A Selection of our Personal Favourites for Overlanding
Southern Africa is the ultimate destination for anyone passionate about overlanding and adventure travel. From Namibia’s vast deserts to Zimbabwe‘s eastern highlands, the region is filled with unforgettable campsites that capture the spirit of freedom on the open road. When it comes to overlanding and self drive experience, the real magic often happens when the engine stops for the day. Those evenings spent under open skies, cooking by the fire, and listening to the sounds of the wild are what make adventure travel across Africa so rewarding.
At Drive Africa, we’ve stayed at some incredible spots over the years, too many to list in fact, but here are a few of our favourite camps, perfectly set up for overlanders.
Klein-Aus Vista Desert Horse Inn – Namibia
Located on the edge of the Namib Desert, Klein-Aus Vista is one of Namibia’s best campsites. It’s well run, beautifully positioned, and the surrounding scenery is stunning. The area is home to the famous wild desert horses of Aus, an incredible sight in such a harsh environment. The camping spots are well laid out with shade and windbreakers as well as running water. The site also has a different options for accommodation and the main building has a restaurant and ice cold beer on tap. The deserted former mining town of Kolmanskop is nearby and the surrounding hills have some well marked hikes, stunning for sunrise or sunset views. A must stop in Southern Namibia.
Why we love it: beautiful desert views, good facilities, and the chance to see Namibia’s wild horses in their natural habitat.
Guma Camp – Botswana
We actually stumbled upon this one after planning to stay at another camp that was closed due to flooding. We happened to bump into the owner and his son as we crossed the Mohembo border from Namibia into Botswana. After chatting with them we knew we had to sample their hospitality. It turned out to be one of our favourite campsites in Africa. Not just for the beautiful camp spots and surrounding wildlife but also just for the poition of the main lodge and deck just a few feet above the Okavango Delta. Watching the sunset with the surrounding bird life and the soundtrack of grunting hippos was one of our most special moments on any overlanding trip through Africa.
Why we love it: The views over the legendary delta, the remoteness, quiet and incredible hospitality.
Lotri Bay – Zambia
Perched on the edge of Lake Kariba, Lotri Bay is one of our favourite spots in Zambia. It’s beautifully set with shaded pitches overlooking the water and zebras regularly grazing in close proximity to your vehicle, a special sight to greet you as you climb out of your tent in the mornings. There are great hiking trails in the surrounding hills for views over the lake, an enclosed swimming area in the water for a safe dip, and free to use kayaks to explore the shoreline. It’s a peaceful, well-run base that’s ideal for a few nights of lakeside relaxation on any self Drive Africa route.
Why we love it: clear freshwater swimming, free use of the kayaks, well set up level camp spots with excellent braai facilities.
Ngepi Camp – Namibia
Ngepi Camp is an institution among overlanders. Set on the banks of the Cubango River in Namibia’s Caprivi Strip, it’s famous for its quirky personality and friendly vibe. It’s also one of the few places where you can fall asleep to the sound of hippos grunting nearby. They have a well stocked bar and restaurant if you don’t feel like cooking and even the drive there from the main road is an experience, passing through some local villages, you really feel like you’re in the heart of the bush here. The last time we stayed at Ngepi we were setting camp when suddenly a crocodile came leaping out of the water with a small antelope in it’s jaws. An incredible sighting right from our own campsite. Don’t worry though, they don’t bother campers as long as you stay out of the water!
Why we love it: great atmosphere, fun and creative setup, and a truly wild setting on the water’s edge.
Planet Baobab – Botswana
Located near Gweta, Planet Baobab is the perfect base for exploring the vast Makgadikgadi Pans. The private campsites are spacious and shaded by enormous baobabs, offering plenty of comfort after long days on the road. There’s a great restaurant bar, ideal for meeting other travellers and enjoying a cold drink. There’s also a beautiful pool that’s perfect for cooling off in the heat of the day. It’s one of those rare spots that combines real comfort with authentic overlanding charm.
Why we love it: relaxing around the pool under enormous baobabs, a great base for exploring the pans, and a cold drink at the end of a long drive.
Hidden Rocks – Zimbabwe
Hidden Rocks, near Nyanga, lives up to its name. Surrounded by granite boulders and bushveld, it’s peaceful, scenic, and a great stop between Harare and Nyanga National Park. The camp sites are fairly basic but the view more than make up for it. The area is rich in history, with ancient rock art dotted all around and a number of sign posted hikes to explore the rocks, art and admire the sweeping views of the seemingly endless peaks.
Why we love it: the warm hospitality, peaceful bush setting, and stunning views. Oh, and a few friendly resident cats, but don’t worry, they’re the domestic kind, not the big-toothed variety.
Olifants Rest Camp – Kruger National Park, South Africa
When it comes to Kruger, it’s hard to beat Olifants Rest Camp for views. Sitting high above the Olifants River, it offers sweeping panoramas of South Africa‘s largest national park, and if you’re lucky, you can watch elephants and hippos from your tent or campsite. The facilities are excellent, and it’s an ideal base for a few days of self-drive game viewing. It also has a great restaurant and shop for restocking on supplies or taking home some local gifts. Kruger has many excellent rest camps but this might just be out personal favourite.
Why we love it: incredible views, well-maintained facilities, and well situated for some of Kruger’s best game drive routes.
Etosha Trading Post – Namibia
A perfect stop just outside Etosha National Park, the Trading Post offers convenience, comfort, and a great base before or after exploring the park. The campsites are tidy, shaded and with a level concrete pad, making it easy to park and set up the roof tent. They also have private bathroom and kitchen, all enclosed in a charming looking stone building. Housed in a stunning main building, there’s a pool for cooling off, and a very well-stocked shop for supplies, take away meals and a fuel station. Everything an overlander could need.
Why we love it: just over 6km from Etosha’s Anderson Gate, ideal for self-drive safaris in the park, and beautifully appointed campsites and shop.
Koimasis Farm – Namibia
Koimasis is one of those peaceful places that you find on the road and never want to leave. Nestled in the red hills of the Tiras Mountains just off the legendary D707, it’s very peaceful setting, surrounded by some of our favourite scenery in all of Africa. Good facilities, a variety of accommodation options including camping, chalets and lodge rooms. Also included is genuine Namibian hospitality.
Why we love it: the remoteness, the dramatic backdrop, and the sense of space and silence that is hard to beat outside of Namibia.
The Spirit of Overlanding
For us, these campsites represent what overlanding in southern Africa is all about – freedom, space, and an opportunity to relax and take the wilderness you travel through, all the while enjoying the comfort of well excellent facilities. Whether you’re camping on the edge of the Namib desert, beside the Okovango Delta, or under towering baobabs, every stop adds to the journey.
Each of these places has its own charm, but they all share one thing: they make you slow down and appreciate what makes self drive Africa so special. You don’t just pass through these places, you live in them, even if only for a night.
If you’re planning your next adventure travel trip, we at Drive Africa can help you plan a route that includes some of these incredible campsites. From vehicle setup rentals to full itinerary planning and booking, we’re here to make sure your overlanding journey is one you’ll never forget.
