4x4 SELF-DRIVE IN ZAMBIA
Exploring magnificent Zambia by vehicle affords you interesting insights to village life in the rural areas and the discovery of beautiful scenery away from the major holiday destinations. But don't skip the highlights either!
Zambia has some of the best Game reserves, Lakes and Waterfalls in Africa. So
get in touch and get some ideas for your self-drive adventure in Zambia!
Our reliable 4WD vehicles can be fully equipped with camping gear if needed.
Or let us give you some ideas for some lovely accommodation and mix it all up?
The country of Zambia covers various terrains and has large stretches or rural areas and natural habitats. For this reason road conditions vary dramatically.
As you move away from city centres, driving can be tricky as some roads are in disrepair or poor conditions. Paved roads also make way for dirt roads which require a certain amount of concentration and responsible driving – but slower speeds and alert drivers make for a much smoother journey.
4WD vehicles are generally recommended for dirt roads – but absolutely advised for dirt roads in the rainy season. Potholes often take up the entire road and during the rainy season, large sections of the roads simply wash away. Some more rural roads will even become completely impassable.
As with any roads through rural areas you must always be observant of pedestrians and animals wandering onto roads, as well as prepare for a lack of road lighting.
Kindly be aware of your vehicle speed at all time and please do NOT overload the vehicle! Most of the ‘roads’ are unmade tracks and the tarmac too is seriously potholed or has hidden dips, enough to take out any suspension.
Drive very carefully (30Kph) through the villages.
People, particularly children, are less aware of vehicles than elsewhere and step out without notice. Added to poor cycling skills and no road sense is alcohol abuse which can lead to very dangerous situations.
All vehicles picked in Lusaka are comprehensively insured, one way rentals are subjected to a surcharge, as is cross border travel to Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Malawi and Tanzania. This is subjected to your travel plans, so let us know and the amount of days you intend to be outside of Zambia.
For any other specific transport or custom itinerary requests,
kindly contact us
Pricing depends on the vehicle (please get in touch should you be interested in long-term hires). Roof tent and basic camping gear for two people are available for an additional USD 30 per night. Kindly note this kit is only available for the entire rental period, alternating addition or removal of camping equipment during the hire is not possible, minimum hire of kitted vehicle is three days.
1-7 days, price starts at USD 145.00 per day
8-14 days, price starts at USD 140.00 per day
15 days or more, price starts at USD 135.00 per day
We highly recommend downloading the app maps.me on your phone and before arrival in Zambia download the Zambia map. You will be surprised on the accuracy of some of the remote loops in South Luangwa listed and the app works without any phone or wifi signal. So yes, do prepare for a digital detox too!
We have some more tips read more
All prices exclude fuel, and a security deposit is applicable before handover of the vehicle. Upon your quotation a full set of terms plus an example self-drive contract will be send to you. Minimum hire for kitted vehicles is three days.
More than 30% of Zambia is reserved for wildlife. There are 20 national parks and 34 game management areas in the country. South Luangwa, Kafue and Lower Zambezi rank among the finest national parks in the world.
And what about the more seasonal parks?
Kasanka, if you’re lucky you’ll catch a glimpse of a rare shoebill stork, but more famous for an astonishing bat migration with literally millions of fruit bats arriving from October every year.
Or Liuwa plains; boosting the second largest blue wildebeest migration on earth (after the Serengeti-Mara migration, of course, but without the crowds and vehicles).
So choosing which one to go to for your safari is a pretty hard job. Let us assist, based on your initial ideas and give you insider tips to come to a safari of a life-time!
Adrenaline & Adventure
Aside from its incredible national parks and scenery, Zambia is one of Africa’s most acclaimed adventure and extreme sports capitals.
A range of action activities, draws visitors from all over the globe every year. Whether it’s bungee jumping from the Vic Falls Bridge, or river rafting down the wild Zambezi, you are sure to find something to get the adrenaline pumping and make your trip to Zambia an even more unforgettable experience.
Did you know: The Falls were described as the ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ by the Kololo tribe, which means ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ for the spray and noise?
We are more than happy to assist in combining your safari with some additional adrenaline, but don't forget to take in the beautiful scenery as well.
Know there most certainly is some travel involved between the best parks in Zambia and the magnificent falls!
While Victoria Falls, not surprisingly, tends to steal the limelight, Zambia has an array of wonderful waterfalls, cascades, rapids, cataracts and flumes on the many rich waterways that criss-cross the country.
Why not head north, completely remote and off the standard route? Don't forget to explore lake Tanganyika (the world’s longest lake), who knows visit Lake Mweru, or taking in the secluded beach holiday atmosphere that can be found on the banks these splendid lakes?
And then we have not even written about of Lake Kariba, bordering Zimbabwe. There is just too much to explore; Zambia offers something for everyone.
Let us assist in arranging your self-drive vehicle or arrange a fully guided and private trip just for you.
Do we have personal experience? You bet, we visited and explored all and can give insider tips
We are more than happy to arrange an itinerary for you, mixing up accommodation to be really exploring this beautiful country on your own self-drive.
Mixing up camping in your fully kitted vehicle with sometimes an upgrade to a chalet, all is possible!
And yes, that means assisting in a transfer from the airport after a long flight, a calm and extensive hand over of the vehicle and have some ideas in mind to start your adventure!