| For a big-5 Southern African safari you have two | | | | A normal mobile phone is fine for the Kruger, |
| choices - self drive or a guided safari. | | | | Kgalagadi, Etosha and Pilanesberg |
| We have been on over 100 African safaris, both | | | | Wheel wrench to get your tire off if you |
| guided and self drive, and we definitely prefer self | | | | have a puncture |
| drive. | | | | GPS - Ensure you get one that contains |
| Self drive safaris are much cheaper than guided | | | | maps for the national parks you will be visiting |
| safaris and you will have more flexibility and | | | | Fire extinguisher |
| privacy than you would have on a guided safari. | | | | A basic first aid kit |
| You may end up spending your time with a bunch | | | | Fridge/freezer - we take at least 5 liters of |
| of people you just do not like, in which case this is | | | | drinking water with us per day in winter and 10 |
| going to be a long unpleasant holiday! | | | | liters in summer. |
| So, if you are the adventurous type and want to | | | | Tire pressure gauge - you will need this for |
| explore Southern Africa, self drive is for you. If | | | | the Kgalagadi where you should to reduce your |
| you are a local then you should have your own | | | | tire pressure in order to have a more |
| vehicle and if you are an international visitor you | | | | comfortable ride. There is a pressure gauge at |
| will need to hire a vehicle. Either way, these 3 top | | | | the gas station but it is not working most times! |
| tips will help you with your planning and should | | | | Vehicle handbook - you may need to check |
| make your trip safer and more enjoyable: | | | | some small item and without the vehicle manual |
| 1. Which vehicle? | | | | you won't know what to do |
| If you are visiting the famous self drive national | | | | Warning triangle |
| parks of Kruger, Kgalagadi and Pilanesberg in | | | | Radiator Grille Grass-Net |
| South Africa or Etosha in Namibia, you do not | | | | Spare tire (at least one) |
| need a 4x4 vehicle. In summer the grass in these | | | | 2 in 1 Jump Start / Air Compressor. With |
| parks can get long so a higher vehicle is an | | | | jump-start cables you need another car in order |
| advantage for good game spotting. We would | | | | to charge your battery but with the Jump-Start |
| therefore suggest you use a VW Microbus, | | | | you can start your car by yourself. This has |
| Mercedes Vito or similar height vehicle. We drive a | | | | helped us a few times! |
| Toyota land cruiser Prado but a 4x4 would be | | | | 3. Roof box or trailer? |
| more expensive to hire and it's not a necessity, | | | | If there are just two of you in the vehicle you |
| unless you are visiting Gharagab or Bitterpan | | | | should have enough space for luggage, food and |
| camps in the Kgalagadi or intend doing one of the | | | | photographic equipment but if there are four or |
| 4x4 trails in the Kruger or Kalahari. | | | | more people, you need to start thinking about a |
| 2. What Equipment to pack? | | | | roof box or trailer. The trailer can hold more than |
| If you intend going on the 4x4 trails or visiting | | | | the roof box but it costs more and is less |
| wilderness camps like Gharagab then we would | | | | fuel-efficient than the roof box. We are on our |
| suggest you take the following items: | | | | third roof box and just love them! |
| 4x4 recovery kit, which normally contains a | | | | If you don't want to buy a roof box you can hire |
| tow strap, snatch strap, gloves, shackles, and | | | | one but please be aware that you have the extra |
| spray lubricant | | | | height and that you need to check the height |
| An axe and folding spade | | | | before driving under car ports and trees. Our |
| A blanket | | | | second roof box got squashed when we drove |
| Torch | | | | under a car port without checking the fit. |
| Jack | | | | |