mick
12-05-2010, 05:48 PM
If you have ever considered visiting Africa on the road less traveled, know that it CAN BE DONE - even by people with limited experience or finances, BUT start in the South.
As a qualified 4x4 driver-trainer and registered 4x4 Tour guide I see many people, alone or in groups, who come to Cape Town, hire a fully-equipped 4x4 and "Do" the Southern parts of Africa up to Caprivi and Vic Falls before turning back. IMHO a fully-equipped 4x4 hire with unlimited distance is not overly expensive. In fact, hiring one is prolly cheaper than owning one. You can also start in other places (e.g. Johannesburg), but Cape Town is a great place to visit anyway.
If you are concerned about your abilities and african driving conditions, do a one or two-day course with a 4x4 instructor in the Winelands of the Cape, then spend 2 or 3 days getting supplies and seeing all that Cape Town has to offer. Then head North to Namibia, or East along the Garden Route, then maybe Durban and then up to Kruger - depending on time. You can also do Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique if you have time, as I have just been there and had no problems anywhere.
If you stay in your rooftop tent and mostly camp, your expenses will be quite reasonable, but you should budget for a B&B or hotel at least once a week so you can restock, fix things, ask questions locally and get ready for the next leg.
Consider 2 to 6 weeks (Its a big country so time will dictate what you can do). Also if you have special interests like geology, birdwatching, scenery, etc be certain to mention that, as not everyone is an expert in everything, but they will know who to contact.
Obviously you can opt for fully-catered trips, stayovers only in hotels, fly-ins etc, but that will depend on your pocket and itinerary. My advice is to start with the minimum you can handle, and then keep a bit aside for luxuries like a Makoro trip into the Botswana swamps, or a flip over the Falls (or a Bungy-jump or whitewater raft the river below the falls) etc etc.
We have German clients who are in their 70's, have been out 8 times and now know the country better than I do and they make friends with everyone. They are our friends too now, and tag along on our tours, but actually prefer to do their own thing.
To make it happen,
If you want to brush up your 4x4 skills, contact a trainer through SANOTA www.sanota.org.
To help plan your tour and/or accompany you on your tour, contact a 4x4 guide through the 4-Wheel Drive Guides Association www.4wdga.com (Now OGATO)
Or send me a private message and I will be happy to help, or to touring@4x4store.co.za
As a qualified 4x4 driver-trainer and registered 4x4 Tour guide I see many people, alone or in groups, who come to Cape Town, hire a fully-equipped 4x4 and "Do" the Southern parts of Africa up to Caprivi and Vic Falls before turning back. IMHO a fully-equipped 4x4 hire with unlimited distance is not overly expensive. In fact, hiring one is prolly cheaper than owning one. You can also start in other places (e.g. Johannesburg), but Cape Town is a great place to visit anyway.
If you are concerned about your abilities and african driving conditions, do a one or two-day course with a 4x4 instructor in the Winelands of the Cape, then spend 2 or 3 days getting supplies and seeing all that Cape Town has to offer. Then head North to Namibia, or East along the Garden Route, then maybe Durban and then up to Kruger - depending on time. You can also do Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique if you have time, as I have just been there and had no problems anywhere.
If you stay in your rooftop tent and mostly camp, your expenses will be quite reasonable, but you should budget for a B&B or hotel at least once a week so you can restock, fix things, ask questions locally and get ready for the next leg.
Consider 2 to 6 weeks (Its a big country so time will dictate what you can do). Also if you have special interests like geology, birdwatching, scenery, etc be certain to mention that, as not everyone is an expert in everything, but they will know who to contact.
Obviously you can opt for fully-catered trips, stayovers only in hotels, fly-ins etc, but that will depend on your pocket and itinerary. My advice is to start with the minimum you can handle, and then keep a bit aside for luxuries like a Makoro trip into the Botswana swamps, or a flip over the Falls (or a Bungy-jump or whitewater raft the river below the falls) etc etc.
We have German clients who are in their 70's, have been out 8 times and now know the country better than I do and they make friends with everyone. They are our friends too now, and tag along on our tours, but actually prefer to do their own thing.
To make it happen,
If you want to brush up your 4x4 skills, contact a trainer through SANOTA www.sanota.org.
To help plan your tour and/or accompany you on your tour, contact a 4x4 guide through the 4-Wheel Drive Guides Association www.4wdga.com (Now OGATO)
Or send me a private message and I will be happy to help, or to touring@4x4store.co.za