Basic Planning
- iOverlander – Find even the smallest campsites along your route; includes reviews, overviews, last update, GPS coordinates, etc.
- Tracks 4 Africa – The best maps for self-drive; Tracks 4 Africa has GPS data than can be loaded onto the vehicle’s navigation system; they also have printed books with campsites, road information, etc. Pay a little extra and get the navigation pre-loaded to your GPS system when you rent your vehicle.
- Bushlore – The best for renting a 4×4 Toyota Hilux or Land Cruiser with roof-top tent.
- Ulltimate Routes – Camping reservations done for you for a nominal fee; covers South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, etc. Responsive and helpful. These folks were our favorite for booking campsites throughout Southern Africa.
- Botswana Footprints – Another resource for booking Botswana parks; popular with many people, though we prefer Ultimate Routes as our one-stop booking company.
- SAN Parks – The official site for South African National Parks; get the Wildcard pass if you’re staying for more than 8 nights in the SA parks; good for one year.
Blogs to Read Before You Go
- Stuck in Low Gear – We really enjoyed reading this blog; great info for 4×4 travels in Africa
- Ostrich Trails – Through guides to camping in game reserves and national parks; lots of good information along with maps
- Travel for Wildlife – The info and pictures make it worth wading through the ads
YouTube Channels for 4×4 Travels in Southern Africa
- Edward Bath – Great videos and information on all sorts of 4×4 adventures
- Get Out, Go! – Christoff has excellent video of 4×4 travels and really helpful campsite reviews
Documentaries to Watch if You Can…
- Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale (currently on Netflix as of 12/2023) – Regé-Jean Page, narrator
- Predators (currently on Netflix as of 12/2023) – Tom Hardy, narrator
- Secrets of the Elephants (National Geographic) – Some full episodes are also available on YouTube
Books About Wildlife, Travel, History and Other Topics
- Africa: A Biography of the Continent – John Reader
- Long Walk to Freedom – Nelson Mandela’s autobiography
- Cry of the Kalahari – Mark & Delia Owens
- The Elephant Whisperer – Lawrence Anthony
- I Write What I Like – Steve Biko
- South Africa, Namibia, Botswana – Markus Hertrich. If you love looking at beautiful pictures of nature, this oversized book is for you.
There are so many great fiction books set in and around Southern Africa. Here are just a few:
- The Promise – Damon Galgut
- Mhudi – Sol Plaatje
- Deon Meyers – thrillers set in South Africa
- The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series set in Botswana – Alexander McCall Smith
- The Covenant – James Michener
- Cry, the Beloved Country – Alan Paton