African Self-Drive Adventure
For our next adventure, we are planning a four-country self-drive tour of Southern Africa. If you’re considering making such a trip, here is all the information you need to plan it, or follow along with us. There is also a wealth of information available to help you plan your trip to any foreign country.
Previous Adventures
We drove all around the coast of Australia, covering 27,000 kilometres in seven months, camping all the way. You can read about it here.
We drove from Mexico to Tuktoyuktuk on the Arctic Coast. Read about the last leg of the journey in Arctic Canada, which involved 700 kilometres of isolated gravel roads and lots of bears. Click here.
We travelled all over Mexico. Mexico is a great place. Lots of info here.
There were also trips from Germany to Lapland and throughout the Middle East, from Lebanon to Cairo.
Getting Ready
New Passport
New passport. Check. My passport was almost expired. You don’t need a new one if it has more than six months remaining after your departure date.
Vehicle
Rental vehicle booked. We booked a Toyota four-door with the following included.
- Air conditioning (a must. Make sure you get a veh with air)
- Radio and CD player
- USB connection (charge batteries while you drive)
- Alarm and central locking
- Two spare tires (flats are common. Make sure you know how to change the tires)
- An air compressor.
Mythathedhut Travel Tip. Purchase a tire plug kit before you go. They are not included with the vehicle. If you get a flat, you might be able to plug it. If you have a compressor, you can pump the tire up again, and it should be good enough to get you to the next town.
8. Jumper cables
9. Second vehicle battery.
10, Tow Rope. (Hopefully, you will not need many of these things, but you should have them just in case.
11. Axe
12. First Aid Kit (very important)
Mythathedhut Travel Tip: Ensure your rental vehicle has full insurance, plus separate coverage for windows and tires. Also, make sure taxes are included in the price and that you have unlimited kilometres.
Accommodations
Accommodations booked. We are not going on an organised tour with a guide, but we had a tour company make all our accommodations and vehicle bookings for us. This is significantly better than dealing with each company separately and is also much cheaper. Of course, the tour company will make a profit on this, but they can secure hundreds of bookings and negotiate a much more affordable rate.
You can choose between hotels, lodges, or camping. Rental vehicles with camping equipment, including a roof-top tent for protection from animals during the night, are available.
Organised Tour vs Self-Drive
Should you go on an organised tour or a self-drive? They both have advantages and disadvantages.
On an organised tour, you have nothing to worry about. Just show up, and everything else is taken care of. You will have a choice of several routes, but you cannot just go whenever you want and stay where you want. You will be in a vehicle with several other people as part of a package deal. With a self-drive, you have your own vehicle and can stop wherever you wish. This is great if you want to stop to photograph a bird or another animal. The organised tour vehicle will not stop whenever you ask. With a self-driving tour, you can plan your route and go wherever you want, and stay at each location for as long as you want.
Because you will not have a guide, self-driving is much cheaper. The cost of a guide is the major expense on an organised tour. I arranged a 23-day trip for $5000 (Canadian dollars) for two people. I see organised tours charging more than $10,000 (U.S.) each for a one-week trip. Self-driving is much cheaper.
With a self-driving tour, you have to be adventurous and self-reliant. I think it is much better, but you will be on your own if you have problems or get lost.
Electricity in Foreign Countries
If you travel to another country, you will probably find that the electricity is different from that in your home country. The 110-120 volt system is used from Canada south to Ecuador, as well as the northern half of the Caribbean Islands, Japan, and Taiwan. Most of the world uses the 220-230 volt system.
If you plug a device into a 220-volt outlet that is intended for use with only 110 volts, it will be destroyed, and you could also risk an explosion or fire.
Most laptop computers and some battery chargers are designed to work on either system. Battery chargers from NIkon and GoPro will work on either system. I imagine that Canon does, too, but I am not sure. Perhaps someone can let me know.
Ensure the voltage requirements of your device match before plugging it in.
One option is to purchase a converter that changes the voltage from 220 to 110 or vice versa. There are basically two types. Some can accept any device, like the one on the left, while others can handle only low-wattage devices, like the one on the right. If you get one of the small, inexpensive, plastic types, you cannot use devices with high wattage, such as a hair dryer. Additionally, they come with a warning not to use them for extended periods. How much is a long time? Is that more than one hour? They don’t say. Some things take a long time to charge.
Be careful. Plugging a device into a converter that has a higher voltage than the device can handle may damage both the device and the converter. It could possibly start a fire or blow a fuse. Also, keep in mind that small converters can only be used for short periods of time before they overheat.
Electrical Socket Adapters
If you have a converter or a device that operates on dual voltage, you may still encounter issues. There are many different shapes of sockets. You might discover that your plug does not fit into the socket. In this case, you need an adaptor to change the shape of the plug.
Be aware that these adaptores do not change the voltage. They only change the shape of the plug.
Also, be aware that these adaptors have a voltage rating. Although they do not change the voltage, they have a limit on the amount of voltage that can pass through them. If you are in a country that uses 220 volts, ensure your adaptor can accept this much voltage. Even if the adaptor fits in the socket, that does not guarantee that it can accept 220 volts.
Each shape of adaptor has a letter designation. For example, plugs used in North America are type A, those used in Peru are type C, and those used in southern Africa are type M or D.
Before travelling, do some research on the country you are going to. Determine the voltage and the shape of the socket they use.
Here is a description of various-shaped plugs used around the world.
Here is a list of voltages and adapters by country.
Visas
If you are travelling to another country, you might need a visa. It depends on which country you are going to and which country you are coming from. For example, some people need a visa to enter Canada, while others do not. It depends on the country where you reside and have a passport, not the country you are currently in.
Canadians need a visa for Namibia and Zimbabwe, but not Botswana or Zambia. The visa can be purchased upon arrival or in advance online. We bought our visas in advance to avoid an hours-long queue at the airport with a planeload of passengers trying to get a visa. Then we can skip that line and go straight to immigration.
We received our visa for Namibia in about five hours. A visa for Zimbabwe cannot be purchased more than a month in advance. Check the requirements for the countries you intend to visit.
Malaria
Check to see if the area you will visit is an area where Malaria is present. If malaria is present in your destination area, you need to take precautions.
Take malaria prevention pills. You should take one pill daily starting one week before entering a malaria zone.
The pills that we use are atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride tablets. Do not take Mefloquine pills. They cause horrible nightmares and hallucinations.
Please note that we are not medical professionals and this information is not intended as official medical advice; instead, it is based on our personal opinions and experiences. The decision is up to you, and Mythatchedhut takes no responsibility for your actions..
Glemmak Pharmaceuticals makes or distributes atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride tablets in Canada, but they are probably available in most countries.
There is no malaria in Windhoek, Swakopmund, or the southern part of Namibia. However, it is present in Etosha and further north, in Caprivi and northern Botswana, as well as around Victoria Falls.
Shorts and T-shirts are acceptable during the day, but it is recommended to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts at dusk, dawn, and after dark.
Another prevention is to have a mosquito net over your bed. Some hotels and lodges offer these, while others do not. We intend to bring one. A large net can be packed into a very small bag and does not take up much space in your suitcase.
Health Insurance
Whenever you travel internationally, it is essential to purchase health insurance. If you are involved in an automobile accident, get otherwise injured, or have some kind of health problem that causes you to be hospitalised, the medical bill could be astronomical. Medical bills are especially expensive in the USA and Europe, but can also be very expensive in all but the poorest countries. A serious medical problem in the United States could cost more than $1 million.
In Canada, Medipac is a popular health insurance company. World Nomads is an American company that sells health insurance to anyone worldwide, but only to people under the age of 66. I suggest buying your insurance from a company in your home country. If you encounter problems, it will likely be easier to deal with a company in your home country, where you are familiar with local laws and language.
Tire Plug Kit
I purchased a tire plug kit. If you get a flat due to running over a nail, a screw, or another sharp object, you can repair it. Remove the offending object and use this kit to seal the hole. Of course, you will then need a compressor to reinflate the tire. You could also purchase a small compressor that plugs into the 12-volt socket in the dash, if the vehicle has one.
This will not work if you are unable to find the cause of the puncture. In that case, you must change the tire and find a repair shop to fix the flat.
12-volt electric sockets (formerly known as cigarette lighters) can be used for various purposes, including operating dash cams or charging phones. However, some of the most recent automobiles no longer include them. Check to see if you will have one when renting a vehicle.
Flights
Flights booked. Check. We are going to Africa.
The further ahead you book your flights, the cheaper they will be. As you approach your departure date, the price will increase. The price also increases when the aircraft is almost full. It is also more expensive on weekends and holidays, so consider booking for midweek.
Additionally, prices tend to increase during the summer or high tourist season. The tourist season varies from country to country, so be sure to research when it is for your destination. No one wants to vacation when it is cold or always raining. A cheaper alternative is to visit during the shoulder seasons, which fall between the high and low tourist seasons.
Flight and Baggage Insurance
In addition to health insurance, we purchased non-medical travel insurance. This insurance will refund your money if the flight is cancelled or if your luggage is lost.
Tip: Some airlines offer flight cancellation insurance, but it’s often more cost-effective to purchase it separately and include coverage for lost or stolen luggage.
Maps
I ordered paper maps of Namibia and Botswana. You may think that this is old-fashioned and unnecessary, and you might be right.
Obviously, you can purchase maps upon arrival and save on shipping costs, but I prefer to study my route beforehand and mark it on the map as a souvenir. Also, I don’t have to spend time hunting for them after I arrive.
Shoe Bag
When I was in Lebanon, we had to violently shake our books every morning to ensure that no scorpions, spiders or other critters had moved in during the night.
For this trip, I purchased a couple of shoe bags. They are made of sturdy plastic and close with a zipper. The cost is about three for $12 on Amazon. When empty, they lie flat and take up no space in your luggage.
Also, ensure that your suitcase is zipped shut when it is not in use. You would not want to find a snake, scorpion, or spider in your clothing.
Vaccines
Depending on the country you visit, you may need to get vaccinated against certain diseases.
Twinrix for Hepatitis A and B is a must. This prevents liver disease from contaminated water. Drink bottled water. However, Hepatitis can also be contracted from drinks served at a restaurant or bar, or from fruit and salads washed in contaminated water.
Another important vaccine is the dTap, which prevents Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Pneumococcal infections.
A Yellow Fever vaccine may be required, depending on whether you are travelling to a country where Yellow Fever is present. You may also need it if you are going to a country that does not have Yellow Fever, but you have been recently in a country that does have it.
Another vaccine that is recommended is for Typhoid, a life-threatening disease spread through contaminated food or water. It is also available in pill form, as an alternative to the vaccine.
Rabies is a vaccine that prevents the disease from spreading after animal bites, particularly if the animal is known to be infected with rabies. This is needed only if you will be having close contact with animals.
Most of these vaccines and pills require a doctor’s prescription. Additionally, consult the country’s requirements online before visiting. In some countries, certain vaccines are mandatory for entry.
Disclaimer – Please note that we at Mythatchedhut are not medical experts, and you should not take any of these vaccines or medicines without consulting your doctor first. This is general information, and Mythatchedhut is in no way responsible for your decision to receive or not to take any particular medicine or vaccine.
International Driver’s Licence
Do you need an International Driving Permit? That depends. If your regular driver’s licence is in the same language as the language used in your destination country, then you usually will not need an international permit. For example, if you live in Canada or the USA and your driver’s licence is in English, then you do not need an international permit for Australia, New Zealand, Namibia or other countries where English is an official language. If your licence is in French, German, Spanish, or another language, you will need an international permit for these countries.
Similarly, if your licence is in French and you are going to a country where the official language is French, then you probably would not need an international licence.
Please note that this information applies to most countries, but there are exceptions. For example, a Canadian or American driver’s licence is good in Mexico, even though the language there is not English.
Even if your licence is in the same language as your destination country, you should still check to see if you need an international licence or not.
Register with your government.
Most governments have a website where you can report your travel itinerary. This is a good idea that most people overlook. If your government knows where you are, it can send you information if anything bad occurs in the country while you are there. It also requests an emergency contact, if necessary. If you are injured or something worse happens, the government will contact your emergency contact to inform them.
It is also a good idea to look up and record the phone number and email address of the embassy for your country at your destination. Then, if you need their help, you won’t have to spend a lot of time trying to find their contact information.
Take Cash
It is a good idea to get some cash for the country you are visiting. You can order cash from most countries at your local bank. It might take them a week or more to get it.
There are several reasons for doing this:
- Your bank will give you a much better exchange rate than money exchangers at airports.
- It will save you time when you arrive at your destination. You will not have to go searching for the money exchange office, and you won’t have to wait in line if there is a plane load of passengers trying to exchange money. You can take a taxi and go.
- If you need to make a purchase at your destination airport, you will have the necessary funds available.
Using your telephone in another country.
You may use your local telephone anywhere in the world. It will work. However, you will have to pay a fortune in roaming charges. This can vary from $8 to $16 per day, just to turn your phone on and check for messages. Then add any long-distance calls. For a couple of days, this is not too bad, but for a more extended trip, it could add up to hundreds of dollars. If you’re only going for a short visit, call your phone provider and ask for a lower rate. Many companies can offer you a deal. It will still be very expensive, but less than if you had not asked for a deal.
So what to do? There are two solutions. One is to buy a new SIM card for the country you are in. A SIM card is what holds your phone number and tracks your calls, as well as the cost of each call. When you buy a SIM card, you need to decide whether you want phone calls and data, just phone calls, with or without SMS text messages. You also need to determine how much time you need it for. For example, a SIM card with 30GB of data, good for 30 days, will cost about $15. For $15, you will get about two days of use with your home phone provider.
IMPORTANT! Do not misplace your home SIM card. You will need it when you return home, If someone finds it, they could put it into their phone and make a lot of expensive calls at your expense.
Another solution is to purchase an eSIM online. This works the same as a regular SIM card, but it does not exist physically, only electronically. After purchasing the eSIM, you can download it and use it just like a physical SIM card. A significant advantage to this is that you do not have to remove your home SIM card, and you can switch between SIMS whenever you want. I have tried this in Chile and it worked well. The primary drawback of eSIMs is that they are not supported in all countries. The seller might claim that it will work, but do some research on Google to see if eSIMs are compatible with the country you are visiting. For example, in Google, ask, Do eSIMS work in Namibia?
Looking forward to the videos.
Hi Carolyn. I am way behind in the photo and video editing. I am up early every day and out exploring the country. Today was up a 4 am to go look for Meercats. Some days I am exhausted, other days I am at a place that does not have wifi. But I will catch up. Please give me some time.
I’m so excited for you guys.
Looking forward to your GoPro videos. I bet you are going to get amazing footage.
Thanks Airan. I will be making weekly updates to this page until we go and then daily once we get there.