Driving after dark is not recommended anywhere, particularly in rural areas where the roads are unfenced and animals, both wild and domestic, freely roam the roads.
Adventurous self-drive visitors explore Botswana’s game reserves but this usually requires a degree of off-road and 4×4 driving experience. Some parks are remote and have only very sandy or rough roads. In many areas visitors have to carry their own food, fuel, camping equipment and sometimes, water. Vehicle breakdowns may result in being stranded at the side of the road for many hours before another vehicle passes by.
Off-road vehicle rental companies usually provide comprehensive details as to what visitors require in terms of food and water and are also happy to offer advice on routes. Although some visitors are daunted by the challenges involved in off-road driving the rewards of being alone in wild places usually outweigh the concerns.
Self-drive trips are a little more difficult in East Africa as the roads are generally not as good as in South Africa and many game parks are remote. Due to poor roads off-road vehicles are usually recommended in these areas. There are a number of good off-road rental companies in Dar es Salaam and Arusha in Tanzania and Nairobi in Kenya.
Most major car rental companies are represented in the cities of the region and can offer local advice.