4×4 Self-Drive Africa: Ultimate Guide to Driving in Africa

South Africa, not East Africa, is usually the place to go for a self-drive safari. An organized trip gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and includes detailed maps and route descriptions with journey times and petrol stations marked. The reliable road system in South Africa makes self-driving a fun family vacation that feels like an adventure. Namibia has good Tarmac roads, which are straight and traffic-free, but 4x4s are usually recommended for game drives. The drive from Windhoek to Sossusvlei and from Sossuvlei to Swakopmund is longer, at five to six hours. So relax and enjoy the journey, but make sure to include some driving-free days as well.