We were coming to Botswana to visit a friend in Gaborone. While looking for information, we came across the Tawana Self Drive website and discovered the self-drive safari.

After browsing through their website, which is a mine of information, we got in touch with Julie and Vincent. We came up with the idea of doing an easy route, based on the route des oiseux, for 2 weeks in a 4×4 equipped for camping. Julie and Vincent adapted the itinerary to our wishes, combining visits to national parks and encounters with the local population, all in camping and lodge mode, which they were responsible for booking.

It was our first trip to Southern Africa together, our first road trip together, Keider’s first time in Africa and my first experience of driving a 4×4 in the sand (no silting up to be deplored :-).

And it must be said that the experience was much easier than we had imagined from our little Parisian apartment.

The first self-drive safari took place in the sand of the Boteti River. The feeling of being in the first scene of The Lion King with thousands of animals and our first lioness was an unforgettable experience. We then spent the first night camping, in a 10-meter-wide area with BBQ and fire pit, no neighbors within 50 meters and very, very clean toilets and showers (like everywhere else in Botswana and Namibia, incidentally). A feeling of isolation in the middle of nature and all that impressive noise.

During our 2-week camping and lodge stay, we were always impressed by the choice of accommodation, its beauty, originality, cleanliness and the friendliness of the staff. We were delighted to alternate accommodations and loved the 2 nights in Namibia watching hippos and not doing much more than them.

Surely a self-drive safari is within everyone’s grasp with Julie and Vincent’s help. What’s more, you’ll feel reassured because they’re always on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Published on: 15 September 2019