Route A, through the parks (Kasane, Ngoma, Kachikau, Savuti, Mababe, Khwai, Maun) is about 360 to 380 km, mostly sand, needs a high-clearance 4x4, takes 10 to 11 hours of driving and is usually split over 2 to 3 days. It is best from May to October. Route B, on tar via Nata (A33 and A3) is about 600 km, 7 to 9 hours, and fine in an ordinary car. There is no fuel between Kachikau and Maun on Route A, so fill up in Kasane.
Key facts
- Route A (sand): about 360 to 380 km, 4x4 only, 2 to 3 days with nights at Savuti and Khwai.
- Route B (tar): about 600 km via Nata, 7 to 9 hours, any car.
- Fuel on Route A: fill up in Kasane or at the Shell in Muchenje, about 1 km from Lorato. No fuel stations were found between Kachikau and Maun.
- Fuel on Route B: Kasane, Nata and Maun. Fill up at Nata.
- Rainy season: the Savuti Marsh road was closed in January 2026. Route A is best May to October.
The whole route stage by stage
| Stage | Route A: Savuti and Khwai | Route B: tar via Nata |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Ngoma border, then Lorato in Muchenje on the tar | Kasane |
| Middle | Kachikau, Ghoha Gate, Savuti, Mababe Gate, Khwai | Pandamatenga, Nata, Gweta |
| Finish | Shorobe, then tar into Maun | Maun |
| Side trip | Moremi Game Reserve from Khwai | Makgadikgadi pans from Gweta or Nata |
Each leg has its own guide: Ngoma border, Katima Mulilo to Kasane, Kasane to Savuti. The Botswana camping guide has the route map with driving times from Lorato and the campsite operators for each region.
The two routes at a glance
| Route A: through the parks | Route B: tar via Nata | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | about 360 to 380 km (sum of segments) | about 600 km |
| Surface | tar to Kachikau, then sand and gravel, tar again from Shorobe | tar all the way |
| Vehicle | high-clearance 4x4 | any car |
| Driving time | 10 to 11 hours, over 2 to 3 days | 7 to 9 hours, one day |
| Park fees | yes (Chobe; Moremi if you enter it) | no |
| Best season | May to October | all year |
Route A: through Savuti, Mababe and Khwai
- Kasane to Kachikau: about 99 km of tar through the park transit road, past Ngoma, Muchenje and Kavimba. See our Kasane to Savuti guide for this section in detail.
- Kachikau to Ghoha Gate and Savuti: deep sand from Kachikau, about 40 km to a T-junction, then about 7 km to Ghoha Gate, and about 30 km inside the park to Savuti.
- Savuti to Mababe Gate: about 70 km, taking 3 to 5 hours on sand. The marsh road crosses black cotton soil that becomes impassable when wet. Savuti is a through route, not a dead end: our Kasane to Savuti guide covers this onward section in detail.
- Mababe Gate to Khwai and Maun: Maun to Mababe Gate is about 130 km and 3 hours, through the Khwai area to Shorobe, where the tar begins for the last stretch into Maun.
- Overnight stops: most people sleep a night at Savuti (campsites run by SKL) and a night at Khwai. Khwai is a community area. The Khwai Development Trust runs campsites there, and no park entry fees are charged in the community area.
- Fuel: we found no fuel stations between Kachikau and Maun, including at Khwai. Leave Kasane or Muchenje with full tanks and a reserve for deep sand. The Shell in Muchenje, about 1 km from Lorato, takes cards and cash and is the last fuel point before Kachikau.
- Book ahead: park campsites must be booked before you arrive.
Navigation: for detailed track navigation on Route A, use Tracks4Africa GPS maps, which are Garmin-compatible and can be used on a PC to plan routes, or its paper maps for Botswana, which work without signal. See tracks4africa.co.za.
Rainy season: on 23 January 2026 the Department of Wildlife and National Parks closed the Mababe to Savuti Marsh road after heavy rain, and similar closures happened in January 2025. The Mababe Depression's black cotton soil turns to mud. Check the latest advisory and travel with another vehicle.
Route B: the tar road via Nata
- Kasane to Nata: about 300 km on the A33, via Pandamatenga.
- Nata to Maun: about 300 km on the A3, via Gweta.
- Fuel: Kasane, Nata (several stations) and Maun. Pandamatenga has been reported to have fuel. Gweta has been unreliable, so fill up at Nata.
- Elephants: elephants often cross the A33 north of Pandamatenga. Do not drive at night.
- Roadworks: the government announced rebuilding of the Nata to Kasane and Nata to Gweta roads in 2024. Expect roadworks, and check recent reports on the road's condition.
Veterinary checkpoints and food
- Route B: vet checkpoints at Ngwasha (north of Nata) and Makalamabedi (between Maun and Gweta).
- Route A: the Buffalo Fence gate past Shorobe, on the way into Maun.
- General rule: raw meat may not be moved out of foot-and-mouth zones. Cooked meat is usually allowed. Controls were tightened in 2026 after foot-and-mouth cases. See our guide to meat and food at the border.
Park fees
Route A enters Chobe National Park at Ghoha Gate (Savuti) and, if you go into it, Moremi. Fees are paid per person and per vehicle per day. Chobe daily entry is reported at BWP 270 for an international adult. A rise proposed for April 2026 was postponed by two years, so check current rates with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks before you go. See our Ngoma Gate guide for the rates gates are reported to charge.
Where to stay along the way
- Before the sand: Lorato in Muchenje, on the tar. Green grass, $20 per person per night, tents for hire at $55, check-in at any time. Book a campsite near Chobe.
- Savuti: the campsite is run by SKL (14 sites). Book ahead and ask SKL for this year's rate.
- Khwai: community campsites run through the Khwai Development Trust. Confirm booking and payment with the trust before you go.
- Nata and Gweta on Route B: we have not verified campsites on the Nata road, so we do not list any. Ask local tourist offices or check the operator's own site.
Which route should you take?
- Take Route A if you have a well-equipped, high-clearance 4x4, sand-driving experience, booked campsites, and are travelling between May and October. It is one of the great drives in Africa.
- Take Route B in a 2WD, in the rainy season, if you are short of time, or if you are travelling alone.
- Not sure? We can link you with a local guide, or talk the route through with you at camp.
Where Lorato fits
Lorato is on Route A, on the tar between Ngoma and Kachikau, so it is the natural last night before the sand to Savuti. Read our Kasane to Savuti guide for the sand section and the onward route from Savuti to Maun. If you are taking Route B via Nata, Lorato is about 60 km west of Kasane, a good first night if you have just crossed from Namibia at Ngoma.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Kasane to Maun by road?
About 600 km on tar via Nata (7 to 9 hours), or about 360 to 380 km through Savuti and Khwai on sand, which takes 10 to 11 hours of driving over 2 to 3 days.
Can you drive from Kasane to Maun through Chobe?
Yes, through Savuti, Mababe and Khwai, in a high-clearance 4x4 with sand-driving experience. Book campsites ahead and carry enough fuel. It is best from May to October.
Is there fuel between Kasane and Maun through Savuti?
We found no fuel stations between Kachikau and Maun. Fill up in Kasane or at the Shell in Muchenje, about 1 km from Lorato, and carry a reserve.
Can I drive Kasane to Maun in a 2WD?
Only on the tar route via Nata. The route through Savuti needs a high-clearance 4x4.
Is the Savuti road open in the rainy season?
Not always. The Mababe to Savuti Marsh road was closed in January 2026 and January 2025 after heavy rain. Check the latest advisory.
Where can I stay before driving to Savuti?
Lorato in Muchenje, on the tar road between Ngoma and Kachikau, is a good last night before the sand to Savuti.
More guides for your route
Sources
Checked 23 October 2026. Rules, hours and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you travel.
- Ostrich Trails: Savuti
- Ostrich Trails: Khwai
- Camp Savuti directions sheet (March 2026)
- Khwai Development Trust
- Tracks4Africa: GPS and paper maps for Africa, including Botswana and Namibia
- SKL Camps: book a campsite
- ATTA: Chobe road advisory after heavy rains (January 2026)
- Wikipedia: A33 road (Botswana)
- Wikipedia: A3 road (Botswana)
- Tracks4Africa: veterinary fences in Namibia and Botswana
- Nomadic by Nature: self-driving Kasane to Maun
- Mmegi: A3 road upgrade