Travel Information

Speed limits:
Highways - 120km/h (South Africa & Zimbabwe 100km/h)
Freeways - 120km/h
Suburbs - 60km/h

SOUTH AFRICA:

With a total of 84 000km tarred roads, the road network is well constructed. Only few of the highways are subject to fees. On unregulated road crossings (4 way stops), the vehicle that arrived at the crossing first, has right of way. The other vehicles regulate the rest individually. At a roundabout the vehicle in the circle has right of way. The maximum alcohol limit aloud is 0,5 per mille. Disregard to the traffic system will be severely punished. Traffic lights in South Africa stand behind the intersection and not before. In rural regions one can expect herds of livestock on the roads, or at night persons or vehicles traveling on the road without lights. Petrol stations are evenly spread along the highways. Often they are connected to mechanical shops where repairs can be made. They are usually open from Monday to Saturday from 07h00 - 18h00, and mostly don't accept credit cards. Road names in cities are mostly painted on curbstones. In National parks the speed limits are between 25 - 50km/h. In the Kruger National park you can drive 50km/h on tarred roads and 40km/h on sand roads.

NAMIBIA:

In Namibia the maximum alcohol limit aloud is 0,8 per mille. The rules for the unregulated road intersections are the same as in South Africa - all vehicles coming into the crossing must stop, and the first one that stopped is the first one that can carry on driving over the intersection. Only the most important roads in this country are tarred, and the rest are mostly gravel roads. Although most locals drive very fast on these gravel roads, you should for safety reasons not exceed the limit of 80km/h.

The most common cause for accident is the collision with wild animals like Kudu or warthogs. Should you encounter dust clouds caused by oncoming traffic, don't forget to turn on your headlights. Beware of the first rain showers on tarred roads, when the settled dust becomes a slippery sheet.

Your journey on farm roads will often be disrupted by gates or grids, which one leaves as one has found them. Petrol stations are rare in remote areas, so fill up whenever you get the chance. In National parks the speed limits are restricted. In the Etosha National park one is aloud to drive 60km/h. Leaving the main roads in these protected areas is prohibited, and will be heavily fined.

BOTSWANA:

Only the most important freeways like Mafeking-Gaborone-Francistown-Kazungula are tarred, the rest (especially in the parks) one must expect sand and gravel roads. It is essential that all vehicles traveling into Botswana have four-wheel-drive. Be aware to drive carefully at all times, because potholes and other obstacles can quickly be cause of an axle break. Water filled holes should be driven around, not through. On sand and gravel roads it is often not possible to travel faster than 30km/h. Beware of wild animals, and prevent being closed into the middle of the herd.

Petrol stations are very rare in Botswana, and are not constantly supplied. In the AA-Maps of Botswana all petrol stations are drawn in. In any case, it is advisable to carry an extra jerry can with you. Most stations are open between 07h00 and 18h00.

ZIMBABWE:

The road network of Zimbabwe consists of about 5 000km freeway. These roads are in good condition, and are signposted at regular intervals. Intersections that have no specific regulators, are dealt with the right-before-left preference. You are allowed to drive for 90 days with your national driver's license if you have a certified copy translated into English. In remote areas only the middle of the road is tarred. It is essential for the National parks to have a vehicle with four-wheel-drive.

Petrol stations are quite common. Opening hours are mostly from 06h00 to 18h00. Please note that on weekends they are mostly closed.