Taking an East African self-drive safari can be an incredible experience, full of wildlife and stunning landscapes. But preparing for your first self-drive safari can also be intimidating. From understanding the rules of the road and preparing for potential dangers to packing properly and finding the best routes, there is much to consider. So before you embark on your self-drive safari adventure, there are a few key things to consider. This includes having the right equipment and supplies, understanding the road rules and navigating the terrain, and planning your route carefully.
Knowing your route, the best places to stop, how to stay safe, and how to get the most out of your experience can help make your self-drive safari successful and memorable. With the right preparation and guidance, your self-drive safari can be one of the most rewarding trips ever. So read on for our top 5 tips about what you need to know before your first self-drive safari.
Tip 1: Know your routes and plan for contingencies
One important thing to consider before embarking on your first self-drive safari is the distances and terrain you will travel through. Not just in the National Parks, but also on your way to it. And our best tips; don’t trust Google’s time estimates, always add more time to these estimates and don’t assume that just because the road is classified as a tarred road the quality is good. For example, if you are going to National Parks, there are no tarred roads inside so you will want to ensure that your vehicle is equipped to handle it. To learn more about picking the right car for your self – drive.
If you don’t have a GPS in your vehicle, carrying a map with you is a good idea. While GPS systems are convenient, they can sometimes fail or lose signal in remote areas. A physical map can serve as a backup and help you to stay on track.
In addition to carrying a physical map, there are also some alternative apps that you can use to help navigate during your self-drive safari. One we found really helpful is maps.me, which allows you to download maps to your phone or device for offline use. This was especially useful in areas with spotty or non-existent cell coverage.
Tip 2: Be more prepared than you think you should be
It is always better to be more prepared than you think you should be when going on your first self-drive safari.
Therefore, before going make sure you are either prepared for or know what to do as soon as you are in the country:
Money: Before you travel always check if your debit cards are activated for the country that you’re going to. If we get the chance, we get some money already at the airport just so we have it. Clients have had troubles in the past with debit cards not working while they worked the previous time or when the ATM said our type of debit card was not accepted, so they also bring credit cards as these are accepted more than debit cards. Visa and MasterCard are among the most widely recognised. However, the more remote you are, the more cash you will need to pay for gas and other essentials.
Food: The shops are less stocked. Most of them have water, soda, beer, wine, snacks, canned fruit and vegetables and some souvenirs. So be sure to stock up before you enter the park if you’re planning to cook your own meals (which is the only way in some of the camps).
And in some of the camps in National Park, you need to be completely self-sufficient which includes bringing enough food and water. So it is a good idea to stock up in a large city and bring a mix of non-perishable and perishable items and a cooler to keep them fresh. Some good options for non-perishable food include granola bars, nuts, and dried fruit. Perishable items like meat, fruit and dairy can also be packed in the cooler or fridge in your car.
Fuel: Absolutely an essential consideration for a self-drive safari. It is a good idea to keep an eye on your fuel gauge and fill it up whenever you have the opportunity. This is especially important if you drive through remote areas where gas stations may be few and far between. Carrying a small gasoline can with you in emergencies is also a good idea or you can rent a car with a double fuel tank (which is our preference)
In addition to these basic considerations, there are a few other areas where it is important to be well-prepared for your self-drive safari. One of these is communication. Depending on how remote you’ll be, it is a good idea to buy a local sim card.
Tip 3: Don’t forget to bring your patience
One thing that is essential to bring with you on your self-drive safari is patience. Being ready to face and embrace the challenges that may arise during your journey is important. While the thrill of spotting wildlife in their natural habitats is the main goal of your self-drive safari, this type of travel can also be unpredictable and sometimes difficult.
One of the challenges that you may face (or maybe we should say when you face them) on a self-drive safari is the possibility of breakdowns, flat tires, getting stuck in water/mud/loose sand or other issues with the vehicle. It is important to be patient and not panic if something goes wrong. Instead, take a deep breath and contact the helplines on your car agreement because Self-drive East Africa has mechanics almost everywhere. If you are on your way to the national park or at the campsite and you can fix the issue yourself, great! If not, it is important to be patient, stay in your car and wait for help to arrive.
Another challenge you may face on a self-drive safari is unexpected weather conditions. This could be anything from a sudden rainstorm to a heat wave or even a bushfire. It is important to be prepared for these types of situations and to have the necessary supplies and clothing with you.
In addition to being prepared for challenges, it is also important to be patient regarding wildlife viewing. Self-drive safaris often involve a lot of waiting to see wildlife. While wildlife may be abundant, like in some national parks, there is only so much terrain you can cover when following the roads (which you should) and there are so many trees they can hide behind, so you might not see anything for hours. Or have to wait for 2 hours, as we did, when spotting cheetahs before they did anything else than peak over the long grass.
Finally, it is important to be patient when enjoying the sights and sounds of your self-drive safari. This is a unique and special opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and take in all it offers. It is important to drive slowly and savor each moment rather than rushing through the national park.
Tip 4: Safety is important, for you and the animals
Safety is a top priority when it comes to self-drive safaris. Not only is it important to ensure your safety, but it is also important to consider the safety of the animals that you will encounter during your journey. There are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure that your self-drive safari is as safe as possible for everyone involved.
First and foremost, it is important to follow all safety guidelines and regulations that are in place inside national parks. This includes:
- You need to stay in your car. Unless you’re in an area that has signs that say you are allowed to leave the car like the picnic spots and toilets.
- You need to keep to the speed limit. Different limits apply in different national parks and there is a difference between tar and gravel roads as well as inside camps
- You cannot drive through the park before sunset or after sunrise
- You’re not allowed to go off-road for better game viewing
- You’re not allowed to feed the animals. This sounds logical but on our last trip to Kruger National Park, we noticed that hyenas are being fed and are now walking the perimeter of the camp searching for scraps. This can make them more aggressive towards people.
- You cannot use your drone as it will disturb the animals
- It is also important to be aware of local laws or customs that may apply to the country you choose to go on safari.
- It is also important to be prepared for emergencies. This means carrying a first aid kit and other supplies with you and knowing how to use them. It is also a good idea to have a plan in place for what to do in an emergency. This could include knowing the location of the doctor in the national park as well as the nearest hospital and having a satellite phone or local sim card with you for communication.
When it comes to the safety of the animals, there are a few key things to keep in mind. One of the most important is to give them plenty of space, especially when they want to cross the road. It is never a good idea to approach wild animals or to get too close to them. Instead, observe them safely, turn off your radio if you’re opening the window, don’t climb through your window and use a telephoto lens if you want to take photographs.
Tip 5: How to make the most of your self-drive safari
There are a few key things that you can do to make the most of your self-drive safari. One of the most important is to get an early start.
When you’re travelling in between the camps try to leave as soon as the gates open as you will have the chance to see lions, cheetahs and leopards still walking around or at the waterholes instead of laying underneath (or in) the trees which they will do when it becomes warmer. Then a bit later in the morning, we go to a picnic spot for breakfast.
During the day, you can plan your viewing along the routes with waterholes, lookouts and hides. Another tip for making the most of your self-drive safari is to pre-pack food. This will save you time and make it easier to eat on the go. Always have a bag with non-perishable items in the back seat and fill the cooler in the morning with everything that we need until we are able to get out of the car again in one of the camps or on a picnic spot.
One final tip for making the most of your self-drive safari is to be open to new experiences and embrace the unknown. By keeping an open mind and being willing to take risks, you can make the most of your self-drive safari and create lasting memories.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed it and if you have any questions just let us know at 4×4@selfdriveeastafrica.com. And if you are planning your own self-drive safari let us know because self-drive East Africa is the best company in East Africa and offers the best car rentals.
