Day 1: Joburg to Nata
DISTANCE 880km ALLOW 11 hours
Leave early. There’s a long drive ahead but it’s possible to get to Nata in a day. Head up the N1 north towards Polokwane and after two hours take the off-ramp to Modimolle. Keep straight on the R33 to Vaalwater. Stop for breakfast at Seringa Cafe (1), then carry on to Lephalale. From here, take the R572 and enter Botswana via Martin’s Drift border post (2). Take a right onto the B151 past Lerala and then turn left towards Tamasane to join the A1 road to Francistown. From here, take the A3 north and drive the remaining two hours to Nata Lodge (3). Aim to arrive by 4pm so you can join the game drive into Nata Bird Sanctuary (4) for sunset.