Chasing sunsets from Kubu to Kasane

Where in the world can you glide past an elephant on a mokoro, see them as specks from the air, and watch them walk past from your camping chair? Pack your bags and join us on a wild loop through northern Botswana

- LE ROUX VAN SCHALKWYK

From the white plains of the Makgadikgadi Pans, where Kubu Island rises out of nowhere, to the watery wilderness of the Okavango Delta, every day in northern Botswana is a visual celebration. This 10-day journey with Bhejane 4x4 Adventures kicks off at Khama Rhino Sanctuary near Serowe. From there, we’ll travel north to Kasane, visiting destinations like Maun, the Khwai River and Chobe National Park – places that most of us only ever see on Instagram, TV and in other people’s holiday snaps.

We’ll meander past birds, buffaloes and baobabs – I hope my camera’s memory card will be able to keep up!

DAY 1 Khama Rhino Sanctuary

On a chilly Sunday afternoon, the vehicles of the tour group start to roll into Khama Rhino Sanctuary, about 20km north of Serowe. The Bhejane crew has pitched our tents at Mokongwa Camp within the sanctuary, and we meet our guide Pete Collins.

Pete left Joburg about 10 years ago to settle in Plettenberg Bay. There, he’s been able to pursue his two passions: playing golf and immersing himself in nature by working as a guide. His calm demeanour makes him the perfect leader to help us tackle the wilderness of Botswana.

The camp is dominated by tall manketti trees, known as mokongwa trees in Setswana. They’re leafless during winter, but I can imagine that they provide welcome shade during the hot summer months. Today, however, is the opposite of hot. An icy wind has been blowing, hinting at a cold night ahead.