You will spend your first night at Thamo Telele, a little bush haven conveniently close to Maun. Set amongst the lush forest of old growth leadwood, bird plum and acacia trees, this is a safari style camp located in a 250-hectare private reserve on the banks of the Thamalakane river, an area packed with plains game. A hot spot for bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts – here you can enjoy a giraffe experience, horse riding, mountain biking, and a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (if booked at an additional cost).

From Maun you’ll set off with two professional cycling safari guides, one at the front and one at the back on each ride. There will also be logistical support from one of Natural Selection’s professional mobile safari companies throughout this trip, so you will be in the best hands. Cycling in the bush is a thrilling experience, and your guides will not only show you the secrets that pave the elephant highways of the Makgadikgadi by bike, but also the incredible wildlife that walk these paths. Explore single track trails, jeep tracks and animal paths discovering that everything is something, great and small.

For the next two days you’ll be staying at our mobile safari camp set up in the Makgadikgadi. It is simple yet comfortable with cozy beds, hot showers and a welcoming firepit for stargazing. After each days cycling expedition, you’ll return to camp for some much needed down time and then in the late afternoon it’s game time!

Enjoy a walk to one of the pans, identifying spoor and smaller creatures as you meander along the salty flats. Greeted by the game-drive vehicle for sundowners, you’ll climb on board to enjoy an evening game-drive back to camp. If the moon it full the night light may reveal fresh footprints of elephant and other nocturnal animals like the bat eared fox, brown hyena or honey badger scurrying across the landscape. Once in camp, relax around the toasty fire after dinner. But be warned, the stars on the Makgadikgadi are often so spectacular, you could spend the rest of your evening looking up.

Up and out after an early breakfast today, you’ll grab your helmet and your bike and head out to Camp Kalahari located in the heart of the Makgadikgadi. This camp is refreshingly simple, without sacrificing on comfort and style and the perfect place to spend your last night. You’ll be cycling along the zebra migration trails, close to the salt pans and in between dotted clusters of palm trees, planted by elephant dung and shooting up towards the skies. This desert landscape is pulsing with wildlife and once you crack open the crust and the dust settles, you’ll find yourself in a world of wildlife adventure.

With just 12 Meru-style tents set amongst the palms, you’ll find a small library, and a living and dining area, festooned with an eclectic mix of original African furniture and colonial antiques. There’s also a thatched swimming pool, providing the perfect place for a refreshing dip after your cycle.

EXTEND YOUR STAY

To make the most of this Makgadikgadi cycle safari you can extend your stay by 2 to 3 extra nights. Staying at either Camp Kalahari or Planet Baobab (at an additional cost). You’ll enjoy morning cycles out to the pans to meet the bushmen, hang out with the “Kalahari cool cats,” the habituated meerkat family who like nothing more than to use unsuspecting guests as lookout points. On these ‘game rides’ you’ll have a private (back-up) game vehicle in close proximity at all times, offering refreshing tea-stops along the way.