coming from / going to Zambia. However, beware that regulations could change again without prior notice.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION

• Valid passport: your passport must be valid at least 6 months after the end date of your trip and there must be at least 6 blank visa pages.
• Many nationalities are able to obtain tourist visas for Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe at the border posts, HOWEVER, citizens of certain countries are required to obtain a visa before travelling. Please note that certain visas can take up to 3 months to be processed so please consider this when booking.
• For more information see www.botswanatourism.co.bw, www.zambiatourism.com, www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw and www.namibiatourism.com.na
• Valid visas – it is your responsibility to arrange visas.
• For up-to-date visa requirements please check with your travel consultant and/or Embassy.
  If you need to get a visa for one of the countries visited during your safari, please check when and where the visa can be obtained, and which currency is required for its payment.

Minor Children

Requirements for minor traveling through all Botswana ports of entry:
Effective from the 1st October 2016 minors travelling through the country’s borders are required to produce certified copies of unabridged birth certificates in addition to their valid passports. In the event that one parent is not travelling with the child, the other parent’s affidavit consenting to such travel should be availed. However, an affidavit will not be required if the father’s name does not appear on the child’s birth certificate.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

• For all our Journeys, it is COMPULSORY to take out travel insurance covering for: cancellation and curtailment, medical situations, baggage, emergency evacuation.
• Naturecrazi does not provide travel insurance.
• Naturecrazi’s ground handling partner, Bush Ways, provides Okavango Air Rescue membership for the duration of the safari nights. This service provides medical evacuation from isolated areas of the bush by a medically equipped helicopter and emergency doctor, ensuring smooth and swift operations. International insurance companies are not always familiar with the practicalities of dealing with emergencies in the Botswana bush, which can add to delays in obtaining medical care. Please note this cover does not include pre- and post-safari arrangements.
• Please note that you will be required to provide your insurance details prior to your arrival so we can liaise with your insurance company in the shortest amount of time in case of an emergency. Required details include: medical evacuation insurer’s Name, medical evacuation policy number, 24-hour contact number of Medical evacuation insurer (must be able to phone it from Botswana – USA 800 numbers don’t work from here).