Southern Africa 4×4 Self-Drive Travel Advice

Introduction

Southern Africa offers a vast, untamed wilderness filled with wildlife, adventure, and rugged beauty. Here, you can leave behind the frontiers of modern living and embrace the wild, where discovery awaits and your capacity for exploration sets the limits.

Our wide range of camping-equipped and unequipped 4×4 vehicles gives adventurers a unique opportunity to traverse diverse terrains, test their limits, and uncover the essence of this magical continent. Southern Africa welcomes those eager to experience new adventures and enjoy the freedom of traveling by 4×4.

At Drive South Africa, we cater to both local and international adventure travel enthusiasts. We specialise in off-road vehicle hire, 4×4 equipment, and self-drive wildlife safaris.

Where To Go in Southern Africa

South Africa

Top destinations in South Africa include Johannesburg (The City of Gold), Cape Town (The Mother City), and Durban (South Africa’s playground).

Namibia

The top destinations in Namibia include Windhoek, Swakopmund, and Etosha National Park.

Botswana

The top destinations in Botswana are the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, and Gaborone.

We have 4×4 reservations offices in select locations throughout southern Africa:

  • Namibia
  • South Africa

By arrangement, we cater for travellers to the following locations:

  • Lesotho
  • Eswatini (Swaziland)

Our fleet of 4×4 vehicles comprises a wide range of models, including:

  • Land Rover Defender
  • Land Rover Discovery
  • Nissan NP300 (Hardbody)
  • Toyota Hilux
  • Toyota Fortuner
  • Toyota Land Cruiser
  • Ford Ranger

What to Consider When Choosing a 4×4 to Rent:

  • Understand the terrain you’ll be traversing so we can tailor your rental to your needs.
  • Research the advantages and disadvantages of different 4×4 vehicles.
  • Consider the benefits of 4×4 with low range versus without. Typically, low range offers more versatility.
  • Ensure your 4×4 has adequate clearance height.
  • Avoid low-profile tires, which are difficult to replace in remote areas and prone to damage.
  • Know your driving capabilities and how to handle the vehicle.
  • Decide between petrol and diesel based on your itinerary and terrain.

Safari Equipment:

Our 4×4 rentals come equipped with essential safari gear, including:

  • Long-range fuel tanks
  • Rear diff lock and/or centre diff lock
  • Dual battery system
  • Tow strap
  • Jumper cables
  • Rubber sand ladders
  • Puncture repair kit
  • Towbar
  • Basic tool kit
  • High lift jack/air jack
  • Additional spare tire (second spare)
  • Bull bar
  • Steel canopy where necessary
  • Winch (on request, additional cost)
  • GPS (on request, additional cost)
  • Air compressor and tire pressure gauge
  • Two-way radios (on request, additional cost)
  • Satellite phone (on request, additional cost)