Safari Holidays to South Africa and Namibia for independent travellers.

Contact Phone Numbers

0845 838 2450

Local rate from UK only

0800 981 420

Toll free from SA only

Other +44 1932 268230

The thrill of driving down a road with the bush either side of you, and suddenly having an elephant appear and cross the road in front of you, or spotting a pride of lions lying in the shade under a tree, is wonderful.  

Your personal sense of achievement, plus the fact that you may be the only car or people around at that particular time, gives an unrivalled feeling of being an 'intrepid' explorer in the wilds of the African bush. 

A self-drive safari can be enjoyed at numerous world-class parks and game reserves throughout Southern Africa, and each park and reserve is unique, be it in terms of the wildlife experience, the flora or the scenery.

Self-Drive Safari Links: Kruger National Park, KwaZulu-Natal, Pilanesberg, Eastern Cape, Etosha (Namibia)

To experience this for yourself, click here to book a self-drive safari, or ask us to plan an itinerary for you including a self-drive safari as part of a longer trip to Southern Africa.

Staying On the Road and in Your Car

The only downside to self-drive safaris is that you  must remain on the tarred roads or gravel roads, and are NOT allowed to drive off-road in any circumstances. 

This can be frustrating, especially when you see a small dot in the distance which is an elephant, so a good pair of binoculars is a vital accessory. 

It obviously goes without saying that you are also not allowed to get out of  your vehicle at any time, except at designated viewing points, but care should still be exercised even then.  

On the Look Out

As these are wild animals, there is always no guarantee what you may see. 

Watch out for other parked vehicles, as this is always a good indication that an animal has been sighted.  Keeping your windows wound down and the radio off will enable you to better hear noises in the bush. 

Also using your sense of smell to locate fresh dung may also indicate that an animal is nearby. 

Approaching Animals

When approaching game, drive very slowly and do not rev your engine, as any sudden noise may startle the animal.

Take note of the animal's behaviour - if it looks agitated in any way, or makes mock runs at you, or stares and paces up and down, then drive slowly off.

If you are watching the animal for a long period of time, turn your engine off, but keep your car in gear so that you can make a quick getaway should you need to.  It is also advisable not to angle your car, to avoid having to do a tricky manoeuvre should you need to drive off in a hurry.

What to do if you Break Down

If you are unfortunate to break down, the first rule is - do not panic! 

Stay in your car, and simply wait for a passing vehicle, and attract their attention. 

Ask them to drive to the nearest rest camp for help, and then sit and wait patiently for help to arrive.

Under NO circumstances should you get out of your car and look under the bonnet - you never know what might be lurking in the bush just waiting for a quick and easy snack!

The Best Time to See Wildlife

The best time to see game is early morning, between 6am and 10am, and late afternoon from around 4pm.

During the heat of the day, many animals rest from the midday sun, and it is more difficult to spot them as they shelter under trees  and bushes. 

All the Parks open their gates to visitors at sunrise, and close them at sunset, so you are still able to self-drive at the best times of the day.