Expedition Dashboard

This document highlights the key practical information for the Botswana expedition. Please read through it before departure so you know what to expect and how to prepare.

Meeting Date and Location

We will meet at Nata Lodge on 13 July 2026 in the late afternoon.

If you arrive earlier in the day you may wish to visit the nearby Nata Bird Sanctuary, which is well known for flamingos and pelicans when conditions are right. The lodge also offers afternoon guided trips to the sanctuary.

Nata Lodge has a good restaurant and bar, so it’s a pleasant place to relax and meet the group before the safari begins.

I will be arriving later in the evening from Johannesburg, so please go ahead and make your own fire and prepare your own dinner for the first evening. I will see everyone once I arrive, or early the next morning.

Please see the map below for the meeting location.

We will be ready to depart the following morning at 08:00.

Tour Distance

The total distance for the trip, from Martins Drift back to Martins Drift, is approximately 2000 km.

A large portion of this distance will be slow driving in sandy terrain inside national parks, which increases fuel consumption compared to normal road driving.

Fuel Availability

The last reliable fuel stop before entering the parks will be Kasane.

After that the next available fuel will be in Maun.

This means the longest distance between fuel stops will be approximately 750 km, mostly in deep sand.

If you have a spare jerry can, I strongly recommend bringing it along.

Estimated Fuel Requirements

Based on previous trips, the approximate fuel requirements are:

Land Cruiser 4.2 Diesel / Land Cruiser V8 Diesel
Approximately 130 litres

Hilux / Fortuner / Ranger / Pajero / Prado (Diesel)
Approximately 105 litres

Petrol vehicles
Approximately 150 litres

These numbers are guidelines only and will depend on your driving style and vehicle condition.

If you are towing a bush trailer, expect fuel consumption to increase by approximately 10–15%.

Fuel Purchases

Credit cards are generally accepted at fuel stations.

However, be prepared for the possibility that card machines may not always work.

It is therefore advisable to carry enough cash to purchase at least one tank of fuel if necessary.

Cash can also be useful should you receive a speed fine along the way.

Current fuel prices in Botswana are approximately:

• Petrol: about P15.47 per litre
• Diesel: about P16.28 per litre

Prices may change slightly but these figures provide a reasonable estimate for planning.

Cash and Payments

Most lodge facilities accept credit cards, although cash is still useful.

Credit cards will generally work, but VISA is the most reliable option.

MasterCard may work but is not always accepted.

Food Restrictions into Botswana

Botswana has strict veterinary controls on food entering the country due to animal disease management, particularly foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Fresh red meat such as beef, lamb or pork should not be brought across the border, as these are commonly confiscated during veterinary inspections.

Fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy products may also be restricted depending on current veterinary regulations.

If you wish to bring food across the border, it is safest to bring cooked food, canned products, dry goods or processed foods.

Chicken and fish are generally less restricted, but the final decision always rests with the veterinary officials at the border.

Since we have grocery stops in Kasane and later in Maun, the easiest approach is often simply to buy fresh food after entering Botswana.

Border Crossing – What to Expect

If you are crossing into Botswana at Martins Drift / Groblersbrug, the border procedure is normally straightforward but can take some time depending on traffic.

Expect the crossing to take between 30 minutes and about 1–2 hours, especially if there are trucks at the border.

The typical process is:

1. Exit South Africa and have your passport stamped.

2. Drive across the bridge into Botswana.

3. Complete immigration and receive your Botswana entry stamp.

4. Complete vehicle entry paperwork and pay the required vehicle fees.

When entering Botswana with a vehicle you will normally pay a few small charges such as road permit fees, road safety levy and third-party insurance.

Please make sure you have the following documents available:

• Passport
• Valid driver’s licence
• Vehicle registration papers
• If the vehicle is financed or not in your name, a letter of permission from the bank or owner

Veterinary officials may also inspect vehicles for fresh food or agricultural products.

For information, I will personally be crossing at Stockpoort, but many participants use Martins Drift, which is why the above information is included.

Groceries

Our main grocery stops will be in Kasane and later in Maun.

Lunches during the safari are generally simple bush lunches, such as biscuits, cheese, cold meats and snacks.

However, we will often stop in very scenic locations, which makes even a simple lunch feel rather special.

Washing

This is a relatively short tour, so laundry facilities will generally not be required.

4×4 Driving

This is a true 4×4 safari, and much of the driving inside the parks will be in deep sand.

Bring a spade and a tyre pump.

Just in case someone gets stuck, bring a few Cokes to sip while we recover the vehicle.

Don’t worry though — we will all be fine. I will guide everyone through the sand driving and show the necessary techniques as we go.

I also carry full recovery equipment, so there is no need to bring additional recovery gear.

Alcohol

Please note that drinking and driving will not be allowed.

It may seem tempting on a hot day, but the rule is simple: no alcohol while driving.

If you would like a drink during lunch stops, I recommend alcohol-free beers, which are widely available these days.

Otherwise let your co-pilot take over driving duties.

Once we arrive in camp, you are welcome to enjoy a drink.

Starlink Internet

I will be travelling with a Starlink internet unit, which is currently active.

Starlink is not formally licensed in South Africa yet, so availability can occasionally change depending on how the service is managed by Starlink. At the moment it is working well and I expect it to work for the duration of the trip.

The connection provides unlimited data, and everyone on the tour is welcome to use it.

To conserve battery power, the Starlink system will be switched off at approximately 22:00 each evening and switched back on again around 05:00 in the morning.

One important rule while using Starlink:

If you are watching videos, listening to music, or using any media on your phone, tablet or laptop, please use earphones or headphones.

We are in the bush and many people enjoy the sounds of nature, so no loud videos or music will be allowed.

Weather

We will be travelling in Botswana during winter.

Expect cool to cold nights and pleasant daytime temperatures.

Bring a warm jacket for evenings and early mornings, and also for the boat cruise on the Chobe River, where it can feel cooler on the water.

During the day shorts and light clothing will generally be comfortable.

Rain is very unlikely at this time of year.

Typical sunrise and sunset times in mid-July for northern Botswana are approximately:

• Sunrise: around 06:45
• Sunset: around 17:45

Typical Mid-July Weather (Kasane – Chobe – Moremi – Maun region)

A typical winter day around 15 July in northern Botswana usually starts off quite cool in the early morning and then warms up into a comfortable sunny day.

Typical conditions would be:

• Early morning temperature: 6–10°C
• Daytime maximum: 24–28°C

In a colder year, early morning temperatures may drop to 3–5°C, particularly in open areas or near water.

In a warmer year, daytime temperatures may reach 29–30°C, although the air generally remains dry and comfortable.

Rainfall:
July falls in the dry season and rainfall is extremely unlikely.

Wind:
Winds are usually light, typically 5–15 km/h, often from the east or southeast, with occasional breezes across open plains such as Savuti.

Overall this is excellent safari weather with clear skies, dry conditions and very good wildlife viewing.