BOTSWANA MOTORCYCLE TOUR
A SCRAMBLE THROUGH THE MAKGADIKGADI PANS OF BOTSWANA
DATES:
JUNE 6 - 13th, 2025
DAYS:
8 Days - 7 Nights
START/END:
FRANCISTOWN, BOTSWANA
PREFERRED
BIKES:
Adventure bikes, Scramblers
MOTORCYCLE RENTAL:
Triumph Scrambler 400X
ADVENTURE LEVEL:
8/10
Makgadikgadi Pans, Kubu Island, Sua Pan, Nwetwe Pan, Nxai Pan Safari, Elephant Sands, Wild Camping
HIGHLIGHTS:
1000kms
DISTANCE:
60% dirt & sand
ROAD TYPE:
8 Days, 7 nights accommodation - 3 nights wild camping under the stars (with tents, stretchers & mattress), ALL meals, Nxai Pan Safari Day Trip , All park fees, Triumph Scrambler 400X motorcycle rental (internationals), motorcycle transport to and from event start (SA Residents) event merch, welcome packet, GPX routes and event photographer.
INCLUDES:
Medical First Responder, Guided Route, Support vehicle and Trailer
SUPPORT:
THE RIDING
With a large part of Botswana being dedicated to protected game reserves for ‘The Big 5’ it means that motorcycles are limited as to where they can travel in Botswana.
Some of the routes in Botswana require a lot of tar roads to get to where you’re going and we’d like to avoid that. This motorcycle adventure explores a large portion of the Makadikadi Basin focusing on riding around the pans.
Each days riding distance will be kept manageable to allow you to enjoy your time on the pans and to get through the sand without having to worry about a long day ahead.
Sand riding can be quite a challenge, but our instructors will work with you from Day 1 to ensure we give you all the proper tips so that you have a successful time riding in Botswana.
This adventure is not for beginners. We encourage all riders to be confident off-road and to have taken some level of off-road training.
THE BIKES
INTERNATIONAL RIDERS
For those traveling from overseas, our motorcycle rental of choice is the Triumph Scrambler 400X. These are very reliable bikes that we took to the pans in 2024 and found them to be great for navigating sand in Botswana.
The Scrambler 400X offers a lower seat height which makes it a bit easier when you may have to paddle through sand.
The longest stretch of tar we will do in a day is 150kms, so you won’t be needing a large capacity bike for this route.
SOUTH AFRICAN RESIDENTS
For those bringing your own bikes from South Africa, we recommend scramblers, dual sport and adventure bikes (300cc -1200cc). Included in your ticket price is round trip transport of your bike from JHB to Francistown.
THE ADVENTURE
Our adventure starts and ends in Francistown Botswana where there is a local airport to connect you in from Johannesburg.
The first day of riding will be on a tar road before heading into the Makadikadi Pans where it will be all dirt and sand roads for the next few days and completely remote.
Along the way you’ll have a full day of rest off the bikes where we’ll take a Safari day trip to the Nxai Pans where it’s highly likely you’ll encounter lions, elephants, zebra and other animals at a local watering hole.
Many nights of the trip you’ll find yourself camping under the stars with not a single light to be seen in the distance.
Botswana is a wild place, and you’re going to love it!
THE ACCOMMODATION
We’ll make sure you’ve got a bed to sleep in every night!
4 nights of this adventure will be wild camping in the Salt Pans in tents where you’ll have a canvas tent, stretcher, mattress & sleeping bag. Tents are optional some nights of the trip where we recommend taking a stretcher and sleeping under the stars.
Nights that we aren’t wild camping will be at lodges where you’ll have all the necessary amenities (hot showers, linen, beds, etc).
This adventure is not offer premium accommodation due to the remoteness of where we will be traveling.
THE WILDLIFE
One of the main attractions of traveling to Botswana is the wildlife that is present in the country.
For this adventure we’ll have a full day off the bikes for us to travel to the Nxai Pan on Safari.
This location offers ample opportunity to see lions, elephants, zebra and other migratory animals who are out in the pans looking for water. Out here there’s a pump that continuously pumps in water for local animals.
ITINERARY
This is a round trip from Francistown, Botswana. We recommend flying into Johannesburg, South Africa and then connecting via Francistown.
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We recommend all guests arrive before 1pm on arrival day. This allows you plenty of time to get settled in, have dinner, a rider briefing and get the bikes prepped.
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We'll get the bikes packed up and ready after breakfast and hit the road. It's about 150kms of tar before we head into the Salt Pans where we'll camp under the stars at Kukonje Island.
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We'll have a proper bush breakfast on the pans nice and early. After breakfast we'll make our way out of the pans heading north to Elephant Sands where we'll spend the night in cabins watching elephants just meters away from you at their local watering hole.
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It's an easy day on the bikes where there's options of just tar roads, and plenty of down time for you to do what you need.
The next 2 nights will be at the lodge that offers a pool, restaurant & bar.
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We'll have a relaxed start to the day and make our way to the Nwetwe Pan where you'll have your first experience sleeping on a salt pan!
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Kubu Island is one of the must see places in Botswana. It's a very remote island tucked into the Makadikadi Pans that's not always easy to get to.
We'll spend the night here and you'll have the day to ride around here and explore as much as you'd like!
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Our last full day of riding. We’ll set out from the pans and make our way back to Francistown. There will be a bit more sand before we hit the tar roads!
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Time to fly home!
PRICING
INTERNATIONAL/NON-SA RESIDENTS
$3600 - Motorcycle Rental Included
35% Non-refundable deposit required to secure booking.
SADC RATES
R30 000 - No Motorcycle Transport. No rental. Meet us in Francistown!
50% non-refundable deposit required to secure booking.
If you would like us to arrange motorcycle transport to and from Francistown we can provide you with affordable rates.
HOW TO BOOK
Click the BOOK NOW button below to sign up for the event. Once you’ve signed up your deposit link will be sent.
INCLUDED
8 days, 7 nights accommodation
3 nights wild camping with 3x3m canvas tents that come with stretcher, mattress and sleeping bag. Some nights there won’t be showers but we will have basins available to wash up.
Nxai Pan Half Day Safari
Triumph Scrambler 400X Motorcycle Rental (NON-SA RESIDENTS)
SA Residents: Motorcycle Transport from JHB to Francistown.
All meals
All park fees
Certified Motorcycle Guide & Instructor
Medical First Responder
Support vehicle & trailer
Airport Shuttle from Francistown Airport
Event Merch
GPX routes
Event Photographer
1 Helluvah good time
OPTIONAL
Motorcycle Transport (round trip) JHB to Francistown (R5 000)
Bike Upgrade to Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro ($500)
Kubu Island Sunrise Flight ($250 - 500 dependent on number of PAX)
Nwetwe Pan Half-day Bushman Walk ($150pp)
Not Included?
Kubu Island Sunrise Flight
Fuel
Motorcycle Insurance Deposit
Motorcycle damages
Flights
Alcohol
Rider Requirements?
SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED
Sand is the biggest determining factor into “intermediate/sand”
While there aren’t long stretches of thick sand, there will be sand and you need to be comfortable riding in it.
No beginners.
Must be a confident rider
Each rider is required to have a form of navigation on the bike at all times (GPS or Phone).
Must have a valid motorcycle license.
MEDICAL/TRAVEL INSURANCE: This is an essential item for you to have while on our adventure. We recommend using our partners at Global Rescue who can provide full coverage for our adventures
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS TRIP?
STAY SAFE OUT THERE
Bonafide Moto Co is a Safe travel partner with Global Rescue and recommend that all our guests purchase travel insurance to cover trip cancelation, medical emergencies, field evacuation, emergency assistance and travel delays.
The Global Rescue team can advise regarding travel insurance and emergency services.