THE GREAT NORTHERN LOOP
DAY 1 Southern Botswana
Today you’ll travel from South Africa to southern Botswana. Your overnight stop will depend on where in South Africa your trip starts. If you live far away, like in Cape Town, it can take two days to reach Botswana.
If you depart from the Western Cape, Eastern Cape or Northern Cape, try to reach a town like Kang. (See the map on page 15.) If you depart from the Free State, Gauteng, North West, Limpopo or Mpumalanga, you can stay near Palapye, Serowe or even Francistown.
See page 22 for accommodation options in and around these towns.
DAY 2 Maun
The main reason to spend a night or two in Maun is to take a flight over the Okavango Delta. It’s also a good place to buy food supplies because shops will be rare on the road ahead.
The Delta proper is inaccessible (read “too expensive”) for the average traveller, but from the sky you can get a good idea of what it looks like. A scenic flight is also pricey, but if you go as a group, the rate comes down. Think of it as one of those special experiences where the extra rands you spend will buy you unforgettable memories.
Remember the money you shelled out to see Bruce Springsteen live? Same thing.
See page 62 for places to stay in Maun and flight information.
DAY 3 Okavango Panhandle
From Maun, drive to Sehithwa