Adventurous Self Drive

A self-drive holiday to Mozambique or Botswana offers an affordable way to get around but there are things to consider…

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 do 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...

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 "Worlds Worst Roads" and then you will have the right benchmark. Our consultants at Cedarberg have done this trip so we speak from direct experience. We can advise on lodges and appropriate daily distances to travel.

Adventurous Self drive - The road through the Mozambique Peace Park.

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 enforced. So the furthest north we recommend is to the beach resorts in the Imhabane province. (Vilanculos is too far to drive!)

For more on this topic, read our blog 'Adventurous Self drive and the inner Camel Man...'

Adventurous Self drive

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. 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 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!)

Adventurous Self drive

Tailor-make these self drive safari trips

So we don’t offer any sample 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...

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Highlights

  • Self-drive is an affordable way to see more remote areas without the need for an expensive private trip.
  • The only easy way to visit some of the beach resorts in Southern Mozambique.
  • The easiest, and again less expensive way, to combine Namibia with parts of Botswana.

Seamless and amazing

"Thank you so much, we have returned and we had the best, best, best time! Thank you so much it was seamless and amazing, I would use Cedarberg again. Thank you Maddy! " Mr Ben Cunningham, USA

Glad we booked with Cedarberg

"They were very informative and helpful. Milandi in particular helped us with car hire and when I lost my wallet on arrival in Cape Town. Milandi was always available to discuss and change anything required. Emails were replied to promptly. " Mr Chris Jones, UK

Exceeded all expectations

"Cedarberg was professional, responsive, and personable. All flights, all transfers, all accommodation, all activities, and the safari itself went exactly to plan. The experience, end-to-end, exceeded all expectations. " Mr Michael Barnard
 

Tasha Eygelaar

Africa Travel Specialist

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Did you know
  • Cross-BorderYou can take rental cars across borders for an extra fee
  • RoutesSome routes are not possible during the summer rainy season

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Thanks for setting up the most glorious flowers trip for us!

"From start to finish we experienced fantastic service from Cedarberg Africa especially from Sonja. The itinerary was perfect, accommodation was great and the suggestions of things to see were very useful. We especially liked the variety of accommodation you set up from glamping to some awesome 5 star establishments. Thank you. We have already provided your company details with other friends who have expressed an interest in using your services. And we may be calling on you again for assistance in setting up our future trips, some being a wine farm tour in the Cape and a trip to Namibia (southern section) – but that is in the future. Thank you once again for your professionalism and passion in the services you offer. " Davies & Edwards family

Glad we booked with Cedarberg

"They were very informative and helpful. Milandi in particular helped us with car hire and when I lost my wallet on arrival in Cape Town. Milandi was always available to discuss and change anything required. Emails were replied to promptly. " Mr Chris Jones, UK

Extremely helpful

"Peter was extremely helpful. He answered any questions and concerns I had really quickly. Cedarberg website is great with lots of tips. I thought the booking information and itinerary were outstanding and all the pre holiday information made us feel really looked after. " Mrs Lottie Murphy, UK