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Imagine Africa  >  Self-drive
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Imagine Africa Guidebooks

We have a selection of guidebooks to some of our most popular countries in Africa. Written by our specialists, they detail destination information, a wildlife guide, some suggested itineraries and plenty more to inspire your holiday. Fill in the form below and if you live in UK, your guidebook will arrive by post within the next couple of days. For those who live abroad, we will send this via a PDF to your email.

Self-drive holidays

Nothing beats taking on the open road and exploring all the ins and outs of a destination at your own pace, taking in shifting landscapes and jaw-dropping vistas.

One of Africa’s youngest countries, the stunning landscape of Namibia is best enjoyed on an unforgettable self-drive adventure. Rent a car and cruise by at your own pace as you pass by vast red dunes and crashing waves. There are plenty of empty roads to be explored, but a good place to start is at the Etosha National Park where self-driving is an easy and affordable option. Water is scarce which means large herds of animals congregate around Etosha’s famous waterholes, including black rhinos and flamingos.

A good way to get under the skin of Zimbabwe is to get behind the wheel. With a mixture of scenic landscapes, history, culture and fantastic game viewing, Zimbabwe perfectly lends itself to self-drive discovery. Explore the beautiful Eastern Highlands, the Matobo Hills and the Victoria Falls all at your own pace.

With unbeatable scenery and endless adventure activities, South Africa’s Garden Route packs wildlife, culture, adventure, beach and cosmopolitan cities into one incredible trip of a lifetime. The route stretches along 200km and is sandwiched in between the Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Indian Ocean – making it a best way to experience South Africa’s stunning coastline.

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Central Highlands, Namibia

The Elegant Farmstead makes a convenient overnight stop for those travelling between Etosha and Windhoek and offers comfortable accommodation in a tranquil farm setting with the opportunity to enjoy game drives or just relax by the lovely swimming pool.

The Elegant Farmstead

Hermanus, South Africa

138 Marine Beachfront Guesthouse is an outstanding and stylish guesthouse in Sandbaai, a short drive from Hermanus. Astonishing views and the warmest of welcomes make 138 Marine Beachfront a wonderful base for whale watching and cliff-top walks.

138 Marine Beachfront Guesthouse

Southern Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe

Norma Jeane's Lake View Resort is set in the granite hills and Msasa woodlands overlooking Lake Mutirikwe (formerly known as Lake Kyle). The resort offers comfortable accommodation for visitors to use as a base to explore Great Zimbabwe Ruins.

Norma Jeane's Lakeview Resort

Swakopmund, Namibia

The Strand Hotel Swakopmund is based on what seems to be the hotel's own peninsula offering guests fantastic ocean views from both sides of the hotel. This luxurious contemporary hotel is a gem on the beautiful Namibian coastline.

Strand Hotel Swakopmund

Swakopmund, Namibia

The Hansa Hotel - nestling in the very centre of the charming little town of Swakopmund, wrapped in the shape of a timelessly classical building dating from 1905, and integral part of Swakopmund's architectural heritage.

Hansa Hotel

Swakopmund, Namibia

Meerkat Guesthouse is a small guesthouse in Swakopmund on Namibia’s Atlantic coast. Despite a rather humdrum exterior, Meerkat Guesthouse is lovely inside and makes a good base to experience Swakopmund’s charm and the range of activities on offer.

Meerkat Guesthouse

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Hunter’s Country House is an award-winning lodge near Plettenberg Bay on South Africa’s famous Garden Route. Great for families, Hunter’s Country House is a peaceful retreat ideally placed for exploring the area’s mountains and golden beaches.

Hunter’s Country House

Windhoek, Namibia

Olive Grove is a comfortable small guesthouse in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek. With delightful gardens, friendly service and excellent cuisine, Olive Grove makes for a charming and relaxing stay at the beginning or end of your Namibian adventure.

Olive Grove

Windhoek, Namibia

The Elegant Guesthouse is a contemporary and stylish owner-run guesthouse in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek. The Elegant Guesthouse has beautiful gardens and home comforts, making it a great place to relax at the start or end of a Namibia trip.

The Elegant Guesthouse

Hermanus, South Africa

Uniquely located on Siever’s Point, Hermanus’s scenic seafront, Abalone Guest Lodge offers its guests direct access to the well-known cliff path used for whale spotting. This luxury guest lodge comfort and unsurpassed views across the ocean.

Abalone Guest Lodge

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Northern Cape, South Africa

Perfect for self-drivers looking for stunning scenery, incredible flowers and plenty of outdoor activities, this trip offers something completely different from the rest of South Africa.

14 nights from $4770 per person Spectacular scenery, Beach, Walking & Trekking

South Africa in Bloom

Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Grootberg, Etosha, Okonjima

Discover Namibia's diverse beauty with this excellent value self-drive trip taking in the dunes at Sossusvlei, activities galore in Swakopmund, desert-adapted wildlife and tribes in Damaraland, exceptional game viewing in Etosha and big cats at Okonjima.

11 nights from $4704 per person Highlights, Imagine Favourites, Beach

Discover Namibia

Cape Town & Franschhoek, South Africa

Framed by the stunning Table Mountain and offering an exciting mix of culture, history and cuisine, Cape Town is a city like no other. Spend time exploring this stunning city before heading to the town of Franschhoek to enjoy some delicious Cape wines.

7 nights from $3842 per person Honeymoon, Highlights, Beach

Express South Africa

Durban, Drakensberg, Rorke's Drift & Hluhluwe-iMfolozi

This off-the-beaten-track itinerary is perfect for those searching for an authentic, scenic and cultural adventure as well as some independence that only a self-drive holiday can offer.

8 nights from $3975 per person Culture & history, Beach, Spectacular scenery

Authentic South Africa

Kalahari, Fish River Canyon, Aus, Sossusvlei, Naukluft, Swakopmund

This trip explores the highlights of southern Namibia and the spectacular scenery on offer including: Fish River Canyon, the ghost town of Kolmanskop, the dunes at Sossusvlei, the spectacular Naukluft Mountains and activity-filled Swakopmund.

13 nights from $3909 per person Beach, Spectacular scenery, Walking & Trekking

Southern Namibia Explorer

Sabi Sands Reserve, Cape Town, Mauritius North Coast

A fabulous honeymoon inviting you to stay in a combination of stylish and luxurious properties, as you explore Cape Town and experience an unforgettable safari in the Kruger, before flying to Mauritius where you can indulge in some serious relaxation.

12 nights from $5698 per person Honeymoon, Beach, Beach

Kruger, Cape Town and Mauritius Honeymoon

Central Highlands, Damaraland, Skeleton Coast, Kaokoland, Etosha, Central Highlands

Experience hidden Namibia; the off-the-beaten-track, wilderness landscapes that few others head to. Track desert-adapted animals in Damaraland, explore the remote and rugged Skeleton Coast, connect with the Himba in Kaokoland and go on safari in Etosha.

14 nights from $12322 per person Spectacular scenery, Off the beaten track, Safari

Hidden Namibia

Cape Town, Hermanus and Karoo

This self-drive South Africa itinerary allows you to explore captivating Cape Town, the unique Cape Floral Kingdom in full bloom, some of the best land-based whale watching in the world and ending with a ‘Big Five’ game viewing adventure.

10 nights from $4439 per person Luxury, Beach, Beach

Return to South Africa

Kruger, Cape Town and Winelands

This itinerary offers a superb combination of safari in the Kruger National Park, a city break in Cape Town and the stunning mountain and vineyard scenery of the Winelands, really allowing you to get under the surface of South Africa’s highlights.

12 nights from $3975 per person Highlights, Safari, Wildlife

Simply South Africa

Swakopmund, Grootberg, Damaraland, Etosha, Okonjima

A wildlife focused self-drive adventure around Namibia taking in marine life at Walvis Bay, rare desert-adapted elephant and rhino in Damaraland, exceptional game viewing in Etosha National Park and big cats at Okonjima - Namibia's wildlife at its finest.

12 nights from $4836 per person Highlights, Beach, Wildlife

Wildlife Explorer

Harare, Eastern Highlands, Masvingo, Matobo Hills, Hwange, Victoria Falls

Explore Zimbabwe and get under the skin of this diverse and scenic country on this self-drive adventure which is perfect for those who are adventurous of spirit. Taking in many highlights of the country including Great Zimbabwe, Hwange and Victoria Falls!

12 nights from $4902 per person Beach, Highlights, Safari

Self-Drive Around Zimbabwe

Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route

Explore cosmopolitan Cape Town and sample the delights of the beautiful Winelands before embarking on a road trip along the scenic Route 62 and joining the world-renowned Garden Route ending with a malaria-free 'Big Five' safari in the Eastern Cape.

14 nights from $3842 per person Beach, Culture & history, Family

Classic Self-Drive South Africa

Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Namibrand Nature Reserve, Swakopmund, Damaraland, Etosha, Okonjima

This is the ultimate Namibian adventure which offers high-quality accommodation and exceptional experiences in some of the best locations for taking in the highlights of Namibia including Sossusvlei's dunes, Damaraland's elephants and Etosha's wildlife.

15 nights from $8745 per person Highlights, Imagine Favourites, Beach

Ultimate Namibia

Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland, Etosha, Okonjima

An exciting family self-drive adventure taking in the highlights of Namibia including Sossusvlei's dunes, activity-filled Swakopmund, desert-adapted wildlife in Damaraland, a safari in Etosha and the big cats of Okonjima - this is a road trip to remember!

13 nights from $3312 per person based on 2 adults & 2 children sharing Family, Highlights, Imagine Favourites

Family Self-Drive Adventure

Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Okavango Delta & Victoria Falls

Taking in some of Southern Africa's biggest highlights - Namibia's desert, the Okavango Delta and mighty Victoria Falls - this is the perfect adventure guaranteeing a memorable trip marked by breath-taking landscapes and outstanding safari experiences.

12 nights from $5300 per person Highlights, Safari, Spectacular scenery

Desert, Delta and Waterfalls

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Our Price Promise

We want to be really clear about this. We offer amazing value. Tailor-made does not have to mean expensive, it simply means attention to every detail of your trip that will be designed by a true expert.

Here at Imagine Africa, we are so confident that we offer the best value on the market that we have a price promise. If you find the exact same holiday cheaper with another UK tour operator, then we promise to beat their price by £50.

Financial Protection

Rest assured that all our holidays are 100% financially protected. Our ATOL bond protects holidays booked in the UK with flights. Our ABTOT bond protects holidays which are booked without flights or those booked outside the UK, either with or without flights.

Protection means that in the unlikely event that we become insolvent; your holiday will be refunded or you will be repatriated if already travelling or have flights with us.

Financial Protection

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