Best Self-Drive Safaris in Africa Complete Beginner’s Guide

Best Self-Drive Safaris in Africa Complete Beginner’s Guide. Our Best African self-drive safari tours, Itineraries and Road Trips, have been created with the independent and adventurous traveler in mind and are far less daunting than you might imagine. + Holidays Adventures can be an exciting and rewarding way to experience the continent’s natural beauty and wildlife.

Keen to explore Africa at your own pace? Our best African self-drive safaris have been created with the independent and adventurous traveler in mind and are far less daunting than you might imagine.

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View our selection of self-drive safaris in Africa or get in touch with us. One of our African Safari Experts will help you decide which trip best suits your needs or they may create a personalized itinerary for you that includes car rental, carefully chosen lodging, and clear directions.

Our Top African Self-drive Safaris

Questions About Africa Self drive Safaris & Tours

If you’re a little bit of an explorer, an African self-drive safari might be right up your sleeve. Nothing compares to traveling through Africa at your own pace and on your own schedule.

While the majority of safari packages follow a predetermined itinerary, a self-drive safari gives you more freedom. Yes, you will need to make reservations for your campsites and other lodging well in advance, which will restrict your freedom.

The decision of the route to go, the length of time spent watching the lions hunt, and the length of time spent stopping for lunch will be yours. Freedom carries a sense of responsibility because you are the one who must handle any problems that may arise. However, assistance is always just a satellite phone call away, so it’s a tiny price to pay for the kind of safari vacation you’ll never forget.

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• Why should I choose a self-drive safari in Africa?

“A self-drive safari is the best way to experience Africa. This kind of journey sharpens the senses since you become an active participant in Africa’s drama rather than just an observer. You determine the speed, which fork in the road to take, and how long to stop at each junction. There is nothing between you and the untamed areas you have come to view every time you get out of your car. Although letting someone else take charge and make the decisions would undoubtedly be simpler, the self-drive trip is an amazing experience. Africa Self drive safaris are typically less expensive than other types of safaris. Although renting a car is pricey, if you’re going on a self-drive camping safari you will save greatly on accommodation costs.”

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• Which countries are most geared to self-drive safaris in Africa?

“Most African nations allow for self-drive safaris, although South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia are likely the best. South Africa typically combines a safari with other tourist destinations and provides fewer “wild” self-drive tours as a result. Kruger, on the other hand, is undoubtedly the most well-known and simple park for self-drive safaris, making it ideal for beginners. They’re perfect for individuals on their first such trip in Africa because of their extensive history of self-drive exploration, well-maintained roads and tracks, and low traffic.

Although there is high traffic in some areas of the country and some roads can be in poor shape, Zambia is not far behind. Furthermore, there is nothing stopping you from independently driving through Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Zimbabwe as long as you utilize backroads whenever possible. But keep in mind that, at least on main roads, traffic can be considerable in all of these nations.

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• Do I need 4×4 African experience?

It is strongly advised that you enroll in a 4×4 course, preferably in the vehicle you will be driving on your safari, for the majority of self-drive safaris in Africa. The majority of the parks in South Africa, Botswana, Madagascar, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Zanzibar including Kruger, have paved roads, with the exception of Kgalagadi, where gravel roads are more common.

An Africa self drive safari is a serious effort by definition. Being in the middle of the abundantly animal-populated Okavango Delta with darkness quickly approaching is not the best time to figure out how to engage the car’s 4×4 or re-inflate the tires.

Such day courses can be scheduled through a variety of rental agencies and self-drive safari providers. You will be able to navigate the course with ease thanks to your newfound knowledge and assurance.

When you pick up the vehicle, the majority of drivers and car-rental businesses give you a driving overview. You might be okay with just this information if you just want to travel on major thoroughfares and safari routes through parks and reserves.

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• African self drive safari cost?

“The cost of a car alone often starts at about $100 USD each day. However, for a fully equipped 4×4 camper, it can exceed $170-350 USD each day, sometimes dramatically. But keep in mind that this is the price per car, to be split among everyone who will be riding in it. Petrol, camping fees and/or lodging expenses, satellite phone costs, and food supplies are additional costs per day that might differ greatly from one country to the next. Most of these will be included in some operators’ rates, while gasoline is typically viewed as an extra expense. There are many options for self-drive safari packages.

• What should I do when I encounter animals?

“Remain inside your car. Never exit your car when there are animals nearby. Ever. The majority of national parks have speed restrictions that rarely go beyond 40 km/h (25 mph), and in many cases, you should drive even more slowly. When there are animals around (or even when you only fear they could be around), be prepared to stop abruptly. Some wild animals can be unpredictable and nervous around vehicles. How near is too close will become clear to you shortly.

Slowly approach the animal and look out for any indications that it might be getting irritated. Never put yourself between a mother and her child. Also keep in mind that some animals, like rhinos, have poor vision and may charge if they perceive (or even only think) a threat.

Avoid taking any actions that would make the automobile appear different to an animal, such as getting on the top, dangling limbs outside, or opening doors. It’s always preferable to observe an animal encounter from a safe distance as opposed to attempting to approach it too closely and scaring it away. Always drive carefully in general.

To avoid accidents, go more slowly. Stop to take in the scenery. And be ready to wait for wildlife to move on, engage in fascinating behavior, or descend to the waterhole to drink.

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• What should I consider when choosing this type of African safari?

“Whether self-driving is right for you is the biggest question. Driving by yourself throughout Africa might be a thrilling adventure, but it’s not for everyone. A guided safari might be appropriate if this is supposed to be a peaceful vacation.

You’ll spend a lot of time each day setting up and breaking down camp, cooking, and sleeping on what are typically thin mattresses when you go on a self-drive camping safari. Additionally, you need to be realistic in your goals, making sure that your daily distances are manageable. Include a few downtime days along the route. You can easily sabotage your trip by breaking down in the middle of nowhere without a phone signal. Make sure you have a satellite with you.