The Best of Botswana: An In-Depth Safari Experience

After you enroll, we’ll ask you to provide or update your personal information and preferences, which includes your health information, lodging and meal preferences for your program.

A signed liability waiver is required before travel by the program provider (EXPLORE, Inc.); this form is found at the back of the first informational mailing. During the program, you will be asked to sign indemnity waivers on-site at the safari lodges; examples of these are included in the first informational mailing. U.S. passports need a minimum of 3 blank visa pages for this program (not the amendment/endorsement pages at the back); Canadian passports need a minimum of 5 blank pages.

A passport is required for this program. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

This information about travel documents pertains to participants holding U.S. passports. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

United States citizens don’t need a visa for any of the countries you’ll be visiting. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

Malaria does occur in southern Africa. It is essential that you consult your health care professional as to which medications are recommended against malaria. They will probably suggest a prophylactic course of one of the anti-malarial drugs, which may need to be started two weeks prior to departure. For this reason, you should consult with your health professional well in advance of your departure. Tell your physician that you will spend 11 days in malarial areas. Your travel doctor may recommend other vaccinations besides malaria precautions - any vaccinations are your personal preference on if you would like to get them or not. If you are doing any pre-program travel in a Yellow Fever infected country, such as Kenya (amongst others), then proof of Yellow Fever vaccination will be required upon entry in South Africa; if you are simply flying to South Africa from North America or Europe, then Yellow Fever proof is not needed. Since game drives can be bumpy, pack motion sickness medication if you are sensitive. If you have any unusual prescriptions, carry a letter from your physician explaining your need for the drug. Make sure your medication supply will be sufficient to last the entire trip. Avoiding scented bath products will deter bugs, but if you are allergic to bee stings or other insect bites be sure to bring a sufficient supply of antidote. Safari camps will have basic first-aid kits for minor medical needs. In case of more serious matters, evacuation to a hospital will be arranged. Contact EXPLORE, Inc. with questions or concerns.

If Road Scholar is arranging your air travel to and from the program, and you travel on the scheduled start and end dates, you’ll receive free round-trip transfers from the airport to the hotel.

Arrival day is on November 3, 2026

Meet the group at City Lodge Hotel Eastgate in Johannesburg

Start of Trip:  2:00 p.m. hotel check-in; 7:00 p.m. Welcome Dinner followed by Orientation.

Getting to the site: Arrival transfers from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport to the hotel in Johannesburg are provided by hired coach for participants who booked their flight through Road Scholar and are arriving on the correct program start date; transfer time is approximately 15 minutes. If you have booked your own international flights, you are welcome to get on the scheduled group transfers if times coincide. Please send full flight details to EXPLORE for coordination purposes (email: roadscholar.programs@exploreinc.com). Taking a taxi is not recommended for safety reasons. EXPLORE can help arrange a separate transfer if desired.

Your trip ends on: Saturday, November 14, 2026 in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park at Leroo La Tau

End of Trip: 4:00 p.m. after arrival of flight from Maun, Botswana, at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Getting to the airport: A group charter flight from the Makgadikgadi Pans to Maun Airport is included for everyone. The commercial flight from Maun to Johannesburg is also included in the program price for all participants. Upon arrival at the Johannesburg airport, you connect to international departures; no further ground transfers are needed unless ongoing travel is planned. EXPLORE can help with ongoing travel arrangements if needed.

Information if you are purchasing your own airfare: Participants who have not purchased airfare through Road Scholar are responsible for making their own transfer arrangements to the first site at the beginning of the program, as well as from the last site at the end of the program. The Information Packet Road Scholar sends in advance of the program includes details needed to make your transfer arrangements. If you wish to purchase airfare through Road Scholar, please call (800) 241-1404. Please note: In the unlikely event Road Scholar must make changes to the program's arrival or departure details, we will notify all participants as soon as possible. Participants who have purchased Road Scholar airfare are protected against airline change fees; however, anyone who has not purchased Road Scholar airfare will be required to make their own adjustments and may incur fees imposed by the airline.