African road trip - Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia

What would you have changed?

I wouldn't really change anything about the trip itself. I'd love to be able to extend it and see more places in Zambia but that has to wait for another trip.

How was the food?

Not really a foodie destination to be honest. Unless you stay in some luxurious lodges, I'm sure they have posh restaurants inside :) For us if was mostly oatmeals for breakfast and baked beans for dinner.

What tips would you give a friend?

If you are deciding to go on a road trip in countries like Botswana, it's good to have a buddy that knows how to fix cars. I'm not saying you need a mechanic but someone with some knowledge. Also, at the time when we were there, our European sim cards were not working. So we had one satellite phone, just in case. It's probably changed now but worth to check before you go.

Packing tips?

Unless you're an Instagram influencer, you don't need sparkling dresses and fancy shoes ;) Good walking shoes, if you are planning to do rafting, make sure you take some shoes that can get wet (no flip flops as they will swim away the first time you fly into the water ;)) I'd take a lot of long sleeved tops and trousers from breathable materials. There were a LOT of mosquitos in Botswana and we were there in the 'malaria season'. Also, bring lots of long socks as mosquitos love to bite that strip of bare skin between trousers and socks.

Transportation Tips?

I think it's best to book your own car and do self driven safaris as you have a lot more independence and you're not limited by any tour operators. When you move from one place to another, be mindful about the time that the Camp gate closes (usually before it gets dark, so 6-7PM). Once the Camp closes before you get in, you're in trouble.

Any surprises?

Don't bother to pack mosquito sprays. In supermarkets in Botswana, you can buy mosquito spray with the % of DDT that's not even legal in Europe. It works wonders but be careful not to spray it directly onto your skin. It's better to spray yourself while fully dressed. Oh and it might discolour some of your clothes. But it works really well!

Booking details?

We planned and booked everything by ourselves. Starting from flights, cars and accommodations. I recommend booking accommodation way in advance as some lodges sell out months in advance.