Equipping a vehicle for overland travel is costly, so if you do not intend to use the vehicle regularly, or you are not yet sure if you would really enjoy this in the long term, you should consider renting a fully equipped 4WD vehicle for a once-off trip. By Karin Theron

There are many trustworthy companies with good experience offering this service. For some people it’s a really good option to fly to a tourist destination and rent a vehicle for their African safari.

If you want to visit national parks, it is advisable to make accommodation reservations prior to committing to hire a vehicle. Some parks are just so popular that you simply have to book months in advance. This is true about all the Botswana parks, Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, and the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Read more: Booking national parks in Botswana Continue reading What to look out for when you rent a vehicle for overlanding →