INTO AFRICA
Botswana’ s northern parks. It holds one of Africa’ s largest elephant populations and a network of pumped waterholes that draw wildlife from far distances during the dry months.
The park’ s self-drive routes are excellent. Tracks weave between pans, woodlands and open clearings where sable, kudu and zebra graze in the slanting light. Painted dogs, one of Africa’ s rarest carnivores, are regularly seen moving along the roads in relaxed formation. Because of the space, the silence and the scale, sightings here feel earned, somehow.
Hwange’ s stillness has its own character. Where the Delta hums with bird noise, Hwange is drier, harderedged and marked by long horizons. It is a place of huge skies and slow-burning drama.
Zimbabwe highlights
Standing at the edge of the Victoria Falls as mist settles on your face and rainbows flare into view. Watching painted dogs emerge from Hwange’ s bushveld with alert, unbroken focus. Sitting beside a waterhole at sunset as elephants arrive in ordered lines to drink. Driving through teak forests where the road glows golden and the only sound is tyres on sand.
What You Need To Know
• A proper 4 × 4 is essential. Routes in Moremi, Khwai, Savuti, Chobe and Hwange often have deep sand, corrugation or standing water. Avoid driving after dark. Wildlife, livestock and unlit roads make night travel unsafe in both countries.
• Refuel whenever possible. Distances between stations are long and Zimbabwe can experience intermittent shortages. Carry extra water, a spare tyre, basic tools and an offline GPS or printed map. Tracks can shift after floods, and signage is limited.
• Most South African travellers enter Botswana at Martin’ s Drift, Skilpadshek or Pandamatenga. Crossing into Zimbabwe at Kazungula is efficient, but expect delays during holiday periods. Make sure you have your passport, vehicle registration docs, a letter of authority if financed, and insurance. You will pay road permits and cross-border fees on arrival.
• Big PLUS: Your South African licence is valid in both countries.
• Botswana’ s highways are excellent. National park tracks require slow, careful driving. Zimbabwe’ s main roads are improving, but potholes appear without warning. Police checks are common in Zimbabwe. Officers are generally professional. Stick to speed limits, carry a fire extinguisher and reflective triangle, and remain calm and polite.
• Signal drops to zero inside most parks. Download offline maps, share your route with someone at home and carry enough drinking water for long days on remote roads.
The payoff
This journey suits travellers who choose to go deep. The roads are rough in places, the heat, intense, and the distances long, but the reward is a fuller sense of Africa, earned one kilometre at a time. You witness landscapes that feel ancient and wildlife scenes that play out without spectacle or rush.
Driving through Botswana and Zimbabwe reconnects you to the wildness from the driver’ s seat, not the lodge veranda. If you travel with patience and respect for the land, these two countries offer more than a safari. They offer a story you carry long after your return home.
96 | AUTUMN 2026 • rovesa. co. za