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Trans Kalahari Camping Safari

Botswana
Available Departures: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

14 days from

US$2,435

without flights
Wildlife
Guided Group
LEISURELY LEISURELY

A wild overland journey across some of Botswana’s most incredible landscapes including the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the Okavango Delta.

Trip Code: TKC
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Trans Kalahari Camping Safari

Highlights

• Discover the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, a vast wilderness of untamed beauty and rare wildlife species.

• Delve into the Okavango Delta, a unique landscape of islands and channels like no other on the planet.

• Traverse the ethereal expanse of the Makgadikgadi Pans, where ancient salt flats meet vast open horizons.

• Visit the Khama Rhino Sanctuary and envelop yourself in the sights and sounds of a once again thriving ecosystem.


At a Glance
  • Group Size 4 to 12
  • 11 days remote wildlife safari. Multiple days off road 4wd
  • Rhino conservation project visit and over 4000km of overlanding in between
  • Join In Johannesburg

Accommodation & Meals
  • 12 Breakfasts
  • 12 Lunches
  • 11 Dinners
  • 8 nights Camping
  • 2 nights Camping, Campsite with swimming pool
  • 1 nights Hotel
Overview

In the spirit of the expedition style trip that went before it, this trip visits some incredibly wild, remote and wonder-filled places, including some of the key hotspots for wildlife in Botswana on a 4000+km overland journey. We’ll be sharing responsibilities for setting up camp, cooking and washing up, becoming a small community of sufficient adventurers as we make our way overland through this incredible country. Although the obvious highlight of this trip is undoubtedly the Kalahari itself, we think you’ll be surprised and captivated by the sheer variety of landscapes visited on this trip, as well as the thousands of species of flora and fauna that call these places home.

First stop is the breathtaking Goo Moremi Gorge. A gouge of water through rocks, perfected over thousands of years to create an oasis for birdlife, as well as early humankind. Next we truck on overland into the Makgadikgadi pans, a desolate and vast salt pan, to find Kubu Island, a steadfast granite promontory among a sea of emptiness. An eerie and fascinating place in the dry season, and in the wet, can be the perfect vantage point to watch thousands of flamingo and pelicans among the shallow salty waters. We spend a further day at the pans. This place is gigantic (the pans are about 1.5 times the size of Wales) – despite a near 7 hour drive, we’re still skirting the edge of the pans to visit the majestic baobabs at Gweta. After a day of relative rest and optional activities at Maun we move on to the Okavango Delta for a wild camping experience like no other. We’ll be taken deep into this natural wonder on a mekoro to one of the many islands, directed by our guides to steer clear of grumpy hippos, and set up our wild camp for the next couple of nights. The Okavango is a river delta with no saltwater exit. Waters feed from the Angolan Highlands onto this vast plain where the water fans out and eventually dissipates. As such its home to a huge population of hippos as well as hundreds of species of birdlife, and ungulates flock to this watery haven for water and shelter, whilst in turn attracting predators to seek them out, which is no mean feat in this supersized water park landscape of a thousand channels and islands.

After the watery oasis of the Okavango, we’ll make our way into the Kalahari proper, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, a simply vast wild landscape some 52 thousand sq kilometres (that’s the size of the Netherlands, or about 2/3rds of the size of Scotland!) home to the black maned Kalahari Lions. We will spend four days here among the unending scrub and sand enjoying game drives and wild camping. Finally, we’ll head to the Khama Rhino sanctuary, one of the best places to see both white and black rhinos. A rewilded paradise, returned to its natural state in the last 30 or so years initially to provide safe haven for the rhinos, but is now also home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna too. We will also be treated here to a fixed campsite. The hot shower will likely be welcome after two weeks of brilliantly wild camping among the hippos and lions of some of the greatest wildlife reserves in Southern Africa.

If you would like further information on when to go to Southern Africa on safari and which trip suits you the best please refer to our detailed guide: Which safari is right for you?

Is this holiday for you?

This trip is a camping safari comprising of designated campsites, wild camps and over 2000km of overlanding in functional vehicles designed to cover all types of terrain, from rough gravel, dirt and sand tracks to tarmacked roads. There are hundreds of kilometres of each on this trip and the journeys will be long but fruitful as we track across the many diverse and fascinating landscapes of Bot …

This trip is a camping safari comprising of designated campsites, wild camps and over 2000km of overlanding in functional vehicles designed to cover all types of terrain, from rough gravel, dirt and sand tracks to tarmacked roads. There are hundreds of kilometres of each on this trip and the journeys will be long but fruitful as we track across the many diverse and fascinating landscapes of Botswana. The driving times are indicated on each day. These times do not include stops along the way. We ensure that regular comfort breaks are taken, and stops try to be scheduled to visit interesting towns or sights.

There are several designated campsites along the way, with showers and some have a bar or swimming pool. For the majority of the trip we will be wild camping. You will need to put your tent up, and help pack up the truck in the mornings. Most of the meals are prepared by the guides on these days and it is good group etiquette to help with food prep and washing up. This is usually done on rotation - It is all part of the adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip runs smoothly. This journey is suitable for the adventure traveller looking to experience some of Africa's most special safari experiences in a raw and unfiltered way, among nature, camping under the stars.

Included in the itinerary are a few walks. These can be on paved surfaces, uneven marshy islands in the Delta or rocky terrain and are always accompanied by your experienced guide. Each walk is paced with time for your guide to interpret the environment around you. On some walks, it is vital to keep within the group in case of an animal encounter.

Why KE?

Our new and permanent camping version of our recent Pioneer trip, the Trans Kalahari Expedition - this is a wild exploration of some of the key highlights of Botswana focussed around the incredible and vast wild lands of the Kalahari.

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Itinerary

Your holiday starts at the group hotel near Johannesburg Airport. Airport transfers to the group hotel are provided. The rest of the day is yours to either relax or explore Johannesburg.

Accommodation

Hotel

We leave Johannesburg in the early morning heading North, bound for Goo Moremi campsite and it's neighbouring gorge. We will be driving for the majority for the day, but should still arrive in good time to explore the gorge its rich cultural and spiritual heritage, its waterfalls and if lucky see vultures in the colony on foot. Approx. 7 hrs driving.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

L D

After an early start and a morning driving, we will arrive at Kubu Island, a remarkable granite rock formation located in Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans, known for its stunningly flat and desolate landscape, surrounded by a vast salt pan and characterized by its eerie beauty. After lunch we transfer into our open 4wd safari vehicle and head off the beaten track to explore this area of baobab trees and salt pans. The flat landscape, and incredible starry skies offer incredible photo opportunities during the day and night. We will also explore the granite rock formations and interesting fauna and flora of the area on foot, hopping in and out of the vehicle as we go. In the evening we'll return to our basic community campsite at Kubu Island. Approx 5hrs 30mins driving.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Again we set off early, bound for Gweta and the Planet Baobab Campsite, skirting the vast Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The Makgadikgadi Pans are the world's largest salt pans, covering 30,000 sq kms, formed from the remnants of a large inland lake that dried up thousands of years ago. Home to a variety of wildlife including large herds of Zebra and wildebeest and migratory birds. Enjoy an evening under the stars at this campsite of relative luxury, including the chance for a hot shower, a dip in the pool, and an evening in the restaurant and bar.

Accommodation

Camping, Campsite with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

We have a slow morning allowing time for the optional (own expense) meerkat activity. The meerkat adventure gets us into the middle of the comical antics of the meerkats. The meerkats live in family groups along the edge of the salt pans, and we have the opportunity to get close observing and engaging with habituated meerkats in their habitat. We make our way towards Maun arriving mid-afternoon where we have time to resupply in preparation for our next few days in the Okavango. An optional (own expense) game flight over the Okavango, which will reveal a different aspect of the delta. We set up camp and enjoy an evening meal at a local restaurant (own expense). Approx. 3hrs 30mins driving.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L

Our local guides will take us deep into the heart of the Okavango Delta on mekoro (dugout canoes). The delta forms as water flows from the Angolan highlands out over the Botswanan flat Kalahari Desert sands creating a delicate, green oasis for birds & wildlife. We will camp wild on remote islands in this amazingly dynamic environment & enjoy bush walks, bird watching & swimming in the clear water. Camping with our local guides we learn more about their lifestyle & culture.

Meals

B L D

Now fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the Okavango, today we will head out on foot for a walking safari. There are hippos and birdlife a plenty here, the former you will be taking a wide berth around, as they are famously grouchy, but with over 15,000sq km of submerged terrain to discover, there will be plenty to see and do. This evening we will spend another night on our wild camp island with a chorus of frogs and insect life to lull us off to sleep beneath the stars.

Meals

B L D

A final day soaking in the magic of the Okavango Delta, and eventually packing up camp and returning to the truck in the mekoro canoes that delivered us here a few days before. After two nights of wild camping, with memories that will last a lifetime, tonight we return to civilisation to a comfortable campsite with hot showers, pool, restaurant and bar. Approx. 2 hrs driving.

Accommodation

Camping, Campsite with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

The name 'Kalahari' conjures up images of wide-open grassy plans, dry river beds, hardy wildlife and of course the famed black-maned Kalahari Lions. You will not be disappointed! The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is the largest, most remotely situated reserve in Southern Africa, and the second-largest wildlife reserve in the world, encompassing 52 800 sq kms (about three times the size of Wales). Nothing prepares you for the immensity of this reserve or its wild, mysterious beauty. There is an impression of unending space, and having the entire reserve to yourself. Our first night is planned to be spent at Xade campsite. But don't be fooled by the name, as it is just a sandy spot under a big tree with a fire pit…with not much else for some distance! As before we bring all of our kit for the camping and can rig up a bucket shower (with water warmed by the fire or the sun). Approximate time on game vehicle safaris 4-5 hours.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

We journey through the Kalahari from south to north over a 4 day period camping wild en-route and staying in areas that offer good game viewing. The roads are sandy and heavy going, so be prepared for some long travelling days, but this is more than worthwhile because of the amazing environment that we are travelling through. Legend says that once Kalahari sand gets into your shoes, you'll be drawn back again and again. We are in world of gently undulating sand ridges, and broken only by the occasional flat-topped acacia trees, it is romantic and intense in its beauty. Tonight and tomorrow night we plan to spend at the remote Phokoje campsite (again a sandy clearing near some trees). We might have a Scops Owl or Eagle Owl at night near our camp wondering what we are doing. Approximate time on game vehicle safaris 4-5 hours.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

It is likely that we will see some of the many lion in this park. The lions here at the Kalahari black-maned lion. They often lounge around during the heat of the day and are more active at night or in the coolness of the mornings. The beautiful and striking cheetah are also seen on a regular bases, as they are in one of the highest concentrations here in the whole of southern Africa. The more aloof leopard is also present in smaller numbers and sightings. Elephant need too much water for this dry environment so are not a usual visitor. After the rains (around April) the landscape is green and wildlife come to graze and drink. In the later months the landscape dries out and we can spot the wildlife congregating near the waterholes. We will spend time watching the herds of wildebeest, springbok and gemsbok make their way across the sands. They are also joined by our gangly friend the giraffe moving through or hiding behind one of the flat-topped acacia trees. Approximate time on game vehicle safaris 4-5 hours.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Today we move to Deception Valley. This part of the Kalahari is dry and the mirage on the pans gives you the impression that it's full of water, but the majority of the time is it just an illusion, deceiving many over the years. The wooded dunes here support wildlife all year around. After the rains there is a large concentration of herbivories eating the sweet new grasses. Our last day in this unique untouched wilderness. The reserve was established in 1961 as a place for the San people to live their hunting/gathering lifestyle. Only in the 90s did the park open on a restricted bases to tourism. There has been little construction in regards to lodges or roads within the park, leaving it as an incredibly wild place…and it's vast. With magical sunrises and sunsets you will leave feeling enchanted by this remote African wilderness. Approximate time on game vehicle safaris 4-5 hours.

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Our final day exploring the incredible wild landscapes of Botswana culminates at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. This community wildlife project, was established in 1992 to assist the plight of dwindling rhino populations and restore this tract of land to its previous natural state. Presently, this area is once again teeming with wildlife, benefiting the local community economically through tourism and sustainably through the improvement of the condition of the landscape. We will head out on a game drive hoping to spot the endangered black or white Rhino's that call this sanctuary home. With a number of lush watering holes, Khama supplies the perfect habitat for rhinos to breed. Whilst the focal point of this visit is the rhinos, there are also 230 species of birdlife and you may spot giraffe foraging among the highest vegetation. Watching the sun go down at camp here among the sounds of the safari provides the perfect finale to our Kalahari adventure. Approximate actual drive time: 7-8 hours (380km)

Accommodation

Camping

Meals

B L D

Making our final border crossing of our safari adventure, we cross back into South Africa and return to Johannesburg. Your holiday ends in the early evening at the accommodation with a drop off at Johannesburg Airport. Approximate actual drive time: 7-8 hours by minibus on tarmac (650km). The border is usually quite quick and with a lunch stop en-route, we expect a 9h00 transit day.

Meals

B
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The Route
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Transfer

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

A professional and qualified guide,

Airport transfers,

All accommodation as described,

Meals as described in the Meal Plan,

National Park entrance fees and special permit fees,

All activities/excursions mentioned except where specified as 'optional'

Travel Insurance,

Visas (if applicable),

Airport transfers,

Meals as detailed in the Meal Plan,

Any additional activities/excursions indicated as optional,

Tips for local staff,

Miscellaneous personal expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc

The group will meet at the group hotel near Johannesburg Airport.

On arrival airport transfers are provided to the group hotel.

Return flights, on the last day of holiday, should not depart before 1900. The holiday will end in the late afternoon at the group hotel near Johannesburg Airport via one stop at the airport.

Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

12 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 11 dinners are included. Non-included meals are on arrival at the hotel in Johannesburg, and one evening meal in Maun. We recommend you budget £10 - 15 for each non-included meals.

It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the taps. You should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles.

The majority of the meals are provided. Breakfast will be cereals and yoghurt, with coffee, tea, toast and the occasional cooked breakfast. Lunch will typically be picnic style - cold meats, cheese, salads, bread, rolls and fruit. Dinner will be potjies (traditional stews), braais (barbecue), stir fries, pasta dishes, curries etc. Very often cooking will be on an open fire. Fresh produce will be used wherever possible and fruit squash, tea and coffee will be served with breakfast and dinner. Many of the meals are prepared by the guides and it is good group etiquette to help with preparation and washing up on these days and this is usually done on rotation. Some meals are taken at the accommodation or in local restaurants. Special dietary requirements (vegetarian or allergies) can usually be catered for, but it is essential that this information is received on booking. There is one cool box available for the group to put your own drinks in. Stops at supermarkets are regular to pick up supplies such as alcohol and soft drinks.

Camping - where possible we will stay at designated campsites in national parks, on private land and in towns. Campsite facilities are generally very good but in places can be basic. There are hot and cold showers, restaurants, washing facilities and telephones available at most of the campsites. Some camps have simple reed enclosures for showers but do have flush toilets!

We supply all the camping equipment with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow. The dome tents we use are 2.2 x 2.2 x 1.8 meters and putting them up or down takes only 5 or so minutes. Tents have built-in insect nets. We supply mattresses, which are about 5 cm thick, warm and comfortable. The camp chairs have a backrest.

Wild camping - Wild camps have no facilities; we will need to take our own water and all equipment. Wild camping can be very enjoyable but please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. Toilets will be of the "dig and bury" variety and a simple bucket bush shower will be provided.

You will need to put your tent up, and help pack up the truck in the mornings. Most of the meals are prepared by the guide and it is good group etiquette to help with preparation and washing up - it's all part of the adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip runs smoothly.

If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Single tents and rooms are available for a supplementary cost.

All accommodation is subject to change without prior warning.

SAFARI VEHICLES

For the national parks of Botswana we use custom built 4WDs, with individual "bucket" seats, with trailers for the equipment. The vehicles are designed to handle all road conditions expected on the route. These open-sided land cruisers also have a bank of plug sockets or USB ports for charging. Game viewing from an "open" vehicle is the best way to go for Botswana - small groups in Land Rovers and Land Cruisers have the best wildlife sightings!

These custom built game viewing vehicles are the first of their kind in Botswana. Each new vehicle has a built in "roll cage" that conforms to the latest safety standards of South Africa, and each individual bucket seat has a lap belt. The vehicles are constructed by a registered coach builder and ensure structural integrity of the passenger cabin in the unlikely event of a roll.

There are a couple of long days of travelling but the vehicles have a comfortable cruising speed. The emphasis of the trip is "getting out and doing things".

For the transfers in South Africa at the beginning and end of the holiday we will probably travel by closed station wagon Land Cruiser or a Sprinter minibus.

Your guides are key to any successful safari. On this adventure safari, you will travel with two qualified and experienced, registered field guides (FGASA). All our guides have a passion for Africa, her people and wildlife, and they love nothing more than sharing their knowledge with you.

We estimate a total of around £500-600 per person (or equivalent in euros/dollars) for personal spending. This amount should be sufficient to cover all non-included meals and miscellaneous expenses, including tips to local staff. If you are intending to buy expensive souvenirs, considerable quantities of soft drinks / alcohol, or undertake additional activities or excursions, you should budget accordingly (credit cards can be useful in this respect, and are widely used throughout the destinations of this trip). Your travel money is best in US dollars, as this can be used in most countries on your visit. We also advise you to change some of your money into local currency on arrival at the airport, and your local leader will advise further places to change money en-route and at borders. Additionally, you will be able to get currency from bank ATMs in many of the towns that we will visit.

Many small traders will accept US$, and your notes should be clean and undamaged. Please avoid USD$100 and old issue ‘small head’ US$ notes as they might not be accepted.

There some optional activities that you can take part in on this holiday. These should be booked on arrival with your leader and paid for locally. All optional activities taken outside of the KE trip itinerary are at your own risk.

Your tour leader also works extremely hard to ensure that your holiday runs smoothly and that you are happy. We suggest that a tip of £2–5 per client per day for your tour leader is reasonable. When it comes to tipping the guides that we sometimes use for various activities (e.g. game walks, polers in the Okavango Delta etc) we suggest that a tip of £1-3 per client per ½ day activity, or the local currency equivalent, is acceptable. As in all cases with tipping, the final decision of the amount tipped is up to the individual. It is up to you to decide if you thought the service was poor, or exceptional, and the amount tipped should reflect that. The amounts quoted above are guidelines for you to get an idea of what to tip.

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. Your baggage will travel in the gear compartment of the truck with the group, and there is a finite amount of space. Please keep the weight of your main luggage to 12kg. You should bring a soft bag as these are more suitable to pack in the vehicle. For the 2 nights wild camping in the Okavango Delta you will take only what you need for these 2 nights and your main bag with remain in Maun.

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

We sell this holiday in conjunction with our local operator in Southern Africa. This enables us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get the holiday up and running quickly. For this holiday the minimum age is 12 yrs, however it is unusual to have people under 16yrs.

As a member of the South African Tourism Service Association, our ground agent in South Africa may require you to complete an indemnity form at the start of your holiday, which you will need your insurance details for. As a client of KE Adventure Travel, your rights under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangement Regulations (2018) are unaffected and KE Adventure Travel will remain liable for the actions of our suppliers.

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

Visa South Africa

UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa for short stays. You must have 2 blank pages in your passport.

Rules on travelling with children under 18 years have been relaxed. Visa exempt children entering South Africa only need passports, and not birth certificates as previously required. This applies if the child is travelling with both parents, one parent or an adult who is not a biological parent, and school groups. There are some different requirements for unaccompanied children, and children who do not have UK passports or visa exempt passports. For full details please see the FCDO website.

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

The unit of currency in Botswana is the Pula.

Botswana: This Central region of Southern Africa is subtropical being generally warm and mild to humid. October and November are hot, day and night. November to April is the hottest time of the year with chances of showers to heavy rains later in the season. May to September is cool and dry, perhaps even getting close to freezing during the coldest of nights.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates direct from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

This holiday is part of our Explore International range. Participants on these trips can book through KE or through one of our international partners. This helps us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get your holiday up and running quickly. Led by an English-speaking guide, the cosmopolitan nature of these groups can be an important part of the experience!

Please try to keep the weight of your baggage to a minimum. See the ‘baggage allowance’ section for further details.

You should bring the following items:

  • Lightweight walking shoes or trainers

  • Sandals

  • Socks and underwear

  • Long lightweight trousers

  • Shorts

  • Lightweight waterproof jacket & trousers

  • T-shirts

  • Casual shirts with sleeves

  • Fleece jacket or warm jumper

  • Sunhat with wide brim

  • Sunglasses

  • Buff/scarf for dusty days

  • Small towel/Travel towel

  • Daypack 20-25 litres

  • Sleeping bag* - comfort rating 0 degrees C (May-Sep) and thinner sleeping can be used during the rest of the year

  • Headtorch and spare batteries

  • Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)

  • Water bottles 1 litre (x2) filter bottle if possible (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic

  • Water purification tablets

  • Washbag and toiletries (biodegradable soap is preferred)

  • Antibacterial handwash

  • Insect repellent

  • Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, re-hydration salts (Dioralite), anti-nausea tablets and antihistamine cream/tablets

The following items are optional:

  • Swimwear

  • Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)

  • Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)

  • A selection of dry bags for daypack/kit bag

  • Camera

  • Binoculars (highly recommended)

  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Notes:

Please be aware than in the Southern African the winter months, May – September, the nights can be cold with an average of between 0-5 degrees Celsius in some places, and the days can be warm between 20-30 degrees Celsius.

Bright bold colours and white are not suitable for game viewing or bush wear as they attract insects and the attention of animals. Please do not bring camouflage or military style clothes as they can cause problems with local authorities.

Please dress appropriately for border crossings, village and market visits – ie: no bare feet, no bare chests, no bikinis and no hats. A few restaurants are also not keen on T-shirts and jeans either.

Tents have mosquito netting on the windows and doors. Sleeping mattresses of 5cm thick are provided.

*It is possible to hire a sleeping bag for this holiday.

Cotswold Outdoor Red PantonMany of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 12.5% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers.
>> Find out more

DATES & PRICES

Private Departure?

Gather a few friends, family or club and take over your own departure.

2024

Dates

Adults from

Deposit

Status

More Information

  • Trans Kalahari Camping Safari
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: TKC /05/24/
  • This trip begins on Sat 19 Oct and ends on Fri 1 Nov
  • This departure is available and departs within 14 days. Secure your place today with full payment
  • Single Supplement Price: US$145 -

    Single supplement includes hotel night and a single tent throughout the holiday. There are a limited number of single rooms and tents available.

  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Trans Kalahari Camping Safari
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: TKC /06/24/
  • This trip begins on Sat 9 Nov and ends on Fri 22 Nov
  • This departure is available and departs within 35 days. Secure your place today with full payment
  • Single Supplement Price: US$145 -

    Single supplement includes hotel night and a single tent throughout the holiday. There are a limited number of single rooms and tents available.

  • Download Trip Notes

2025

Dates

Adults from

Deposit

Status

More Information

  • Trans Kalahari Camping Safari
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: TKC /03/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 12 Apr and ends on Fri 25 Apr
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$725
  • Single Supplement Price: US$175 -

    Single supplement includes hotel night and a single tent throughout the holiday. There are a limited number of single rooms and tents available.

  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Trans Kalahari Camping Safari
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: TKC /04/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 17 May and ends on Fri 30 May
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$725
  • Single Supplement Price: US$175 -

    Single supplement includes hotel night and a single tent throughout the holiday. There are a limited number of single rooms and tents available.

  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Trans Kalahari Camping Safari
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: TKC /05/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 7 Jun and ends on Fri 20 Jun
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$725
  • Single Supplement Price: US$175 -

    Single supplement includes hotel night and a single tent throughout the holiday. There are a limited number of single rooms and tents available.

  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Trans Kalahari Camping Safari
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: TKC /06/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 5 Jul and ends on Fri 18 Jul
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$725
  • Single Supplement Price: US$175 -

    Single supplement includes hotel night and a single tent throughout the holiday. There are a limited number of single rooms and tents available.

  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Trans Kalahari Camping Safari
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: TKC /07/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 16 Aug and ends on Fri 29 Aug
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$725
  • Single Supplement Price: US$175 -

    Single supplement includes hotel night and a single tent throughout the holiday. There are a limited number of single rooms and tents available.

  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Trans Kalahari Camping Safari
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: TKC /08/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 13 Sep and ends on Fri 26 Sep
  • This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$725
  • Single Supplement Price: US$175 -

    Single supplement includes hotel night and a single tent throughout the holiday. There are a limited number of single rooms and tents available.

  • Download Trip Notes

More Information

  • Trans Kalahari Camping Safari
    Without Flights
  • Departure Reference: TKC /10/25/
  • This trip begins on Sat 8 Nov and ends on Fri 21 Nov
  • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$725
  • Single Supplement Price: US$175 -

    Single supplement includes hotel night and a single tent throughout the holiday. There are a limited number of single rooms and tents available.

  • Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining at Johannesburg Airport. Airport transfers are provided.

ZEN_HOLIDAY_DATES_PRICES_LAND_ONLY_USD_NOTICE

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)

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