South Africa Self-Drive Accommodated Itineraries

Is It Safe to Self-Drive in South Africa?

Yes, self-driving can be a safe and rewarding way to explore South Africa, particularly when your route is well planned and you know what to expect. As with travelling anywhere, there are sensible precautions to take, and some areas and driving situations require more care than others.

We use our firsthand experience to help you plan appropriate routes, choose appropriate accommodation and understand what to expect along the way. We also provide detailed information to help you prepare for your self-drive adventure, so you can travel with confidence while enjoying the freedom of having your own vehicle.

Why Book Your South Africa Self-Drive Holiday with Travel Africa Your Way?

A self-drive holiday gives you freedom and flexibility, but having the right advice behind you can make all the difference. With more than 30 years of firsthand experience travelling throughout South Africa and across Africa, we can help you plan a self-drive adventure that works for you.

Personal Advice from People Who Know Africa

We’ve travelled extensively throughout South Africa, including by self-drive, so our advice comes from personal experience. We’ll help you choose the right route, destinations and accommodation for your interests, travel style and budget.

Trusted Local Operators and Partners

We work with trusted local operators and partners throughout South Africa, giving you the benefit of local knowledge and experienced people on the ground throughout your journey. Wherever possible, we choose partners who share our commitment to responsible and ethical tourism.

Support While You Travel

You’re not on your own once you leave Australia. We provide 24/7 in-country emergency support, so there’s someone you can contact if you need assistance while travelling. We also provide your detailed itinerary in a TravelKey offline app, giving you useful information at your fingertips while travelling, even when you don’t have mobile data or Wi-Fi.

Your Self-Drive Holiday, Your Way

The itineraries above are starting points rather than fixed packages. We can adjust the length of your trip, accommodation, destinations and activities to suit you, or create a completely different self-drive itinerary from scratch.

Whether you’re planning a short safari escape, a family road trip, a longer journey through South Africa or a combination with neighbouring countries, we’ll help bring all the different parts of your holiday together.

What Our South Africa Self-Drive Travellers Say

“Car hire seamless, efficient hybrid, your directions and additional info kept us safe! All our accommodation was clean, safe, unique and beautiful.”
Tatalia & Mark – Self-Drive South Africa & Botswana Mobile Safari – June 2026

“As it was our first time doing a self-drive trip, I was a little nervous at first, but I quickly realised there was no need to worry. Chris worked closely with us to tailor the holiday to our budget, timeframe and interests... The instructions for each destination were clear and easy to follow, and the tips on things to see and do along the way made the journey even more enjoyable.”
Allisson & Larry – Self-Drive Namibia – July 2026

Ready to Start Planning Your South Africa Self-Drive Holiday?

Tell us where you’d like to go, how you’d like to travel and what you’d like to experience, and we’ll use our firsthand knowledge to create a self-drive holiday around you.

Contact us to start planning your South Africa self-drive adventure →

Looking for a different way to explore South Africa?

• South Africa Packages – tailor-made package ideas combining different destinations and experiences
• South Africa Tours – small group and privately guided options
• South Africa Self-Drive – Camping – for a more independent camping experience
• All South Africa Itineraries – browse the full range of South Africa travel ideas