Botswana Travel Forum

Hi there,

I'm planning a self-drive trip from Cape Town, via Namibia, through Botswana. I understand that the road conditions in South Africa and Namibia are such that a 2WD vehicle is sufficient. My question is: Will a 2WD vehicle get me safely from Windhoek to Kasane? Are there major places I won't be able to go? My vehicle rental is $600 for a one-way trip in a 2WD car and nearly $1500 for a 4WD. Is it really worth the extra $900?

Thanks,

Hi. You can only do it if you enter Botswana through the Caprivi strip and from Namibia at the Ngoma border gate and drive on the tarred road which takes you from the border gate to Kasane through the north of Chobe National Park. However, you will only be able to drive on this road, as all the side roads and routes off, which frankly take you to anything that's worth seeing, are all deep sand in Botswana and a 2WD will be impossible. Having driven around Namibia and Botswana in 4WD, I would very strongly recommend you keep to 4WD, even in Namibia the roads are largely gravel and 2WD will be much more prone to issues. And its a long way from anywhere to get mechanical help. Your experience would be much richer and you'd see far more wild life and far more of the national parks if you went by 4WD. The stretch of road I've described is the only stretch in Botswana accessible by 2WD.
WD

sorry, just to clarify, its the only stretch going through a national park, which is accessible by 2WD.

Hi,

$600? For how many days. Yep, there are fantastic roads between Windhoek and Kasane. Just watch out for animals and do not drive after dark. If you really want a 4wd in a park, why not rent one locally (or hire a driver of one) for a day? Then no need for the extra $900 plus lots of extra expensive fuel.

All the best,

DAO

You can also enter Botswana at Mohembo (near Shakawe, Botswana). From there you would pass through Maun and Nata on your way to Kasane. There is only about 20 kms of unpaved road left north of the border at Mohembo, and that road can be easily travelled using a 2x4.