Botswana and Zimbabwe Rooftop Tent Camping Safari
In November 2025, Pierson Expeditions returns to Southern Africa for our 4x4 safari across Botswana and into Zimbabwe, traveling in a caravan of offroad equipped, rooftop-tented trucks. The vehicles will be self-driven (ie. you can drive some of the way) over both pavement and rugged trails.
DATES: November 11th-22nd, 2025
PRICE: $5500 USD per person (sharing)
Exploring the Okavango, Savuti, and the Pans
A vast, totally unique stretch of Africa, the Okavango Delta is a meeting point of dramatic landscapes, created by seasonal flooding. Often called Okavango Africa’s last Eden, grass plains and woodland forests intersect with lagoons and shallow water pans, creating a predator-rich environment where you can expect to see a truly diverse range of animals, from lion, elephant, cheetah and buffalo to wild dog, giraffe, hippo and much more.
The Savuti Game Reserve is set in an ancient lake bed. Millions of years of geologic activity have been at play here: where water once flowed openly from permanent rivers, tectonic activity cut access, and the area is now fed erratically by the Savuti Channel, which drops just 18 meters over 100 kilometers, and historically has remained dry for periods of up to 70 years.
Sua Pan is a harsh, unforgiving climate, but one rewarded with views that extend as far as the eye can see, plus a night sky filled with a galaxy full of stars. This will be one of the most remote sections of camping on our trip and you will truly feel the solitude of Africa.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival to Maun in afternoon, welcome drinks and dinner, spend the night at Thamalakane River Lodge.
Day 2 - Wakeup and breakfast at Thamalakane River Lodge, before a 9am vehicle orientation and 4x4 training session. We'll depart by 10am for the drive to Khwai Community Camp, with a game drive along the way as we venture out to our first campsite at the Khwai Community Camp.
Day 3 - An early wakeup with breakfast and coffee before our first full day of game drives in the Moremi Game Reserve. Formerly a hunting concession, Moremi is now actively managed as a conservation area. We'll end the day with delicious dinner and conversation around the campfire.
Day 4 - Another full day in the Moremi, with game drives based from Khwai Community Camp.
Day 5 - As we set out for our next destination, we'll take advantage of an early morning game drive en route to Thobolo's Bush Lodge via the Savuti.
Day 6 - Early drive to Chobe River Lodge in Kasane, with a traditional Makoro trip in the afternoon. For dinner, we'll gather on the river for a stunning outdoor dining experience.
Day 7 - We begin our day with a scenic flight over Victoria Falls. Upon arrival in Zimbabwe at Vic Falls, choose from optional afternoon activities before return via vehicle transfer to Chobe River Lodge in the early evening and dinner on-site.
Day 8 - A four hour tarmac drive leads to Sua Pan, another world entirely, and camping amidst a moon-like landscape.
Day 9 - Early drive to Leopard Plains Lodge, including a San bushmen nature walking tour, followed by an intimate closing dinner.
Day 10 - Transfer back to Maun (3 hour drive), in time for 2p flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town.
A 4x4 Adventure Means We’ll Be Off Road
Led by an expert guide piloting his own vehicle, members will drive trucks across varied landscapes (or hang back in the passenger seat, if you prefer). In some spots, distances will be short but the roads will be rugged, and we’ll stop to assess the situation frequently before proceeding. This is a perfect opportunity to learn the ins and outs of offroad driving, and you’ll have plenty of chances to drive through challenging terrain.
Wilderness Camping Across Botswana
For several nights, we’ll camp wild in the bush, unpacking and assembling the rooftop tents and equipment for a night in the wild. As the sun sets, it’s time to eat delicious freshly prepared food, discuss the day’s sightings, and enjoy the unique connections over the campfire.
When dinner is done, climb up into a rooftop tent atop one of our vehicles for a sleep session that could very well include the trumpeting of elephants, howling of a jackal, or even the roar of a lion in the distance. This is a uniquely intimate way to experience safari in Africa.
Get the African Lodge Experience
Of our nine nights in Africa, four will be spent at lodges. This means that alongside rooftop tent camping, you’ll enjoy the traditional experience of a four-star lodge. These stops are thoughtfully inserted into the itinerary, including a two night stop in the middle. Expect pools to cool off, delicious meals, and comfortable beds.
Fly Over Vic Falls
Midway through our trip, we'll take off for a scenic flight over Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. We'll land early in the afternoon, with plenty of time to explore the area on foot - or for the more adventurous, there's the bungee jump over the Zambezi river.
