Martin's Drift... yes, it took hours to cross, but good memories walking around as a traffic controller to move all the trucks and unblock the bridge 😅
Really great tips and advice Villiers! Your Botswana series videos are truly some of the best I have seen. The amount of information that you provide is amazing, and priceless! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, it helps tremendously and makes planning so much easier. Looking forward to your Kgalagadi trip videos
I recently came back from my first ever trip to South Africa and just yesterday with my partner we were talking about returning to this part of the world. Now I'm watching you talking about Botswana. I'm not superstitious but this can't be a coincidence 😀
Great video and tips Villiers! I’ve wanted to do a self drive in Botswana for years but SA and Kruger in particular is so easy and yet so productive not to mention affordable that it always wins out. Especially since my only 4x4 experience is from 30 years ago in the Army 😂😂. I’d love for you to do a video on group self-drive tours for Botswana where there is a guide vehicle in case things go bad. They have those in Kruger where you drive yourself but you aren’t on your own.
Great tips, super helpful in planning own self-drive! Thanks 🙏🏻 You mentioned that driving in the rainy season can be hard in some areas. And I wonder whether in March (at the beginning) the route Chobe to Maun via Savuti is passable but difficult or completely impassable?
Great video! I want to plan a self-drive trip (4x4 tent vehicle) for 10 days with my son in December, as that’s the only time we can go for now. Could you please advise where you would recommend we go? Thank you so much!
Enjoyed the vid of, your 'personal' favourite🙂 , I totally get that and Ed Bath is the same....but, is it the 'best' for self driving for most people? Best and favourite being too different things🙂 I would argue that South Africa by some margin, is the best all round destination in the whole of Africa for self driving....😎 I would love to see you traversing S.A Game Reserves from where you are in Hoedie to South East, to South West to North West and back. Not sure I'm following anyone that is doing that? Pilanesburg, Imfolozi, Shamwari, Addo, Karoo etc etc....I'm jealous of what you guys have in S.A and you're heading off to countries outside your incredible backyard.
For me, South Africa has become too dangerous to self-drive extensively safely, at least if you don’t want to constantly wonder whether or not you, your car and your gear is safe. Namibia is another fantastic self-drive country, perhaps even ‘better’ than Botswana 😏
Hi Villier, thank you for great information and videos. To go Botswana, you have to drive through SA. My question is, what part of South Africa travel you are concerned. Highways and / or inside the National Park, I am specifically thinking of self driving Kruger.
@@dilipkakkad2260, certainly not inside the National Parks - those are probably the safest places in the whole country. It’s certain cities and towns that have become dangerous, but it varies from province to province. If you stick to the highways and only stop at filling stations, you should be absolutely fine.
Very interesting video with good advises, thank you for sharing. I used to plan self drives on my own, especially in Namibia. What I didn't understand correctly is why planning a self drive rather by a travel agency than by myself? What would make it complicated in Botswana? Thanks in advance, Henning
My pleasure, Henning. The trouble lies in the fact that many campsites in Botswana are privatised for run by community members, even when they are situated in National Parks. As a result, you have to contact multiple different people to book your stay and for many, it’s not often clear who those people are. Add the fact that they are often hard to get a hold of and poor to respond, and bookings can quickly become a nightmare 😝
Oh thank you for your explanation, hopefully I will find enough information on the websites of the parks and campsites, because I live planning my trips on my own. It's part of the trip and brings me to my destinations very early in my mind 😃
Both. Parts of Kruger, like around Satara, resembles the Serengeti and so does parts of Botswana, like the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park…BUT, there’s not nearly as many animals!
@@TheSafariExpert hey alright that's great to know. Appreciate the insights! Me and the fiance are looking to honeymoon in SA, though unfortunately an east African safari is sorta out of budget at the moment. We really do love that 'nat geo' open plains savanna look though, so we're looking around to find an alternative nearby 😆 your videos have been godsend
@@bryanchews, I’m glad that they help a bit. Botswana and South Africa offers some of the best game viewing Africa has to offer! I hope you manage to put an unforgettable trip together 🙌🏻
Villiers, about 18 days in Botswana. What parks/reserves would you recommend if entering through Vic Falls? Or, departing from Johannesburg? Assuming vehicles would be returned to the same location. By the way, in two weeks I depart to Ranthambore.
First of all, enjoy Ranthambhore - it’s a great time of the year to go! 🙌🏻🐅 Regarding 18 days in Botswana: it’s impossible for me to decide for you. It depends on what you want to see and experience. The country offers so many amazing options for overlanding and safaris. But like I said in the video, rather go to fewer places for longer than trying to see everything one night, one night, one night… From Vic Falls, a good option would be Kasane, Savute, Khwai and back via Nxai Pans and Elephant Sands.
@@TheSafariExpert awesome. Thank you for this. I’ll be overlanding Namibia in May, which will be my first overland style safari. I then plan on working on putting my Botswana itinerary together.
Never mind the animals, the drivers are maniacs! We once had to drive after dark because of a burst tire and it was one of the scariest experiences of my life!
Thank you for the great video. We have flights booked in and out of Windhoek for one month mid July to August 2024. We are looking to hire a Hilux with roof tents and self drive Namibia but wondered if we had enough time to visit part of Botswana as well? I am conscious of your advice about travelling too greater distances? You recommend using an agent or guide which we would love to do but as a family of five the cost seems huge versus self-drive. If we manage to contact and book campsites directly in advance, are the bookings honoured? What advice would you have for game driving safely?
I’m glad you like the video. If you only have a month to explore Namibia, which is MASSIVE and wonderful, I would not do Botswana as well. Trying to do both will mean that you don’t do justice to either country. I strongly recommend that you rather come back in the future to do Botswana only. Regarding booking campsites: you can book them yourself if you want to, but as I explained, that can be a real challenge. So I highly recommend using a booking agent like Drive Botswana or Botswana Footprints to help you. You can still choose your itinerary, but they are the ones contacting all the camps. It’s not an expensive service and it makes life so much easier. I don’t understand your question about “are the bookings honoured”, sorry. In terms of doing game drives safely: give all aninals plenty of respect and space, especially elephants and black rhinos! Never try to get too close and if they come towards you, back up in good time. Don’t climb out of your car near wild animals. Also always keep extra food, water and blankets with you in case you break down. Don’t travel without a satellite phone! Ever! Sat4Rent is a great company to rent one from. I hope this helps.
Hi @@TheSafariExpert Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. We're all booked up for a four week self drive trip around Namibia July/August 2024. First family trip to southern Africa so very excited. We will certainly respect the wildlife and will try and do a guided drive as an introduction before we self drive the nature/national parks on our own. We will be sure to carry a satellite phone and extra provisions as suggested. Thank you.
I know they do ship internationally to some countries. Perhaps follow the link and try to order the book, and if you don’t succeed, email HPH Publishing to ask 🙏🏻
Order Botswana Self-Drive online: bit.ly/BotswanaSelfDrive
Wow, it's interesting how South Africans enjoy our lovely Botswana🇧🇼🇧🇼🇧🇼. Thanks for the tips.👊
Stewart, Botswana is an African gem, with the most beautiful parks and friendliest people 🥰
Martin's Drift... yes, it took hours to cross, but good memories walking around as a traffic controller to move all the trucks and unblock the bridge 😅
😅
Man, when that bridge gets clogged 🫣
Stockpoort / Platjan is best. Platjan my favorite one to cross, but quite a drive up.
@@wesselbotha3928, yes! Stockpoort is my go-to border-crossing.
Really great tips and advice Villiers!
Your Botswana series videos are truly some of the best I have seen. The amount of information that you provide is amazing, and priceless!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, it helps tremendously and makes planning so much easier.
Looking forward to your Kgalagadi trip videos
Thanks for the kind words, Rudi. It’s for people like you that I make these videos 🙌🏻
I recently came back from my first ever trip to South Africa and just yesterday with my partner we were talking about returning to this part of the world. Now I'm watching you talking about Botswana. I'm not superstitious but this can't be a coincidence 😀
It’s a sign! 😃
Very well said from a experienced overlander
Excellent tips! All very true
Great video and tips Villiers! I’ve wanted to do a self drive in Botswana for years but SA and Kruger in particular is so easy and yet so productive not to mention affordable that it always wins out. Especially since my only 4x4 experience is from 30 years ago in the Army 😂😂. I’d love for you to do a video on group self-drive tours for Botswana where there is a guide vehicle in case things go bad. They have those in Kruger where you drive yourself but you aren’t on your own.
Joe, there are companies that specialise in leading group tours to Botswana. Check out Bhejane 4x4 Adventures 😎👍🏻
Awesome thanks so much!@@TheSafariExpert
Thank you for this tips. They hellp us organize our first self- driving trip and carry it out last fall - it was a wonderful experience!
Nice one! Thanks for the tips, spot on. We did a lap of Bots in one week😅! But we are back for more in March for three weeks - looking forward to it😉
Thanks for the very informative video.
Much appreciated
The pleasure is all mine! 😎
Very informative thank you.. 🙏🏾
Great video and info Vill!! Will start planning for 2024 and buy the book and follow your links!! 🌞
Thanks, Joris! 🙏🏻 You have my number if you ever have any additional questions 😎
Great tips, super helpful in planning own self-drive! Thanks 🙏🏻 You mentioned that driving in the rainy season can be hard in some areas. And I wonder whether in March (at the beginning) the route Chobe to Maun via Savuti is passable but difficult or completely impassable?
It will depend on how much it has rained, Aleksandra
Great video! I want to plan a self-drive trip (4x4 tent vehicle) for 10 days with my son in December, as that’s the only time we can go for now. Could you please advise where you would recommend we go? Thank you so much!
In my experience, it's best to take pre-cooked meals.
1. You get tired after a long day of travel.
2. Food may not be what you used to.
We often do that as well 👍🏻😎
Enjoyed the vid of, your 'personal' favourite🙂 , I totally get that and Ed Bath is the same....but, is it the 'best' for self driving for most people? Best and favourite being too different things🙂 I would argue that South Africa by some margin, is the best all round destination in the whole of Africa for self driving....😎 I would love to see you traversing S.A Game Reserves from where you are in Hoedie to South East, to South West to North West and back. Not sure I'm following anyone that is doing that? Pilanesburg, Imfolozi, Shamwari, Addo, Karoo etc etc....I'm jealous of what you guys have in S.A and you're heading off to countries outside your incredible backyard.
For me, South Africa has become too dangerous to self-drive extensively safely, at least if you don’t want to constantly wonder whether or not you, your car and your gear is safe.
Namibia is another fantastic self-drive country, perhaps even ‘better’ than Botswana 😏
Wow😮, such a shame it's gotten that bad in S.A 😢
Hi Villier, thank you for great information and videos. To go Botswana, you have to drive through SA. My question is, what part of South Africa travel you are concerned. Highways and / or inside the National Park, I am specifically thinking of self driving Kruger.
@@dilipkakkad2260, certainly not inside the National Parks - those are probably the safest places in the whole country. It’s certain cities and towns that have become dangerous, but it varies from province to province. If you stick to the highways and only stop at filling stations, you should be absolutely fine.
Thank you so much.
Hi Villiers, thank you for info. Is it to busy in July school holidays to go to Kubu and Khwai?
@@martinerasmus5220, yep! Definitely!
Very interesting video with good advises, thank you for sharing. I used to plan self drives on my own, especially in Namibia. What I didn't understand correctly is why planning a self drive rather by a travel agency than by myself? What would make it complicated in Botswana? Thanks in advance, Henning
My pleasure, Henning. The trouble lies in the fact that many campsites in Botswana are privatised for run by community members, even when they are situated in National Parks. As a result, you have to contact multiple different people to book your stay and for many, it’s not often clear who those people are. Add the fact that they are often hard to get a hold of and poor to respond, and bookings can quickly become a nightmare 😝
Oh thank you for your explanation, hopefully I will find enough information on the websites of the parks and campsites, because I live planning my trips on my own. It's part of the trip and brings me to my destinations very early in my mind 😃
@@hencam, it’s definitely possible. Getting Botswana Self-Drive, Routes, Roads and Ratings will help with that for sure 👍🏻😎
Between parks in Botswana and SA (like Kruger), which would you say have more open, vast yellow savannah resembling the Serengeti?
Both. Parts of Kruger, like around Satara, resembles the Serengeti and so does parts of Botswana, like the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park…BUT, there’s not nearly as many animals!
@@TheSafariExpert hey alright that's great to know. Appreciate the insights! Me and the fiance are looking to honeymoon in SA, though unfortunately an east African safari is sorta out of budget at the moment. We really do love that 'nat geo' open plains savanna look though, so we're looking around to find an alternative nearby 😆 your videos have been godsend
@@bryanchews, I’m glad that they help a bit. Botswana and South Africa offers some of the best game viewing Africa has to offer! I hope you manage to put an unforgettable trip together 🙌🏻
Villiers, about 18 days in Botswana. What parks/reserves would you recommend if entering through Vic Falls? Or, departing from Johannesburg? Assuming vehicles would be returned to the same location. By the way, in two weeks I depart to Ranthambore.
First of all, enjoy Ranthambhore - it’s a great time of the year to go! 🙌🏻🐅
Regarding 18 days in Botswana: it’s impossible for me to decide for you. It depends on what you want to see and experience. The country offers so many amazing options for overlanding and safaris. But like I said in the video, rather go to fewer places for longer than trying to see everything one night, one night, one night…
From Vic Falls, a good option would be Kasane, Savute, Khwai and back via Nxai Pans and Elephant Sands.
@@TheSafariExpert awesome. Thank you for this. I’ll be overlanding Namibia in May, which will be my first overland style safari. I then plan on working on putting my Botswana itinerary together.
@@TheSafariExpertjust became a patron. Thank you for all you do. Cheers, from a rainy LA.
@@manoftheserengeti3052, thank you so much 🙏🏻 It really means the world to me!
@@manoftheserengeti3052, I will make contact over the weekend to give you access to my online course 😎👍🏻
Never mind the animals, the drivers are maniacs! We once had to drive after dark because of a burst tire and it was one of the scariest experiences of my life!
Nice vid
Thanks Paul
Thank you for the great video. We have flights booked in and out of Windhoek for one month mid July to August 2024. We are looking to hire a Hilux with roof tents and self drive Namibia but wondered if we had enough time to visit part of Botswana as well? I am conscious of your advice about travelling too greater distances? You recommend using an agent or guide which we would love to do but as a family of five the cost seems huge versus self-drive. If we manage to contact and book campsites directly in advance, are the bookings honoured? What advice would you have for game driving safely?
I’m glad you like the video. If you only have a month to explore Namibia, which is MASSIVE and wonderful, I would not do Botswana as well. Trying to do both will mean that you don’t do justice to either country. I strongly recommend that you rather come back in the future to do Botswana only.
Regarding booking campsites: you can book them yourself if you want to, but as I explained, that can be a real challenge. So I highly recommend using a booking agent like Drive Botswana or Botswana Footprints to help you. You can still choose your itinerary, but they are the ones contacting all the camps. It’s not an expensive service and it makes life so much easier. I don’t understand your question about “are the bookings honoured”, sorry.
In terms of doing game drives safely: give all aninals plenty of respect and space, especially elephants and black rhinos! Never try to get too close and if they come towards you, back up in good time. Don’t climb out of your car near wild animals.
Also always keep extra food, water and blankets with you in case you break down. Don’t travel without a satellite phone! Ever! Sat4Rent is a great company to rent one from.
I hope this helps.
Hi @@TheSafariExpert Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. We're all booked up for a four week self drive trip around Namibia July/August 2024. First family trip to southern Africa so very excited. We will certainly respect the wildlife and will try and do a guided drive as an introduction before we self drive the nature/national parks on our own. We will be sure to carry a satellite phone and extra provisions as suggested. Thank you.
How can i get the book in germany?
I know they do ship internationally to some countries. Perhaps follow the link and try to order the book, and if you don’t succeed, email HPH Publishing to ask 🙏🏻
Amazon has it in stock.