What Counts as an Adventurous Self-Drive Holiday?
What counts as βadventurousβ is always up for debate. For some, itβs leaving the GPS behind. For others, itβs travelling more than an hour without a cappuccino. But when we talk about adventurous self-drive holidays, we mean journeys into wilder, less-travelled parts of Southern Africaβoften on gravel, sand, or ββroadsββ that may bear no resemblance to those you know.
Most of our self-drive holidays in South Africa, and even Namibia, are comfortable and easy to navigate. But for those seeking something a bit more rugged, hereβs what you need to know.
First Things First: What We Do and Donβt Offer at Cedarberg
- We do tailor-make trips into remote areas of South Africa and Namibia for travellers with a solid sense of adventure.
- We donβt offer 4x4 self-drive convoys βthatβs a specialist game, not our jam.
- We wonβt recommend anything we wouldnβt do ourselves (and many of us have).
We always start with a discussion as to what is feasible and comfortable for YOU.
There is plenty of scope to be more adventurous in both South Africa and Namibia. (Parts of Namibia are definitely adventurous!.) But this is discussed on the Namibia self drive page.
However, there are two other countries for which we get quite a bit of interest in terms of self-drive safari trips.
Adventurous Self-Drive in Mozambique
SUV Required β And a Sense of Humour
A self drive trip intoΒ Southern MozambiqueΒ is only for adventurous travellers.
It's only for those whoβve done a bit of 4x4 driving in challenging conditions elsewhere. Think "World's Worst Roads" and then youβll have the right benchmark.
The road through the Mozambique peace park via South Africaβs Kruger National Park, gives you the opportunity to combine an adventurous safari with the beach. However, we would recommend taking a 4Γ4 to give you extra confidence on theΒ veryΒ sandy roads.
- 4x4 is essential
- Fuel and distance planning is critical
- Travel is slow - thanks to both road conditions and strictly enforced speed limits around villages
- We recommend going no further north than Inhambane Province (think: Tofo or Barra Beach)
Weβve done it ourselves and can advise accordingly.
Want to read more? See our blog article: Adventurous Self drive and the inner Camel Man...'
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Adventurous Self-Drive in Botswana: Whatβs feasible
Why Itβs Rare (and Often Not Recommended)
Botswana sounds like the ultimate road trip. But in reality, itβs better suited to fly-in safaris unless youβre a seasoned traveller with serious time on your hands.
Hereβs why:
- Hefty Cross-border rental charges
- The terrain is flat, remote and often featureless for large stretches
- The big wildlife highlights (Okavango, Chobe) are not reachable by normal car
- So most travellers need to leave their vehicle in Maun, then fly into the Okavango Delta
We do not book self-drive into the Okavango Delta for international visitors. Thatβs strictly the domain of experienced South African 4x4 travellersβusually in convoys, with sand ladders and satellite phones. (And even then, they can get stuck)
So once people realise that, the interest usually tails off.
However, it CAN be done. But only if you have lots of time (several weeks), and you want to combine countries e.g. Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. But even then, you'll need to leave your rental car in Maun and flying into the Okavango Delta for a 2-3 night safari.
So, What Do We Recommend?
Thereβs still plenty of scope for a more rugged self-drive trip:
- Namibiaβs remote north or deep south
- South Africaβs Kalahari Desert, Richtersveld or Far North (Mapungubwe)
- Multi-country combos: e.g. drive from South Africa through Namibia and end in Botswana
These routes offer big landscapes, little traffic, and real adventureβwithout needing to pack your own spare fuel tank. (Though we always arrange an extra spare tyre.)
No Templates, Just Tailored Trips
We donβt offer sample trips because every adventurous traveller is different. But if you have the time, experience and a flexible spirit, weβd love to help build something unique for you.
See our Self-Drive South Africa or Namibia Self-Drive pages for inspiration. Or back to the main page
Download our Insiders Guide to Namibia Safaris
Major Game Reserves, Sample Tours & Camps, plus the low-down on Best Time to Visit! Get our Free Guide hereAnja du Plessis
AFRICAN TRAVEL SPECIALIST