Orient-Express Offers A Journey Like No Other Through Botswana

Guests drive themselves across the vast wilderness terrain and deserts of Northern Botswana to Khwai River Lodge, adjacent to the first reserve ever established in Africa by local residents, the Moremi Game Reserve, and to Savute Elephant Camp in the world-renowned Chobe National Park.

A senior specialist safari guide will assist the assigned drivers in maneuvering through rivers, thick sand and muddy swamps. A safari guide joins each 4x4 as a safety precaution, as well as an expert animal finder, to educate drivers on the cultural, historical and geological significance of the terrain.
The fully air-conditioned, short-wheel based Toyota Land Cruiser 76 has a long-range fuel-tank and is equipped with a GPS, a satellite phone, a gas cooker, chairs, Zeiss binoculars, emergency equipment, reference books full of information about passing terrain and wild animals, as well as a gas cooker, barbeque and refrigerator for cool drinks.

Guests are given maps of various routes that can take them to their destination through the remote and rugged routes. Guests can choose whether to pass a remote village such as Shorobe, Sunkuyo and Mababe to meet the local inhabitants and purchase handmade crafts. Life is still very traditional in these villages, the residents speak the clicking language and the local craftsman makes many of the daily tools such as knives, axes and pots.

Drivers can navigate their way to Baobab Hill to see the bushman paintings near the Savute Marsh, visit the Linyati Swamp, or for a more adventurous safari, extend the long day into the night for a game drive with a spotlight.

Whichever route the driver chooses, the surrounding landscape is filled with beautiful scenery and areas rich in wildlife. Once guests arrive to the destination, either Khwai River Lodge or Savute Elephant Camp, each will still be the master of their destiny and can drive wherever and whenever (the only limitation is adhering to the rules of the area) - in other words, a true adventure.

Self-drive safaris are available during the first two weeks of December and January through to the end of March, with a maximum of three guests.

For further information and booking inquiries, please e-mail safaris@orient-express.com or phone: 1.800.237.1236 (toll free).