Driving Yourself in Africa

[flatwater bill]

I have written a bit about my experiences renting and riding motorcycles on various continents: North America, South America, Australia and Africa. For the first 3, I recommend being very experienced and very skilled. For Africa, it is best if you have nothing left to live for.................FWB

 

[fourfive8]

I have written a bit about my experiences renting and riding motorcycles on various continents: North America, South America, Australia and Africa. For the first 3, I recommend being very experienced and very skilled. For Africa, it is best if you have nothing left to live for.................FWB

Agreed! As I posted earlier, I have driven in some of the most congested traffic on the planet- namely Asia. Places where traffic law is merely a suggestion. 100X more congested than anything I've experienced anywhere else. I would drive tomorrow in that congestion in Asia. But, I would not drive in Africa unless under ideal circumstances and only with a group and only in parts of rural Namibia or Botswana. And I would not drive anywhere in Africa at night. Anyone contemplating driving in Africa, take all the cautionary posts in this thread anyway you like....

 

[fourfive8]

Also, if you live in a country that drives on the right side of the road, there is no way to fully adjust to wrong side driving in bassackward vehicles. Reactions and instincts take time to switch over. I tried it very briefly in RSA…. once- no mas!

 

[Jason Miller]

I would think a bunch of Big Game Hunters wouldn't fear driving in challenging circumstances

Im just teasing you all, yes you have to have your wits about you and pay close attention to your surroundings and pick the less populated routes and bad things do happen, but to me, thats the fun of Africa! I think of the old quote "Africa does not suffer fools gladly" and maybe I am the fool


I have driven from east coast to west across the continent in cars, trucks, Boda Bodas, and a motorcycle from Capetown currently on my way to Kenya, Ive spent nights in the bush along the highway, slept in an open Land rover at the border of SA and Moz being eating alive from mosquitos. Been stranded in the sand in Namibia having to walk my heavy motorcycle for miles to get out of the sand, been stranded in Ghana with two flat tires, punctured a fuel tank on the motorcycle and take days to find a local to weld it. Dangerous? perhaps to my wife but under most circumstances the locals will help you if you ask.

"In case of doubt, walk confidently "

 

[Doubleplay]

Driving in RSA is better than US imho, specially if you drove on the right side before and used to it.
Getting a driver license in US ia joke and drivers are the worst among developed countries.

 

[Sideshow]

Not seen yet but in Botswana really really watch out for the donkeys! They will amble across the road like they own it. Or even turn around at the last minute. Or just decide to step out for the hell of it. They will make a mess of your car like you have no idea!
Also as already said don’t drive at night especially between Chobe to Nata elephants might be big but they have very small eyes and if there walking away from you…..well let’s just say that rear eye don’t shine so well!

 

[Neophyte]

One more tip. If your coming from a country such as the USA remember that you will need to learn to drive on the other (wrong) side of the road. Instinctively turning into the wrong lane could be very dangerous.

I suggest going to Australia first for driving practice.

 

[Doubleplay]

I recently came back to US from Africa having driven about 6000 miles between Zim and South Africa including border crossings with weapons.
Like I said before as it was easier than driving because of less traffic and better educated drivers. Here anybody can afford to buy a car and pass the DL test over there it’s a different story.