South Africa, Botswana and Victoria Falls Self-Drive

Zimbabwe is a rewarding destination for your first self-drive safari. From the thundering waters of Victoria Falls to wildlife encounters in vast natural landscapes, there's plenty to experience along the way.

Even if you have little experience driving a 4x4, you can explore Zimbabwe at your own pace. A route tailored to your driving experience and good preparation will help you set off with confidence.

In our blog Africa for First Timers, you'll find inspiration and practical advice for your first self-drive adventure in Africa.

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You can easily visit Victoria Falls with your rental car. Drive to Victoria Falls, park your 4x4 and explore the different viewpoints on foot. Along the way, you'll see and hear the water plunging into the deep gorge below.

Staying in Kasane, Botswana, and prefer to leave the driving to someone else for the day? We can also arrange an organised day trip to Victoria Falls for you.

That way, you can choose how you'd like to experience this remarkable natural landmark.

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Zimbabwe has both fenced and unfenced campsites. At designated unfenced campsites, you'll stay surrounded by nature, with wildlife sometimes moving through the area around your camp.

You'll fall asleep to the sounds of the bush and wake as the wilderness comes to life around you. It's this closeness to nature that makes camping in Zimbabwe such a memorable experience.

Camping around wildlife does require care and awareness. Always follow the campsite's guidelines, store food and rubbish securely, and keep a safe distance from animals. Avoid walking around the campsite after sunset.

This allows you to experience the wilderness up close while respecting the animals and their natural habitat.

We recommend booking your accommodation in Zimbabwe ahead of time, particularly if you're travelling between June and October. During these months, popular campsites and lodges in wildlife areas such as Hwange, Mana Pools and Gonarezhou can be fully booked several months in advance.

For reservations made through ZimParks, it's important to keep the payment conditions in mind. Full payment is often required within a short period to confirm your booking.

Planning early gives you more choice of places to stay and makes it easier to build your route around them. Travelling at short notice? We'll be happy to check what options are still available.

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You can explore several of Zimbabwe's national parks on a self-drive safari in a 4x4. In Hwange, Zambezi National Park and Mana Pools, you can travel at your own pace, with the freedom to stop and take in what you encounter along the way.

The roads lead through vast wilderness areas, along sandy trails and unpaved tracks. With a suitable 4x4, you'll be better prepared for the changing terrain and can explore less accessible parts of the parks where driving is permitted.

The journeys between the parks are part of the experience too. The landscape changes as you travel, and you may encounter wildlife before you've even reached your next destination.

The dry season, from May to October, is particularly well suited to a self-drive journey through Zimbabwe. Unpaved roads and park tracks are generally easier to navigate, while wildlife gathers more frequently around the remaining waterholes. Hwange is especially rewarding for wildlife viewing during this period.

The landscape changes during the rainy season. The vegetation becomes greener, but rainfall can leave park roads muddy and difficult to drive. Some remote areas, such as Mana Pools, may be closed during this time.

Planning to visit Victoria Falls as well? The falls are generally at their fullest between February and May. Later in the year, as water levels drop, more of the dramatic gorge becomes visible.

The best time to travel depends on what you'd like to see and experience along the way. We'll help you choose a route and travel period that work well together.

We recommend a 4x4 for a journey through Zimbabwe, particularly if you're planning to explore national parks and remote wildlife areas.

Between towns and well-known attractions, you'll often travel on paved roads. Once you venture further into the wilderness, these give way to unpaved park tracks, gravel roads and sandy trails. A suitable 4x4 helps you handle the changing conditions along the way.

For remote areas such as Mana Pools and Lower Zambezi, a 4x4 is essential. The roads here require sufficient ground clearance, traction and good preparation.

We'll help you choose a vehicle and route that suit the areas you'd like to visit and your 4x4 driving experience.

You can easily visit Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe on a day trip from Botswana. If you're staying near Kasane, it's a rewarding addition to your self-drive journey.

At Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River plunges over a wide cliff edge. Walking along the viewpoints, you'll experience the power of the falling water and the rising mist up close.

The trip involves crossing the border into Zimbabwe, so you'll need to allow for border formalities and may have to submit certain details online in advance.

We'll help you prepare for the crossing and can also arrange transport to Victoria Falls. That way, you can leave your 4x4 behind for the day and take your time exploring the falls.

The vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans offer a remarkable landscape to explore by 4x4. But crossing them isn't always possible. The ground needs to be completely dry and firm enough to drive on, and local advice must confirm that the route is safe to use.

Even when the surface looks dry, soft mud may still lie beneath the hard salt crust. That's why the season alone isn't enough to determine whether a crossing is safe.

We'll help you with detailed route maps, check whether your rental company permits the planned crossing and take local conditions into account.

If crossing the pans isn't advisable, we'll help you find an alternative way to experience this remarkable landscape.

In Botswana, you camp at designated campsites. Many of these are located deep in the wilderness, far from towns and main roads. Some campsites are unfenced, which means wildlife may move through the surrounding area.

That's part of what makes camping in Botswana so special. You'll hear the sounds of the bush and experience how the landscape changes as evening falls.

Camping in areas with wildlife does require care. Always follow the rangers' instructions and the campsite's safety guidelines.

We'll help you choose and book campsites that suit your route, so you can enjoy spending the night surrounded by nature, knowing what to expect.

During your self-drive journey through Botswana, we'll arrange bookings at selected campsites along your route. This ensures your overnight stops fit the journey you're planning.

If we book your campsite in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, we'll also arrange and pay for the required park entry fees and permits associated with that stay.

Your travel itinerary will clearly show which campsite reservations, entry fees and permits are included. It will also explain what you need to arrange yourself or pay for locally.

That way, you'll know what's been taken care of before you set off and what to expect along the way.

The deep sandy tracks of Moremi and Savuti require your full attention behind the wheel. Previous sand-driving experience isn't always necessary, but good preparation and confidence in your 4x4 make a real difference.

On some sections, you'll need to lower your tyre pressure to improve traction in the sand. We'll explain how to do this according to the rental company's guidelines and when to inflate your tyres back to the correct pressure.

Not every route is suitable for someone without off-road experience. That's why we consider your driving skills, travel season and current conditions before recommending a route.

That way, you'll know what to expect and can set off well prepared.

It's wise to book your campsites and lodges in Botswana well before your trip. In wildlife areas such as Moremi, Savuti, Khwai and Chobe, camping spaces are limited. Popular locations are often fully booked months in advance.

These remote campsites are part of what makes a self-drive journey through Botswana so memorable. You'll spend the night surrounded by nature, sometimes with wildlife nearby. Planning ahead helps ensure you stay in places that fit your route.

Through our long-standing partnerships with local campsites, we secure availability in advance. This gives our travellers access to distinctive camping locations, even where spaces are limited.

We'll take care of the reservations and plan your route around the available overnight stops. That leaves you free to focus on the landscapes, wildlife and experience of driving through Botswana.

Our 14-day Botswana self-drive trips are a good starting point for your first journey through the country. Over two weeks, you'll experience a variety of vast wildlife areas, distinctive landscapes and encounters with animals in the wild.

The route that suits you best depends partly on your 4x4 driving experience. Some sections involve deep sandy tracks and require more off-road driving skills than others.

We'll look at your experience, travel plans and preferred time of year together. That way, we can choose a route that suits you and help you prepare for the conditions along the way, including practical advice on driving through sand.

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In Botswana, you can go on safari independently in a 4x4. In wildlife areas such as Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, Savuti, the Khwai region and the Central Kalahari, you'll follow unpaved tracks in search of wildlife in its natural habitat.

Driving conditions do require preparation. You may encounter deep sand, changing track conditions and, on some routes, water crossings. A suitable 4x4 is essential, along with a good understanding of off-road driving.

Self-driving gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace. You can stop when you spot wildlife and take your time observing the landscape, while staying on permitted tracks and following the rules of each wildlife area.

We'll help you plan your route, prepare for the journey and choose the right 4x4. We'll take your driving experience and the conditions along the way into account, so you know what to expect.

You can explore Botswana throughout the year. The landscape changes considerably with the seasons, and so does what you can expect along the way.

If wildlife viewing is a priority, May to October is often a good time for a self-drive journey. As the dry season progresses, animals gather more frequently around the remaining water sources, making them easier to observe during your drives through the national parks.

Temperatures vary considerably throughout this period. Nights can be cold in June, July and August, particularly if you're camping. By October, daytime temperatures can become very hot.

Water levels in the Okavango Delta are another important factor. Even during the dry season, high water levels can make certain tracks difficult or impossible to drive.

We'll plan your route around the season, current conditions and your 4x4 driving experience, so you have a clear idea of what to expect along the way.

For a self-drive journey through Botswana's wildlife areas, a 4x4 is essential. Many of the places where you can see wildlife in its natural habitat are reached via deep sandy tracks and unpaved park roads.

In areas such as Moremi, Savuti, Chobe and the Central Kalahari, driving conditions can vary considerably. Soft sand, deep ruts and remote tracks require a suitable 4x4, proper preparation and some understanding of off-road driving.

A 4x4 allows you to explore these areas independently and travel at your own pace. Which routes are suitable depends on your driving experience and the conditions during your travel season.

We'll help you choose a suitable 4x4 and plan a route that matches your experience and travel plans.

From the savannahs of Kruger National Park to the wetlands and coastline of iSimangaliso. Travelling through Eswatini takes you across changing landscapes and reveals a different side of Southern Africa.

From southern Kruger, you'll drive through Eswatini towards St Lucia. Along the way, you can stay near Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary or in the green Ezulwini Valley. From there, continue to St Lucia, your base for exploring iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

We recommend allowing several days for this route. That gives you time to stop along the way and explore the different areas without spending too many long days behind the wheel.

We'll help you plan your overnight stays around the route and arrange the necessary cross-border documents for your rental 4x4.

The Swartberg Pass takes you along a winding gravel road through the mountains of South Africa's Western Cape. In dry weather and good road conditions, you generally don't need a 4x4 to drive this route.

A vehicle with higher ground clearance can make the journey more comfortable. Along the way, you'll encounter narrow bends and steep sections. Take your time, adjust your speed and stop somewhere safe to enjoy the mountain views.

After heavy rain or snowfall, road conditions can change and the pass may be temporarily closed. Always check the latest road conditions before setting off, even if you're travelling in a 4x4.

South Africa is a great place to experience your first self-drive journey by 4x4. You'll travel through varied landscapes, from green coastal roads to wildlife areas where you may encounter animals along the way.

Our Garden Route Selfdrive and Wildlife & Zulu Coast Selfdrive are both rewarding introductions to the country. Each route offers plenty of opportunities to stop along the way and explore South Africa at your own pace.

You don't need previous off-road driving experience for the routes we recommend to first-time 4x4 travellers.

With our travel app, you'll have your itinerary, practical travel information and detailed driving instructions close at hand. That way, you'll know what to expect along the route and can focus on enjoying the journey.

When travelling through South Africa, it's useful to carry both a credit card and some cash in South African rand. This gives you flexibility when paying for things along the way.

Many SANParks national park entrance gates accept electronic payments. Payment options at toll roads vary by location, and foreign credit cards aren't accepted everywhere.

Having some cash is also useful for small shops and unexpected stops along your route.

We recommend travelling with both a payment card and a small amount of cash, so you're prepared for the different payment options you may encounter along the way.

Cape Town and Kruger National Park reveal two very different sides of South Africa. From the coastline, mountains and Winelands around Cape Town to the wide-open savannahs and wildlife of Kruger National Park.

If you have enough time, you can combine both destinations in a varied self-drive journey. Along the way, there's room for memorable stops and the chance to experience South Africa's changing landscapes.

Travelling with less time? A domestic flight can be a practical way to connect two self-drive routes without spending long days behind the wheel.

We'll help you plan an itinerary that gives you enough time in both places, with a comfortable pace and space to enjoy the journey.

It's wise to book your campsites and lodges in South Africa ahead of time. Popular places to stay, particularly in national parks such as Kruger and during school holidays, can fill up quickly.

Planning early gives you more choice of accommodation and allows us to shape your route around the places you'd like to stay. We can often arrange reservations well in advance.

Planning to leave soon? We'll be happy to explore the options with you. We'll check which campsites and lodges are still available for your travel dates and help you find a route that fits.

The Western Cape is a great place to begin your first self-drive journey through South Africa. You could start in Cape Town, travel through the Winelands, head towards the rugged Cederberg Mountains and continue along the coast.

Along the way, mountain passes, vineyards, small towns and wide coastal landscapes create a varied journey. Most of the route follows well-maintained roads, giving you the freedom to stop whenever something catches your eye.

Curious about other African destinations for your first self-drive adventure? Our blog Africa for Beginners explores the possibilities and suggested routes for each country.

In many of South Africa's national parks, you can go on safari in your own vehicle. With your 4x4, you can explore places such as Kruger National Park and Addo Elephant National Park at your own pace, stopping along the way to watch wildlife.

There are a few rules to keep in mind. You'll need to stay on roads open to visitors and follow the park gate opening and closing times. Some routes also require special permits or a guide.

We'll advise you on the possibilities and regulations for each park before you set off. That way, you can choose a route that suits the wildlife you'd like to see and the way you prefer to travel.

You don't need a 4x4 for every route in South Africa. Many well-known destinations are easily accessible with a regular rental car, including the standard tourist roads in Kruger National Park.

If you'd like to venture beyond the main roads, camp in nature or explore more remote areas, a 4x4 gives you greater flexibility. Dedicated 4x4 trails, however, require a suitable off-road vehicle.

The right vehicle depends on the route you'd like to take and the way you prefer to travel.

Tell us what you'd like to see and experience along the way. We'll help you choose a vehicle that suits your plans.

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The Great Migration is an annual journey of vast herds of wildebeest, zebras and other grazing animals through the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. The animals follow the rains and fresh grass, so their exact location varies from season to season and year to year.

January to March: newborn wildebeest on the southern plains

Large herds gather around Ndutu and the southern Serengeti. February is usually the peak calving season, when thousands of wildebeest calves are born. The open plains come alive with newborn animals, while predators search for their next meal.

April to June: the herds move west

The migration gradually moves through the central and western Serengeti. Along the way, long lines of animals stretch across the plains. Their exact route depends on rainfall and the availability of fresh grass.

July to October: the northern Serengeti and Masai Mara

During these months, many herds move towards the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara. This is when you may have the opportunity to witness a river crossing at the Mara River. August and September are often rewarding months for a safari in the Masai Mara.

River crossings are unpredictable. Sometimes the animals wait on the riverbanks for days before making their move. That's why we recommend allowing several safari days in your itinerary.

October to December: the journey south

The herds gradually make their way south again, often passing through the eastern and central Serengeti. As the rains return, fresh grass grows across the southern plains and the annual cycle begins again.

A self-drive safari following the Great Migration

You don't need to visit both Tanzania and Kenya to experience the Great Migration. We'll plan your route around your travel dates and select lodges and campsites in areas where you're more likely to encounter the herds during that season.

Tell us when you'd like to travel. We'll help you plan a suitable self-drive route, arrange your accommodation and, if you prefer, include a local guide.

That way, you'll have time to follow the migration at your own pace, while keeping in mind that the animals' exact movements can never be guaranteed.

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