selfdrivenovice

We are considering doing a self-drive trip next year through Namibia and Botswana, and are currently deciding which operator to use. Our two top choices are Safari Drive and Drive Botswana. I've seen plenty of positive feedback on Safari Drive, but haven't seen many comments on Drive Botswana. Does anyone know much about them? would recommend them?

Thanks for the help.

luangwablondes

Have you checked out Maun Self Drive 4x4?

benbooafrica

We have no knowledge of Drive Botswana or Maun self drive I think they are fairly new boys on the block but we know Safari Drive albeit when it was run by different people and can recommend them.

Safari companies can be incestous with links and feelers into each other so it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between them, for instance another company based in Nambia Ultimate Safaris (http://www.ultimatesafaris.na/) shares some of the same staff with Safari Drive, so you could check them out as well.

You don't say how experienced you are in self driving and camping in Africa but it's important you check out the vehicles and what backup capability is provided, A tip is don't try and do too much in too short a time, remember the distances are great in Africa and you don't want to be driving in dark whereever you go.
Good luck

selfdrivenovice

Thanks benbooafrica. We are from Australia and this will be our first self drive trip in Africa. We have previously overlanded through East Africa, but this time we are planning on going it alone as part of a broader 3-4 month trip to Africa.

In total we have 5-6 weeks allocated for a self-drive after spending 4 weeks volunteering on a game reserve in Sth Africa ... so we def aren't trying to squeeze lots into a short time.

Drive Botswana look really good and seem to have a newish fleet of vehicles, but as you say they seem to be the new boys on the block as we haven't seen any reviews/feedback on their service.

We'll have a look at Ultimate Safaris too, thanks.

luangwablondes - thanks, no we haven't looked at them yet, but i think i read somewhere they don't do bookings for Namibia? Organising the trip from Oz is much easier if someone local can do all our bookings.

luangwablondes

For Namibia bookings, Cardboard Box is a good company to go through. For Botswana, Maun Self Drive 4x4. They both do this on a regular basis, whether you are renting a vehicle from them or not. Safari Drive and Drive Botswana both hide the cost of vehicle rental and campsites/accommodations by giving you a total net package cost(from the quotes I have seen). If cost isn't a big concern, then either company would probably be alright for you.

Yeshin

Drive Botswana is great. They arranged a three week self drive trip for four of us earlier this year. Speak to Andy he really knows what he is talking about, he live in Botswana. He got us some great deals. He will arrange everything from camping to luxury lodges, to car hire to flights. He really listens to what you want and with us he got it spot on. Can't recommend him highly enough.

SafariDrive

Hi there, Just wanted to correct a point made by BenbooAfrica, Safari Drive is still owned and operated by Charles Norwood and Meregan Turner, same team that started it in 1993.

We share our Namibian base with Ultimate Safaris in Windhoek who operate high quality guided and mobile safaris.