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Safari Sto Gran Tour
Gran Trip to

Botswana

Calendar
14 days
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Spirit of adventure
Extreme
Sleep under the stars, drive through the desert, face the unexpected: it’s a journey for true free spirits.
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Rhythm of the journey
Intense
Wow, there’s so much to experience. We race through it far and wide, with little desire to stop.
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Self Drive
Oh yesss
You’re the one with your hands on the wheel (or someone in your group is). Can you imagine how awesome that would be?

This Great Trip to Botswana

Sure, you can choose pretty much any tour in Botswana. It’ll probably be nice, because Botswana always is. Or… or!! You can choose to explore Botswana with us and find yourself driving through mud, crossing deserts, learning how to do a self-drive safari, setting up base camp, taking it down, setting it up, taking it down, setting it up again (you get the idea), surviving the savannah, and living the trip of a lifetime. The kind of trip that has you coming home wondering, “Damn, what did I just experience?!”

Sound the trumpets: we’re off to the Great Botswana!

On this epic group adventure, we explore the country and cross through all its natural parks, experiencing every corner of them and even sleeping right inside. We spend 15 days traveling through incredible places in 4x4 Jeeps equipped with rooftop tents. Forget a trip to the zoo! We head into the most remote parts of the country. Can you imagine how amazing it is to camp among hyenas, elephants, and buffalo wandering around us with no fences at all? So far, everyone has survived.

We set off from Maun, crossing the Kalahari Desert, the Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pan. At one point, we stop in the Nata community reserve where, depending on the season, we might spot hundreds of thousands of pink flamingos. From there, we push on to Kazungula to visit the world-famous Victoria Falls, and maybe even take a helicopter flight over them. Great idea! Then off we go into Chobe National Park and across the Savuti area: lions, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, antelope, and sunsets so stunning they’ll leave your jaw on the ground. We follow animal tracks to the Khwai River and then venture deeper and deeper into the Okavango Delta.

Helicopter flights over the Delta, visits to orphaned elephant sanctuaries, and even a mokoro safari, Botswana’s traditional canoe. How much is there to experience here? A whole lot. Pure excitement.
Let’s calm down for a second. Good. Now here’s a quick summary of some of the amazing highlights we’ll experience together.

🍌 The Okavango Delta
🍌 Victoria Falls
🍌 Chobe National Park
🍌 Moremi National Park
🍌 Mokoro water safaris
🍌 Maun with helicopter flights
🍌 Makgadikgadi Pan
🍌 Nxai Pan

Now then. This group adventure trip in Botswana might feel a little intimidating. Fair enough. But know this: over the years, people have joined who could barely tie their own shoes, and they came back still not really able to do it, but gloriously dirty and ridiculously happy.

Throughout the journey, you’ll be accompanied by a Sto Gran Tour Safari team leader—that is, someone who might actually convince you to taste rhino dung and who trained at a real FGASA Ranger school in Southern Africa, right in the middle of the savannah and its wildlife.

We don’t travel just to say, “I’ve been there,” but to feel, “Damn, I’ve changed.” We’re here to take you on the most beautiful adventure trip of your life. The one you imagine, only even more so.
Botswana, here we come!

Experiences you'll live
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Sleep in a tent in the heart of the savannah, at an unfenced base camp.
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Taste elephant dung in the middle of the savanna. And this is no joke.
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Getting a flat tire in the middle of a pride of lions, hoping they’re already full.
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Drink a few beers around the fire in the evening, under the stars.
What we've got
(And the others don't, MUAHAHA)
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Self-drive — you’re the one driving (if you want)
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Certified ranger team leader
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You can customize your trip with extra activities
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You can depart from the airport you prefer

Discover this gran trip

Check out the itinerary

Boring but important stuff to know

Deposit and registration

To sign up for the trip, you need to:
🍌 Pay a deposit, which will be indicated during registration, to confirm your spot.
🍌 The remaining balance must be paid 45 days before departure.

And what about the payment method?
🍌 You can pay by bank transfer.
🍌 You can pay by card.
🍌 You can pay for your trip in up to 12 installments with HeyLight.

We will show you the final cost of the trip, including any extras you select, during the registration process and in your personal area.

What's included, and what's not

Included in the trip price

Not included in the trip price

Common fund

Pick your extra activities

Customize your itinerary!
Great idea, with us you can. You can tweak every itinerary by adding the extra activities you want to do on the trip. We've tested and approved every single one. So instead of putting up with an "all inclusive" and paying for stuff you don't like, you're free to choose.

Book your date

You might have questions, we definitely have answers

Deposit, balance, and insurance

Here’s how payments work:

🍌 A deposit is due at the time of booking to confirm your spot.
🍌 The remaining balance is paid 45 days before departure, directly in your personal area.
🍌 You can pay by bank transfer, card, or in installments. Choose whatever is most convenient for you.
🍌 We’ll show you the final trip price, including any extras you select, during the booking process, in the confirmation email, and in your personal area.

🍌 Before departure, you can purchase cancellation insurance to cover the cancellation of your trip, provided the reason for cancellation falls within the covered cases listed in the insurance PDF. You can view and download this PDF during the booking process, before confirming your trip.
🍌 Purchasing the cancellation insurance we offer is not mandatory. If you feel it doesn’t meet your needs, you can take out your own policy and we’ll still be friends and travel buddies.
🍌 Sto Gran Tour accepts no responsibility if the participant’s reason for cancelling the trip does not fall within the cases covered by the insurance.
🍌 Medical and baggage insurance, on the other hand, is always included in the trip price.
How air travel works

🍌 With us, your flight is always included in the trip price, departing from Milan or Rome depending on the departure date.
🍌 For an additional fee, you can choose a different departure airport. For example: Catania, Naples, Bologna, London... it’s up to you. And if you can’t find your airport, just write to us.
🍌 The group may have different flight schedules, depending on airline availability and the order in which participants book.
🍌 We’ll let you know your flight times in your personal area as soon as they are available.
🍌 A booking for two people does not automatically include seats together on the plane, as seat selection comes at an extra cost. However, you can request and add it through your personal area.
🍌 Unless otherwise stated, the flight booking does not include checked baggage. If you really, really want to add it, hey, no problem! You can add it through your personal area.
🍌 If you are absent at the airport on the day of departure due to personal unforeseen circumstances, delays or cancellations of connecting flights, or other means of transport, you will need to reach the destination independently on another flight at your own expense. We’ll help you find the flight, as long as you buy the first round of beers when you catch up with us.
Flight-free option

If you’d rather arrange your own flights, no problem! You can choose the “without flights” option when you sign up. We’ll deduct the flight cost from the trip price, and that’s it. Please note:

🍌 With the “without flights” option, airport transfers are not included.
🍌 With the “without flights” option, domestic/internal flights are still included and arranged by us.
🍌 With the “without flights” option, we ask you to share the flight times you plan to book so we can confirm they are compatible with the rest of the group.
🍌 With the “without flights” option, before purchasing your flights you must wait until the trip is confirmed. If you buy them before confirmation, we will not refund the flight portion.
Self-drive

What a pain it is when, on your trip, you have to depend on buses and drivers with standard working hours, right? And have you ever seen a backpacking adventurer rolling around in a 50-seat coach with a private driver? Nah. On our trips, we prefer the self-drive formula. Meaning: you park your butt in the driver’s seat and drive — you experience the road firsthand. You’re the one behind the wheel, if you want to be. And if you don’t, that’s fine too. There’s always a need for someone to play navigator in the middle of the desert, put on the perfect playlist, and be the one who goes, “Guys… I think that explosion might have been our tire. Hold on.”

🍌 Can we take turns driving? Yes. This Big Trip is organized to keep driving flexible: anyone in the group can get behind the wheel, as long as they let us know in their personal area before departure.
🍌 Insurance and what it covers: You’ll find all the details in the “vehicle insurance” FAQ. Off you go!
🍌 Vehicle pickup: To collect the vehicle, Sto Gran Tour provides its own credit card, so even travelers who don’t have one can still join (you’re welcome).

🍌 Route and flexibility: We created the itinerary with our own hands, after testing it ourselves in real life. It’s designed to cover the coolest stops, at the right pace, with sensible breaks along the way. But it’s not set in stone: if we want to stay longer, change route, and explore a place, we decide it together as a group. That’s the beauty of self-drive!
🍌 What happens if we wreck the car or break down? We’re not getting arrested and we’re not ending up behind bars. The vehicle is insured (see the “vehicle insurance” FAQ). In any case, the Team Leader will handle the process by contacting the company or the local partner for assistance. And the Team Leader will always have Sto Gran Tour staff connected remotely too, 24/7. Seriously: day and night, every single day.
Vehicle insurance

In the true spirit of adventure and to enjoy an authentic travel experience, the group will drive the rental vehicles in self-drive mode.

🍌 An extra convenience for those traveling with us: Sto Gran Tour provides its own credit card as the guarantee for the vehicle rental, taking on the deposit required by the rental company, including any potential damages or additional costs. This means that even travelers who do not have a credit card can still drive, and the vehicle pick-up process is simpler for the whole group.

🍌 Each vehicle will be covered by full Kasko insurance. The cost (a small amount), shared among the participants, is included in the common trip expenses. You can pay your share directly in your personal area before departure. We believe this is the best way to avoid significant expenses if needed and to ensure that the full responsibility does not fall on the volunteer drivers.

🍌 If you prefer not to pay the small Kasko fee, you can choose to rent the vehicle using your own personal credit card, or to pay the required rental excess/deposit instead. You will be able to select this option in your personal area.

At the time of pick-up, all participants (not only the drivers) are responsible for checking that the insurance is in place and for taking photos of the vehicle, to avoid any unpleasant surprises or unfair charges when returning it.
Crews

For Sto Gran Viaggio, we form crews made up of 4 people. Each crew works together to ensure the adventure goes smoothly, managing their own transport, meals, and in some cases accommodation.

The group usually comes from all over Italy and is made up of open-minded people who love new experiences. You don’t have to be an experienced traveler, nor do you need to have joined group trips before. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re coming alone, with your girlfriend, or with your dad. What really matters is the spirit you bring with you: the desire and curiosity to explore and experience the world. It will be what you imagine, only even more so.

One month before departure, we’ll open the Wazzzzup group where you can start getting to know the other participants. You’ll find the link to Sto Gran Gruppo in your personal area.
The Safari Team Leader

The Safari Team Leader is a specialized Sto Gran Tour professional who has studied in the African continent. They have obtained FGASA certification.

And what do they do during the trip, you may be wondering?! Well, the Safari Team Leader coordinates the group throughout the journey, handling logistics and providing ongoing support while fostering team spirit, without being a traditional tour guide. They do not act as a wildlife guide, but they make sure the trip’s stages run according to the planned itinerary, as far as possible depending on circumstances and the group’s needs. They share useful tips about the itinerary, help manage schedules, and facilitate the organization of each day. Basically, a saint. They are the go-to person for questions, unexpected situations, and logistical needs. In short, like a super-functional Swiss Army knife who is always on the ball.
Group and travel companions

Groups usually consist of 3 to 17 travelers, plus a Trip Leader. The exact number varies depending on the trip. The average age on our trips is generally between 25 and 45, with a few exceptions.

Our groups usually include people from all over Italy, and they’re open-minded travelers who love new experiences. You don’t need to be an experienced traveler, and you don’t need to have joined a group trip before. It doesn’t matter whether you’re traveling solo, with your girlfriend, or with your dad. What really matters is the mindset you bring: the desire and curiosity to explore and experience the world. It’ll be what you imagine — but even more so.

About one month before departure, we’ll open the Wazzzzup group so you can start getting to know the other participants. You’ll find the Sto Gran Gruppo link in your personal area.

We confirm and activate the trip once we have at least 4 to 6 participants. If we don’t reach the minimum number of travelers, you can change your date free of charge to the nearest available departure, either for the same destination or for a different one. Or you can request a full refund. So when will you know whether the trip is confirmed or not? About one month before departure, when we review the final number of participants.

P.S.
Are you cursing us out because you’d love to travel with us, but you think you’re outside the age range? Write to us — we might still be able to travel together. And in the worst-case scenario, at least you can insult us in person.
Group confirmation

Our trips are almost always confirmed. For groups that are still pending confirmation, we will send you regular updates through your personal area. If we do not reach the minimum number of participants (generally 3), you may change your date free of charge to the nearest available departure, either for the same destination or a different one, or receive a full refund. For trips with only one departure date, the "Trip Status" is shown.
How extra activities work

You can personalize your trip with extra activities, which you can choose either when you book or later on. Please note:

🍌If an activity is canceled by the provider, you will be refunded.
🍌Any special equipment required for each activity will be provided on site.
🍌You can also choose activities after booking and add them from your personal area for an additional €5.
🍌We cannot guarantee activity availability if you add them close to your departure date.
🍌During peak seasons, such as New Year’s and summer, we cannot guarantee activity availability unless you book well in advance.
🍌Activity prices may increase at the providers’ discretion.

One more thing: the activities are organized by local providers, and we at Sto Gran Tour are not responsible for changes, availability, or cancellations.
Travel itinerary and changes

Even if you're joining an organized trip, the spirit is that of a true road trip. Absolutely! This is a real journey: unexpected events, pleasant unplanned moments along the itinerary, stops, weather-related disruptions, and more. In practice, what does this mean?

🍌 The program, as well as the order of the days, may change.
🍌 Nature is in charge. We do not provide refunds of the amount paid for itinerary changes caused by weather conditions.
🍌 Mechanical issues can happen. We do not provide refunds of the amount paid for itinerary changes caused by mechanical problems (for example, a flat tire, a blown fuse, a broken window, a stolen side mirror, and things like that).
🍌 If travel days or activities are missed due to bad weather or issues caused by suppliers, we will try to make them up if the group agrees to the new travel solution and only if the Trip Leader considers it feasible.
🍌 The layout/size of the means of transport may change from what is indicated in the travel program due to local availability.
How much adaptability is needed

A four-star place here might come with a rough towel and a gurgling drain. And a place without even a single star might serve the best dinner of the whole trip. Ratings are local, and so are the standards used to judge them. In practice, this means:

🍌 Cleanliness may sometimes fall short. Let the Crew Leader know and we’ll step in, but don’t expect a seaside resort hotel on the Romagna coast.
🍌 We work directly with our suppliers, without middlemen, and that helps us sort out a lot of things. That said, we’re not masters of other people’s time, so do allow for some waiting now and then.

Good manners and respect are always the foundation of exploring the world!

Got questions buzzing around your head? Write to us

We're here to listen, tell us everything!
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An evening on your trip

An evening on your trip

Imagine being in the middle of nowhere on the savannah. The sun has gone down over the bush. You’re sitting by the fire on a creaky folding chair that somehow stays upright in defiance of the laws of physics. The jeep is parked just a few meters away, with the rooftop tent already set up. No fences around us at all. Someone is finishing up washing the dishes with a jerrycan of water, someone else has just made coffee on the camp stove, and all you have to think about is opening a few beers with a pair of pliers. In the distance, you hear a trumpet and think it could just as easily be an elephant as your trip leader, who may have gone a bit overboard with the braai. Above you are about a trillion stars, and you’re still struggling to process just how incredible what we experienced today was: you will never forget the wildlife of the Okavango Delta.

This epic Botswana is exactly what you imagine — and then some.

Other trips that might get you hyped

Botswana
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