Okawanga Delt dirve by yourself with 4x4 in June or September ?

It's possible if you're well equipped, well prepared and know what you're doing, but not to be taken lightly.

June/July, although dry season, is when the water levels are at their highest in the delta due to the incoming flood waters from Angola. Would you be comfortable driving through water high enough to wash over the car hood? How about driving in deep sand? I think September would usually be better but this year the flood waters were still rising in July which is unusual- who knows what will happen next year.

Do you have any 4X4 driving experience and basic mechanical skills? If you get stuck or break down there is no mobile telephone reception.

I spent 6 weeks this June/July Botswana in the Savuti and Moremi areas and saw plenty of self drivers but also plenty of idiots who were stuck/lost/broken down or out of fuel.

I did Chobe and Moremi game reserves in June\July and it was fine to get around and I was one of those idiots that stokeygirl saw stuck in the mud , but that was was all part of the adventure, and if you don't get stuck you are not exploring enough ! Just get over there and do it, will be a trip of a lifetime .

@nina25: Hi, found your thread here as well! :o) How are preparations going?

@greenmamba: I would be very careful giving people ideas like that! Of course it´s an adventure, but only if nothing happens. Botswana and Namibia are countries where NOTHING should be taken lightly or left to chance! People MUST be prepared and if going into remote areas should have a satellite phone or a second car with them. Anything else is more foolishness than adventure. Getting stuck doesn´t mean having adventure, it means that one made a mistake! I made a lot of them - be it falling into a hole in Ethiopia, getting stuck in a "dry river" in Kaokoland (with lions around) and permanently getting stuck in sandy areas! If nothing happens, it´s adventure, but if something happens it´s plain stupidity!!!

Yes, stokeyygirl is right: It´s ridiculous for an unexperienced European to come along and play the tough "James-Cook-explorer" without even knowing the basics! Don´t leave anything to luck in Africa. Believe me, we have spent 14 months driving around this continent in our 4x4 and had VERY bad tracks, but left the impossible because of security!!!

Don´t give people the wrong idea if they have never done it! I saw the Moremi from the plane and think it would not have been fun to go there in my 4x4. At least not now and not alone!

Hi people,

I am another European considering self-driving in Botswana. I am considering renting a 4x4 and visiting the Chobe Riverfront with my wife sometime in 2012. Which months are safest for driving in this region?

We do not have 4x4 experience or even the most basic mechanical skills. In 2009 we drove a small car (1.5 litre Chevrolet Aveo I think) around southern Namibia: Upington SA, Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park SA, Gochas, Hardap Dam, Mariental, Maltahohe, Sossusvlei, Duwisib Castle, Luderitz, Fish River Canyon.

Is self-driving in Botswana a bad idea for us? Would it be necessary for us to get some 4x4 experience and self sufficiency beforehand?

Thank you!

Go for it. September is probably the best month to drive it. The biggest issue for most newbies is the water levels in Moremi which are highest in June, although quite doable generally. If there is a problem, be sure to hire a sat phone with your 4x4 rental, so you can call for vehicle recovery service.

It would be a good idea to take a quick 4x4 course in the type of vehicle you plan on renting. I suggest a diesel land rover or land cruiser. Diesel for torque and fuel economy- low end power for deep sand and eliminate the need to carry a lot of extra fuel in a bunch of jerry cans. High clearance so your diff is not pushing sand.

In September, which is a part of high season, there is less of a chance that you will sit more then a few hours before someone comes along to assist anyway. That is, unless you have really ventured off the beaten path or waited till dusk and one of the last to head back to a campsite. Navigation has become less of an issue with Tracks4Africa digital gps maps and accurate paper maps nowadays. Botswana rental companies also can advise you of the most current go/no go routes which would be best for your experience level and gameviewing.

If you follow these suggestions, you can enjoy your self drive safari.

Thanks for the advice Luangwablondes1. I've contacted a local 4x4 training company here so hopefully the courses aren't too expensive. Still over a year away but already getting excited about going back to Africa.