Salt Pans Ultra Run and Safari

Welcome to Maun – Botswana’s vibrant tourism hub and the gateway to the breathtaking Okavango Delta. This lively town is the perfect starting point for exploring the Central Kalahari, the Boteti River, and the vast Salt Pans, offering a diverse blend of landscapes and wildlife experiences.

Upon arrival, settle in and unwind at Sedia Hotel, where you can relax by the pool and soak in the tranquil atmosphere. Alternatively, dive into Maun’s rich culture with a guided cultural tour, where you’ll explore the town’s fascinating history, visit local markets, and experience traditional crafts and storytelling.

No matter how you choose to spend your first day, Maun welcomes you with warm hospitality and a taste of adventure!

As you travel to and from the Boteti River, you’ll get a glimpse of the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, one of the world’s largest salt flats and home to the Salt Pans Ultra Marathon. This rugged and breathtaking landscape offers a stark contrast to the lush Okavango Delta, showcasing the diverse beauty of Botswana.

Boteti River Camp provides an excellent base from which to explore the picturesque region while offering comfortable accommodation, lively and warm hosting, wholesome meals, and a stunning viewpoint over the surrounding wilderness. 

Whether savouring the kitchen’s homestyle flavours, enjoying refreshments at the colourful bar, relaxing by the swimming-pool, or simply lazing around the lounge on the viewing deck, you are made to feel at home from the moment you step in.

Wake up to the sounds of nature at Boteti River Camp, a charming eco-friendly retreat near Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The Boteti River, a vital lifeline for wildlife, marks the western boundary of the park and attracts large herds of zebra, wildebeest, elephants, and predators like lions and leopards.

Your days will be filled with a mix of morning and afternoon game drives, offering incredible wildlife viewing along the riverbanks and into the national park. Expect to see Africa’s second-largest zebra migration, a spectacle as thousands of animals move between grazing lands.

For a cultural experience, visit a nearby village and school to gain insight into local traditions and daily life. This is a wonderful opportunity to interact with the community and understand the unique coexistence between people and wildlife in the area.

Between activities, unwind at the camp’s viewing deck, which overlooks the Boteti River—a perfect spot to watch animals gathering to drink. You can also relax by the pool, soaking in the tranquility of the Botswana wilderness.

Your journey begins in the morning as you leave the wild and rugged landscapes of the Boteti River. Traveling along the southern edge of the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, you’ll witness the striking transition from riverine woodland to the endless, white expanse of the pans.

Upon arrival at the Salt Pans Ultra Marathon Camp, take the day to settle in, explore the unique surroundings, and soak in the otherworldly beauty of this remote wilderness. Use this time to relax, hydrate, and mentally prepare for the big race ahead. As the sun sets over the pans, enjoy a sundowner at our race briefing in the pans and an dinner under the stars before turning in for an early night—ready for the adventure that awaits at dawn.

The moment you’ve been training for has arrived—race day at the Salt Pans Ultra Marathon! Either under the stars or as the first light breaks over the horizon, runners will set off across the seemingly endless expanse of the pans, testing their endurance in one of the most unique ultra marathons in the world. Whether you’re tackling the 50km or the grueling 100km distance, you’ll experience the raw beauty of this untouched landscape, with mirages dancing in the distance.

The race is as much a mental challenge as a physical one, pushing you to your limits in an environment unlike any other. After crossing the finish line, celebrate your achievement with fellow runners and enjoy a well-earned evening of rest and camaraderie at the camp.

After an early breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to the salt pans. We’ll transfer you back to Maun, where you will spend the night at the Sedia Hotel. Here, you can unwind and recover from the race. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and reflect on your incredible ultra marathon experience.

If you’re up for more adventure, optional activities such as a visit at Elephant Haven, a Sightseeing Tour through Maun or dinner at the Okavango Beer Brauhouse can be arranged.

Set on the banks of the Khwai River within the heart of the Mababe Private Concession, Mababe Tented Camp is an exclusive new addition to the Bush Ways collection. Designed as a seasonal camp, open from April to November, it promises guests a front-row seat to one of Botswana’s most pristine and wildlife-rich areas.

With just 8 Meru tents accommodating a maximum of 16 guests, Mababe Tented Camp provides an intimate safari experience. Each tent is positioned along the riverfront and features an en-suite bathroom with indoor shower and thoughtful comforts including fans and hot water bottles. Twin and double configurations make the camp ideal for solo travellers, couples, friends and families alike.

The Camp is proudly eco-friendly, powered by solar with a back-up generator, and designed to leave zero footprint on the land. From here, guests set out to explore the concession and surrounding areas on game drives and mokoro excursions, witnessing elephants, predators, and abundant birdlife.

Travellers are invited to step into a place of tranquility and seclusion, where the rhythm of the bush unfolds at nature’s pace.

The Khwai River is the lifeline of this region — a year-round, ever-flowing water source that draws wildlife in remarkable numbers. Its channels, floodplains, and riverine woodlands create one of Botswana’s most reliable and rewarding wildlife corridors, with elephants, hippos, buffalo, and an impressive diversity of birdlife appearing throughout the day. The riverbanks come alive especially in the late afternoon, offering exceptional viewing and photographic opportunities as animals gather to drink, feed, and cool off.

Just south of Khwai, the Mababe River adds another dynamic layer to the ecosystem. Depending on the season, it forms shallow pools and marshy pockets that attract plains game, predators, and migratory species. This interplay between the Khwai and Mababe waterways supports a thriving and ever-changing wildlife landscape.

While the wider Mababe area is known for its open marsh plains and healthy predator populations, it is ultimately the water systems themselves — Khwai and Mababe — that make this area so rich in wildlife encounters. Along these riverbanks, guests can often spot elephants, sable antelope, leopards, lions, wild dogs, and countless smaller species during game drives.

Today offers one of the most iconic and tranquil experiences in Botswana — a mokoro excursion through the waterways fed by the Khwai and Okavango systems. A mokoro is a traditional dugout canoe historically carved from large trees, used by the Bayei and other communities of the Delta for transport, fishing, and navigating the floodplains long before tourism existed. Today, most mokoros are crafted from sustainable fiberglass to protect the region’s trees, but the experience remains deeply rooted in local tradition. Guided by skilled polers from nearby villages, guests glide silently through the shallow channels, passing water lilies, reed beds, and the abundant birdlife that thrives in these calm waters.

For many visitors, a mokoro trip becomes a highlight of their Botswana journey — not only for the scenery, but for the sense of connection to the people who call the Delta home. Your poler will share stories about the wetlands, explain how mokoros shaped everyday life, and point out wildlife along the way, from tiny reed frogs to elephants drinking at the water’s edge. It’s a peaceful, slow-paced encounter with nature and culture, offering a deeper understanding of the rhythms and traditions of the Delta before returning to Mababe Tented Camp for a relaxed afternoon.

Upon arrival back in Maun you can opt for a leisurely day at the pool at Sedia Hotel, or alternatively, join us for a guided tour of Maun, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore local cuisine or learn more about local art at the Nhabe Museum.

For those interested, we offer an optional excursion to Elephant Haven, a sanctuary dedicated to caring for orphaned elephants that have lost their families. It’s a unique opportunity to witness firsthand the incredible work being done to protect and rehabilitate these majestic creatures.

For added convenience, airport transfers is arranged upon booking. Kindly confirm your arrangements with the hotel to ensure a smooth departure.