My wife and I recently completed a two-week road trip to Etosha National Park in Namibia. Over the course of ten days, we drove from Hoedspruit, South Africa (just outside of Kruger National Park), through central Botswana to Maun. From there, we circled around the southern tip of the Okavango Delta, crossed the Namibian border into the Caprivi Strip, and continued south to Etosha, where we spent four days. Afterward, we headed west until we reached the Atlantic coast, driving along the Skeleton Coast to Swakopmund. We spent three days in Swakopmund before heading east through Windhoek, re-entering Botswana, and then traveling southeast to Gaborone for a night. Finally, we crossed back into South Africa and returned home to Hoedspruit.
Altogether, we drove nearly 7,000 km in 10 days, which may sound daunting, but I love driving and enjoyed every moment of the journey. With plenty of time to reflect while behind the wheel, I realized that many people might hesitate to embark on such a trip—not because of the driving distance, but due to concerns about safety and driving through unfamiliar countries. And I understand those concerns. This wasn’t our "first rodeo." Audra and I have done several similar trips over the years, so we had enough experience to not perceive it as particularly risky.
That said, I thought it would be helpful to write a blog post offering some advice for anyone considering a similar adventure.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: is it safe?
In general, yes—it is safe. Of course, you need to be cautious and make smart decisions, just like when traveling anywhere. There are areas in any country that you should avoid. (I could tell you stories about close calls I've had driving in the U.S.!) But with proper planning, a trip like this can be an incredible and safe experience.
General Safety Tips:
Know your route well – Don’t rely solely on map apps or GPS. They may not always account for areas that are best avoided.
Watch out for potholes – Some roads, especially less-traveled ones, have potholes large enough to cause serious damage to your car and leave you stranded in some less visited places.
Fuel up early – Don’t wait until you're low on fuel to look for a gas station, especially in remote areas. We came across at least 4 service stations on our trip that did not have any diesel to sell us.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash – Keep cash to a minimum and secure it discreetly.
Follow the speed limits – Especially in towns where limits can be significantly lower. Being stopped by police can lead to unforeseen circumstances.
Be aware of animals on the road – Both wild and domestic animals (like goats and cattle) can appear suddenly on the road and you need to be extremely vigilant in places like central Botswana. Not only can you injure and animal, you can hurt yourself and incapacitate your vehicle.
Have all cross-border paperwork ready – Keep your documents organized and easily accessible. It’s also a good idea to have digital copies on your phone.
If you're renting a car – Ensure the rental company provides you with all the necessary cross-border paperwork for the vehicle.
By planning ahead and following these tips, you can enjoy an incredible road trip through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in southern Africa.
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