Which companies help plan a self-drive safari in southern Africa?

These local operators in southern Africa plan or support self-drive trips on their own websites; each card quotes the company's own line.

Which companies help plan a self-drive safari in southern Africa?

The 21 operators below are based in southern Africa and each plan or support self-drive trips, quoted on their cards, with their published price where they give one. The first three on this page are Chameleon Safaris, Nature Travel Namibia and Kurt Safari, the three with the most reviews on Google and SafariBookings together.

What do they charge?

5 of the 21 operators on this page publish a price with its currency; for the others, nothing on their websites as read can be shown here.

• Kurt Safari: Victoria Falls 4 day packages from US$1 069 to US$1 631.
• Blue Crane Safaris: Namibia Grand Highlights Expedition, 15 days, N$120,250 (N$143,500)
• Namvic Safaris: 12 Day Explore Namibia (guided lodge) from N$75,500 per person guide; 9 Day Namibia Snapshot (guided lodge) from N$32,551 per person sharing from 4 guests; 18 Day Highlights (self-drive) from N$40,600 per person guide; 11 Day Explore Namibia (camping self-drive) from N$17,450 per person sharing from 4 guests (N$69,800 for 4 guests); 10 Day Namibian Explorer (self-drive lodge) from N$131,728 per vehicle for 4 guests; 21 Day Namibia, Botswana & Vic Falls from N$55,625 per person guide; 21 Day Namibia Wild Tracks from N$99,839 for 2 guests.
• Unfold Africa Safaris: Moremi photographic from USD 700 per day; self-drive from USD 650 per night.
• Namibia-Experience: Namibia Family Tour 12 days, 5,008 USD adults / 3,829 USD children.

How do they run their trips?

17 of the 21 operators on this page say how they run trips (private, scheduled or overland); for the others, nothing on their websites as read can be shown here.

• Chameleon Safaris: Scheduled small-group departures on fixed days with no minimum number of people, group size normally a maximum of 10; private guided safaris on your own dates; overland truck for 12 to 20 for large private groups.
• Nature Travel Namibia: Private guided safaris and group guided set-departure safaris with fixed itinerary and date; groups kept to 6 people or less.
• Kurt Safari: Shared scheduled departures: small-group packages leave Johannesburg Monday and Wednesday to Saturday, max 10 per vehicle, minimum 2 people to run.
• Blue Crane Safaris: Private bespoke guided trips are sold, plus scheduled guided group departures with fixed dates (for example Namibia Desert, Coast & Etosha Explorer departs 09 and 16 Nov 2026 and on set dates in 2027) with 2 to 6 guests per vehicle.
• Red Africa Safaris: Tours are private ('Our Tours are Private meaning that your accommodation, transfers and certain routes are done privately'), though other guests may join some activities such as open vehicle game drives and bushwalks.
• Jenman African Safaris: Private tours and set-date guided group departures.
• Endless Summer Tours: Specialises in private tours and shared small group tours.
• Siya Phambile Expeditions: Private exclusive use costs a surcharge.
• Dunas Safari: Private and small-group guided safaris are offered.
• Desert Africa Safaris: Private, tailor-made trips.
• Mana Pools Tourism Services: Private custom trips ('All routes are Custom')
• Nalange Mobile Safaris: Private and small-group safaris are offered.
• Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours: Guided convoy tours with a minimum of 3 vehicles (quotes for fewer), maximum 5 vehicles with 4 people per vehicle; dates are chosen on the Calendar and Bookings page.
• Meine Namibia Safaris: Private guided safaris and a set-itinerary small group tour for a maximum of 7 guests; guided off-road convoy tours with a 4-participant minimum.
• SWA Safaris: Offers family and group tours and tailor-made guided tours.
• Unfold Africa Safaris: Private small-party trips: 'Your own vehicle and guide'.
• Ingwe Africa Safaris: Private tours are offered (the Kruger day tour has a 'Can I book a private tour?' question; honeymoon packages are private for 2).

What do they say about children?

8 of the 21 operators on this page publish a child or family policy; for the others, nothing on their websites as read can be shown here.

• Chameleon Safaris: Minimum ages vary by tour, usually 5 or 12 years.
• Kurt Safari: Children 11 years and below sharing with parents get 50% off package rates; under 12s have discounted safari rates and half-price conservation fees.
• Blue Crane Safaris: The Ultimate Namibia Family Camping Adventure is for families with children, minimum age 5 years; children 5 to 11 pay 50% of the adult rate (N$31,975 Green Season baseline, N$33,900 Peak).
• Red Africa Safaris: Children below 6 years are not permitted on open vehicle game drives; children below 12 are not allowed on any bushwalks.
• Jenman African Safaris: Indemnity forms must be completed by a parent or guardian aged 21 or over for children aged 12 to 18 on scheduled tours.
• Siya Phambile Expeditions: Families are welcomed ('for all ages'; families named alongside schools and groups) and a Lion & Safari Park day option is aimed at children.
• Ingwe Africa Safaris: Family trips are offered: Family Kruger & Victoria Falls (8 days) with junior ranger bush programmes, child-safe malaria-free options and family suites and a Kruger Family Safari day tour with Junior Ranger activity packs.
• Namibia-Experience: The Namibia Family Tour (12 days, private) is priced 5,008 USD adults / 3,829 USD children; it says there is no strict minimum age but kids aged 6 and above enjoy it most.

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 2 November 2026 · updated 2 November 2026