Self-Launched Botswana Safari: Maun to Victoria Falls
10 days · Botswana & Zimbabwe
Much Better Adventures charges £2,995
No-markup version: ~£595 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
An epic self-launched overland adventure from Maun through the Okavango Delta, across the Kalahari, through Chobe National Park, and on to Victoria Falls — one of the most wildlife-rich journeys on Earth. By booking mokoro trips, bush safaris, and game drives directly with local operators, and staying in budget-friendly lodges and campsites, you can experience the same raw, untamed Africa at a fraction of the group-tour price. Costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Welcome to Maun
Maun, Botswana
Fly into Maun Airport (MUB), typically via a connection through Johannesburg. Taxis from the airport into town take just 5 minutes and cost around £3–5. Check into your guesthouse or lodge. Spend the evening exploring Maun's lively riverside scene, grab dinner at a local spot, and plan your delta adventure.
🚌Local taxi from Maun Airport to town, ~£3–5
🛏Audi Camp Maun or Old Bridge Backpackers — budget rooms/camping from ~£18–28pp
- →Arrive at Maun International Airport (MUB)
- →Take a local taxi into town (~£3–5)
- →Check into guesthouse or budget lodge
- →Explore Maun town and the Thamalakane River banks
- →Dinner at a local restaurant to settle in
Into the Okavango Delta by 4x4 and Mokoro
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Book a 3-day/2-night mokoro and bush camp package directly with a local community operator such as Okavango Polers Trust or Crocodile Camp Safaris — these community-run outfits offer the same authentic experience as tour operators at much lower prices. They'll arrange the 4x4 transfer from Maun to the poling station and all meals at the wilderness camp. Book in advance by email or phone from Maun.
🚌4x4 transfer included in mokoro package, or arrange separately via local operators in Maun (~£15pp)
🛏Remote bush camp on delta island — included in mokoro package (~£55–70pp/night all-in)
- →4x4 transfer from Maun to the delta poling station (~2hrs)
- →Board a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) with a local poler guide (~3hrs)
- →Arrive at remote bush camp on a delta island
- →Wildlife watching at dusk — hippos, elephants, birds
- →Campfire dinner with camp crew
Bushwalking Safari in the Delta
Okavango Delta, Botswana
A full day in the heart of the delta. Your poler guide leads a 3–4 hour walking safari through the bush, tracking wildlife including giraffes, zebras, antelopes, buffalo, elephants, and big cats. Afternoon brings a swim in a safe channel, followed by a golden-hour mokoro glide back to camp through tranquil waterways. All included in your pre-booked mokoro package.
🚌Mokoro between camp and walking areas (included in package)
🛏Remote bush camp on delta island (included in mokoro package)
- →Guided bushwalk safari with your poler (3–4hrs) — tracking lions, leopards, elephants
- →Wildlife and bird spotting in pristine delta ecosystems
- →Wild swimming in a safe delta channel
- →Sunset mokoro ride through river channels
- →Campfire dinner under the stars
Farewell to the Delta — Back to Maun
Maun, Botswana
Early morning final paddle through the delta before the 4x4 transfer back to Maun — included in your mokoro package. Check back into your guesthouse for a shower and some comfort. The afternoon is free: browse Maun's craft markets and galleries, or head to Marc's Eatery — a local favourite recommended by travellers — for a well-earned meal.
🚌4x4 return transfer to Maun (included in mokoro package)
🛏Audi Camp Maun or Old Bridge Backpackers — budget rooms from ~£18–28pp
- →Final morning mokoro glide back to the poling station
- →4x4 transfer back to Maun (included in package)
- →Visit Maun's craft and artwork shops
- →Dinner at Marc's Eatery, Maun
Drive East to Nata & the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
Nata, Botswana
Hire a seat on a shared minibus or intercity coach from Maun to Nata (~4hrs, ~186 miles). Alternatively, rent a small 4x4 with fellow travellers to split the cost and gain flexibility for the salt pans. Check into Nata Lodge campsite, a birder's paradise with Meyer's parrots and bushshrikes. In the afternoon, take a self-drive or guided excursion to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans — the world's largest — for a truly surreal landscape experience.
🚌Shared minibus/coach Maun to Nata, ~£10–15pp
🛏Nata Lodge campsite — camping ~£12–18pp, or budget chalet ~£35–45pp
- →Shared minibus or coach from Maun to Nata (~4hrs, ~£10–15pp)
- →Optional: visit to Makgadikgadi Salt Pans (~£10–15 entry + local guide)
- →Sundowners and swimming at Nata Lodge pool
- →Birdwatching around Nata Lodge
North to Kasane & Chobe National Park
Kasane, Botswana
Take a shared bus or minibus north from Nata to Kasane (~4hrs, ~186 miles), the gateway to Chobe National Park at the four-country border convergence. Book a late-afternoon game drive directly with a local Kasane operator — try Chobe Safari Lodge or Pangolin Photo Safaris. Chobe is famed for the world's highest concentration of African elephants. Sundowners on the riverbank before dinner at your campsite.
🚌Shared bus Nata to Kasane, ~£10–15pp
🛏Chobe Backpackers or Thebe River Campsite — camping ~£12–20pp
- →Shared bus/minibus from Nata to Kasane (~4hrs, ~£10–15pp)
- →Check into Kasane campsite or budget guesthouse
- →Afternoon 4x4 game drive in Chobe National Park (~2.5–3hrs, book directly ~£35–50pp)
- →Sundowners on the Chobe River banks
Full Day Safari & Sunset River Cruise, Chobe
Kasane / Chobe National Park, Botswana
An unmissable full safari day. Pre-dawn start for a 3-hour open-vehicle game drive deep into Chobe — book directly with a local Kasane operator or through your campsite for ~£35–50pp. Return for a camp brunch, then in the afternoon board a shared sunset river cruise on the Chobe River (~£25–35pp, book at any Kasane lodge or guesthouse). Watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles and buffalo gather at the water's edge with Namibia visible across the river.
🚌Game drive vehicle and river cruise boat included in activity bookings
🛏Chobe Backpackers or Thebe River Campsite — camping ~£12–20pp
- →Pre-dawn open 4x4 game drive in Chobe National Park (~3hrs, ~£35–50pp)
- →Camp brunch and afternoon rest
- →Sunset river cruise on the Chobe River (~2hrs, ~£25–35pp)
- →Wildlife spotting: elephants, hippos, crocs, buffalo, birds
Cross the Border to Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Take a shared shuttle or local taxi from Kasane to the Kazungula border crossing (~30 mins), cross into Zimbabwe, and continue to Victoria Falls town (~£10–20pp total). Entry to Victoria Falls National Park costs ~£30 payable at the gate. Your guide or hostel can help arrange an afternoon visit to the falls themselves — walk the network of viewpoint trails as the thunderous mist rises around you. Celebrate at a local restaurant in Vic Falls town.
🚌Shared shuttle or taxi Kasane to Vic Falls, ~£10–20pp
🛏Shoestrings Backpackers or Victoria Falls Backpackers — dorm from ~£15–20pp, private ~£35–50pp
- →Shared shuttle or taxi from Kasane to Victoria Falls (~1.5hrs via Kazungula border, ~£10–20pp)
- →Cross Zimbabwe border (USD cash recommended for visa on arrival ~£30–50 depending on nationality)
- →Check into Victoria Falls hostel or guesthouse
- →Visit Victoria Falls National Park (~£30 entry, payable at gate)
- →Walk the Falls viewpoint trails (Knife Edge, Main Falls, Cataract View)
- →Celebration dinner in Victoria Falls town
Deep Dive into Vic Falls — Activities Day
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
A free day to choose your own adventure. Book optional activities directly through your hostel or local operators in town — all are competitively priced compared to tour-operator add-ons. For adrenaline seekers: white-water rafting on the Zambezi (Grade 5, ~£80–100pp via Shearwater Adventures) or bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge (~£90–100pp). For a more relaxed day: sunrise or sunset cruise on the Zambezi (~£35–45pp), guided game walk in Zambezi National Park (~£40–60pp), or simply walk the falls viewpoints at your own pace for free (with park entry already paid).
🚌Walking or local taxi within Victoria Falls town (~£2–5)
🛏Shoestrings Backpackers or Victoria Falls Backpackers — dorm ~£15–20pp, private ~£35–50pp
- →Optional: white-water rafting on the Zambezi (~£80–100pp via Shearwater Adventures)
- →Optional: bungee jump off Victoria Falls Bridge (~£90–100pp)
- →Optional: sunrise or sunset Zambezi River cruise (~£35–45pp)
- →Optional: guided game walk in Zambezi National Park (~£40–60pp)
- →Free: revisit falls viewpoints at own pace (park entry already paid)
Departure from Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Check out of your hostel and arrange a local taxi to Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) — easily booked through your accommodation for ~£5–10. Alternatively, share a taxi with other travellers to split the cost. Flights connect to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Nairobi, and Addis Ababa for onward connections home.
🚌Local taxi to VFA Airport, ~£5–10pp
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Check out of accommodation
- →Last breakfast in Victoria Falls town
- →Local taxi to Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) (~£5–10pp)
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£595 | £2,995 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,400 per person (80%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Much Better Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£595
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Botswana Safari: Maun to Victoria Falls cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £595 per person for 10 days in Botswana & Zimbabwe. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Much Better Adventures?+
Yes — Much Better Adventures charges around £2,995 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £595 — a saving of roughly £2,400 (80%) per person.
How long is the Botswana & Zimbabwe trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through Botswana & Zimbabwe.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, wildlife, culture trip through Botswana & Zimbabwe, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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