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A Southern African road trip – unbeatable adventure.
Trans-border Journeys
Trans-border journeys - the otherworldly Namibian veld.
© Chris Marais
Did you know?
South African currency is accepted and exchanged in most southern African countries on your route.
Trans-border journeys through southern Africa - with South Africa as the springboard - constitute some of the finest road-tripping you'll ever do.
It's oysters up the West Coast, full-on hiking through the Fish River Canyon, marveling at the Wild Horses of the Namib Desert, floating above the golden dunes of Sossusvlei in a hot-air balloon, casting a fishing line out into the misty Atlantic from somewhere on the Skeleton Coast, checking out the chalk-silver elephants of Etosha, birdlife along the Caprivi, tiger fishing on the Chobe, watching the first slow floods of Botswana's Okavango Delta and chewing the fat with the bush pilots of Maun.
Southern African road travel involves friendly chats at borders, long discussions with roadside crafters, jazzy night spots in all the major centres, sunsets on legendary rivers like the Zambezi and the Limpopo, catered cruises on massive lakes, learning about the customs of deep-rural tribes and meeting other travelers from all over the world.
Trans-border travel is also finding the magic in a game drive, sharing the dawn with a she-elephant and her calf, making eye contact for the first time with a full-grown male lion who might be sizing you up for lunch - or simply being curious. It's sitting on the porch of one of Africa's grande dame hotels, drinking the national beer of wherever you are, sharing a joke with a local, looking out to sea and catching an Arab dhow as it disappears somewhere over the horizon.
Trans-border journeys in southern Africa are all about extending yourself, be it climbing a mountain or promising to write - and actually doing it. Your life will never be the same again...
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Mozambique Embassy
Tel: +27 (0) 12 343 7840
Fax: +27 (0) 12 343 6714
P O Box 40750
Pretoria
0001
South Africa
Swazi High Commission
Tel: +27 (0) 12 344 1910
Tel: +27 (0) 12 343 0455
P.O. Box 14294
Hatfield
Pretoria
0028
South Africa
Lesotho High Commission
Tel: +27 (0) 12 460 7640
Fax: +27 (0) 12 460 7649
P O Box 55817
Menlo Park
Pretoria
0081
South Africa
Zambian High Commission
Tel: +27 (0) 12 326 1847
Fax: +27 (0) 12 326 2140
P O Box 12234
Hatfield
Pretoria
0028
South Africa
Botswana Embassy
Tel: +27 (0) 12 430 9640
Fax: +27 (0) 12 342 1845
P O Box 57035
Arcadia
Pretoria
0007
South Africa
Zimbabwean Embassy
Tel: +27 (0) 342 5125
Fax: +27 (0) 12 342 5126
P O Box 55140
Arcadia
Pretoria
0007
South Africa
Namibian Embassy
Tel: +27 (0) 12 481 9100
Fax: +27 (0) 12 343 7294
P O Box 29806
Sunnyside
Arcadia
Pretoria
0007
South Africa
How to get here
You could either fly in to these countries, or cross by vehicle from South Africa. Trains and buses are alternative options, but are far slower.
Get around
Having your own (hired) car will offer you more freedom. Just remember to bring all vehicle-related registration papers.
Length of stay
South Africa's neighbours are fascinating places, and you should try to spend at least three to four nights in a country - more if you can.
What to pack
Firstly, your passport (having checked whether you need a visa to cross the border). Secondly, any and all car registration papers and emergency equipment like reflective triangles (Mozambican traffic officials are particular on this point). Third but not least, your camera and binoculars if you'll be watching birds or game.
What to eat
Namibia is renowned for its German food (schnitzels, eisbein and Black Forest cake abound). Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana have great beef. Mozambique is famed for its peri-peri prawns.