Overview
What 'adventurous self-drive' actually is will always be a matter of opinion. Most of our South Africa self-drive trips are fairly straight-forward and easy.
But a couple head into more remote areas. However, it doesn't matter if you are more 'Princess' than 'Survivor', our 'adventurous self drive' trips are all tailor-made. So we start with a lengthy discussion as to what is feasible and comfortable for YOU.
Parts of Namibia are definitely adventurous. But this is discussed on the Namibia self drive page.
However, there are two countries for which we get quite a bit of interest in terms of self-drive safari trips. And which really divide opinion. So it might be useful to say where we would (and wouldn't) recommend...
Adventurous Self-Drive in Mozambique
A self drive safari into Southern Mozambique is only for adventurous travellers.
It's only for those who’ve done a bit of 4x4 driving in challenging conditions elsewhere. Think "World's Worst Roads" and then you will have the right benchmark. Our consultants at Cedarberg have done this trip in Southern Mozambique so we speak from direct experience. We can advise on lodges and appropriate daily distances to travel.
The road through the Mozambique peace park, now connected to South Africa’s Kruger National Park, gives you the opportunity to combine an adventurous safari with the beach. However, we would recommend taking a 4×4 to give you extra confidence on the very sandy roads.
Distances are deceptive and driving in Mozambique takes a LOT of time. There are many rural villages and strict speed limits are strictly enforced. So the furthest north we recommend is to the beach resorts in the Imhabane province. (Vilanculos is too far to drive!)
Note: We dont offer 4x4 self-drive convoys. That is not our jam!
For more on this topic, read our blog 'Adventurous Self drive and the inner Camel Man...'
Adventurous Self-Drive in Botswana
It is rare for our clients to take a self drive safari through Botswana, though we get a lot of initial requests. The country is huge and mostly covered by flat featureless Kalahari Desert.
Many of Botswana’s scenic and wildlife highlights, such as the Okavango Delta are NOT accessible by the tarred road network. And the cross-border fees from Namibia are sizeable. Once people realise that, the interest usually tails off.
However, that is not to say it can’t be done! We recommend it only when you have lots of time, and you wish to combine several countries e.g. Namibia, Botswana and South Africa or Victoria Falls, without flying between them. Even then, it’s best done by leaving your rental car in Maun and flying into the Okavango Delta for a 2-3 night safari.
We do NOT book self-drive into the Okavango Delta for overseas visitors. (Yes it can be done by experienced 4x4 drivers, usually from South Africa, but they travel in a convoy to assist each other!)
Tailor-make these self drive safari trips
We don’t offer any sample adventurous self-drive holidays to southern Mozambique or Botswana. But we'll happily tailor-make a trip for you after discussing your needs.
See Self-drive South-Africa for some more sample self-drive tours...
Ginny Russell
AFRICAN TRAVEL SPECIALIST
