Our trip to Costa Rica with Self Drive Adventures was a fantastic experience. We were provided with an excellent Toyota Prado 4WD and were able to drive to some amazing parts of the country, through spectacular jungles, mountains and beaches, on some at times challenging roads. Our guides were terrific and our confidence in them allowed us to tackle some sections that were truly memorable. Accommodation was  generally in smaller lodges / resorts that felt perfect for their locations. The opportunity to see wildlife in its’ natural habitat and to have small agricultural producers explain their processes was terrific.

I have long wanted to visit Costa Rica. I had been told that it is like “a zoo without fences” and that sounded brilliant.

When Self Drive Adventures advertised that they were offering a month-long trip in the country, we jumped at it. This was to be our 5th trip with them, which should tell you just how enjoyable and interesting they have all been. So now, after this 4WD experience in wild nature, I can definitely say that this trip ranks right at the top of our favourite adventures!

The animal and bird life was prolific. Think armadillos in the garden, sloths lazing in trees, tapirs snoozing by day, howler monkeys acting as early morning alarm clocks, hummingbirds shimmering in flight, toucans and macaws and so many other stunning birds, you’ll lose count. And not only was the volcanic and coastal landscape stunning, there was also an amazing and varied amount of 4WDing to satisfy enthusiasts. We tackled rocks, mud, steep mountains, beaches, rivers and more rivers. To say we avoided normal and main roads would be an understatement – we were truly off the beaten track! Our local guides, Gustavo and Greco, were especially adept at get us into and out of “interesting” situations with grace, good humour and a high level of competence and knowledge. They were incomparable!

Costa Rica may be small and out of the way for Australians, but we drove around 3500 kms and can truly say we’ve had the experience of a lifetime there. Just go!

For anyone who likes the road less travelled on a well organised tour that takes in local culture and wildlife then SDA’s 4x4 adventures is for you.

Costa Rica was our second trip with SDA and didn’t disappoint. Scenically it is a beautiful country of mountains, rivers, rainforest, lakes, waterfalls, beaches and wildlife galore. Our itinerary covered most of the country and gave us some amazing experiences in some out of the way places. The accommodation was unique, varied and comfortable. The small group enabled plenty of 4WD in reliable, late model vehicles. The guides were friendly and competent and the organisation by SDA cannot be faulted. Highly recommend.

I would like to thank you so much for providing me with a holiday adventure I will never forget. I continue to talk to friends and family about my amazing visit to Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.  I am very impressed with your passion and experience of Africa that I felt relaxed and in safe hands from the start. Thank you again for that.  What a fantastic time I had. I loved the many surprises along the way. A true African experience. I will never forget my trip to Bushman village and schools. The local  people with their smiling faces. I experienced many different and spectacular landscapes and scenery of Namibia remotely and the wildlife was amazing at Etosha National Park. Since returning home I have been asked what the highlight was and I have had difficulty answering because there were so many things I loved, all for different reasons.  I am missing my 4x4 everyday  driving through the canyons, national parks, and etc.  Our guides were friendly and remained professional at all times. I would recommend this adventure holiday to those that are looking to sharing their African dream with someone that is professional and knows how to plan a fun holiday that you will treasure for a lifetime. 

What an adventure! Madagascar was a revelation to us - a country unlike any other with so much to see and experience. Unique flora and fauna, beautiful unspoiled coastlines, a diverse population, challenging roads and tracks for the 4-wheel driver. And who can resist the amazing lemurs close up!

How to describe it? The mundane view would be approximately 2,000 km in 10 days. The experience is anything but mundane. In no particular order: waterfalls: just a few (that's irony but you won't get that unless you go); river crossings: numerous; glaciers: several; volcanic activity: some (but not too close); stunning views: innumerable; stark landscapes: I lost count; amazing people; plenty; incredible Icelander guides: two; geothermal baths in the middle of the wilderness: a couple; Sprengisandur (Dead Horse Track): words fail; black lava sand deserts; a few: Apollo space program lunar training areas: one (don't believe me, look it up); weather?: if you don't like it wait 5 minutes; amazing tracks to drive on: remember 2,000 kms in 10 days?; Oh and Self Drive Adventures? An amazing team that deliver fantastic experiences. Don't believe me, go and find out for yourself. Highly recommended!!

A truly unforgettable road trip, full of adventure and variety. Probably the best way to see large areas of South America . Excellent leaders provided unstinting support when necessary but encouraged independence and individual interests. A great balance.

We have both always loved getting off the beaten track and exploring remote parts of the world, but on our own, not in a tour. When we met Linda and Mike at their stand at the Mystery Creek agricultural show, we changed our minds about travelling independently - we went on the Vietnam tour with them and it was absolutely FANTASTIC!  A small group of like-minded and fun people, Superwoman for our tour leader (Hooray for Linda!), our own jeep to drive, an amazing support crew, lots of unexpected extras thrown in, and very well-equipped to deal with any issues. The planning was superb, the food was awesome, and the camaraderie was just fabulous. And that's just talking about Self Drive Adventures! I could rave about the beautiful Vietnamese scenery, people and culture for ever. We can't wait to do another tour with Self Drive Adventures and heartily recommend them to others.

Our third experience with Self Drive Adventures has only made us more enthusiastic to travel with them again. Everything is superbly organised, though mishaps can in fact add to the enjoyment; the trips are truly off the beaten track and on back roads, not highways and become a real adventure. Well done as usual, Mike and Linda!

Although I love travelling overseas, Africa was not really on my bucket list as I prefer to travel independently and not on a ‘tour’.  As a member of the Landrover Club of the A.C.T., I have done a lot of four wheel driving and camping across Australia but never imagined that I could have the same experience in Africa. I was hooked when Linda and Mike did a presentation at our club meeting and I found out that (a) I could drive my own four wheel drive in a small convoy just as we do in Australia and (b) I could camp in the bush and experience the African scenery. My interest in the African wildlife was only a secondary consideration then. I was blown away by the magic of the whole trip (31 day Botswana and Namibia) and had probably the best holiday I have ever had in my life. The company was wonderful, the driving exciting and varied, the desert scenery breathtaking, the visits to bush villages and schools educational and eye-opening and the camping and varied camp sites wonderful. The Hilux utes and the camping gear provided were very functional and comfortable. However, the wildlife experience was just amazing. I never imagined that I would be so up front and personal with hundreds of elephants, lions, hippos, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, hyenas, wildebeest, rhinos, cape buffalo, impala, kudu, letchway, oryx, springbok and hartebeest, to name a few of the animals we encountered. Mike, Linda and Dave were wonderful hosts and support, and we also had the company of local guide Chris in his safari truck to lead us to the waterholes and rivers of Moremi Game Reserve, Khawai and Chobe National Park.  The overnight stay at Victoria Falls was a once in a lifetime experience as was quad biking on the dunes at Swakopmund, cruising on the Chobe river at Ngepi, flying over the Okavango delta and driving through Etosha Wildlife Reserve. I have recommended a Self Drive Adventure to other club members and friends, many of whom have ‘signed up’. I am off to Iceland with Mike and Linda in July and will be back to Africa first chance I get!            

I had the most wonderful journey through Namibia and Botswana, absolutely loved it.   Dave (our guide) was a terrific person to travel with. He was so patient, helpful and knowledgeable. He kept us all on track and on time but in a fun way.  I wasn't the only one impressed with his calm manner.  Nothing was too much trouble for him. I (& I believe everyone else) had total confidence in him, which is no mean feat when you're camping in the African bush.

I can't explain how much I just loved being in the tent, listening to the animal sounds at night (I even learnt that hyenas snuffle and crocodiles bark) or driving along the river beds looking for giraffe.   I also enjoyed our accommodation in Windhoek at Londiningi too, Nathalie & Alex & staff just great, food fantastic, and of course Chris has to be the very best/nicest/most knowledgeable wildlife guide EVER.

Thank you Linda for your part in running the tour & making it all so easy - now all I have to do is figure out how to get back to the tent under that tree in Khwai camp Botswana.

Thoroughly enjoyable trip. Trip was as described and went to areas not usually visited by tourists. Local guide was excellent.

We have travelled to many interesting places in the world but nothing has ever compared with our holiday with “Self Drive Adventures”. We love 4x4 driving, we love camping, we love having adventures in the outdoors and that’s exactly what our holiday offered. The added bonus was the fact that we saw animals by the hundreds, visited villages and schools as well as having the opportunity to meet and mix with the locals. It ticked every box. Linda and Mike organised everything with professionalism, nothing was ever any trouble and their knowledge of the country was outstanding. We would highly recommend an African “Self Drive Adventure” as your next holiday destination, you won’t be disappointed.

For the last 15 years we'd been dreaming of travelling Africa, but we could not imagine ourselves being in a bus chasing wildlife in private reserves – that would be only slightly better than going to a zoo. When we came across the Self Drive Adventures advertisement we knew straight away that it was the best way to experience African country, people, landscapes and wildlife. We were right! One month trip was our unforgettable adventure thanks to Mike's vast knowledge of the country, customs and wildlife behaviour. Every day was special, either seeing the wildlife, the scenery or pristine bush camps. The number of elephants, giraffes, zebras, springbok, hippos and more exceeded our expectation. There had been quite a few unforgettable events like a Rhino mother feeding her baby at the waterhole, two elephant mothers taking their families across the Chobe River, an amorous lion and visiting the Himba people. Thank you Mike for your leadership and friendly atmosphere on the trip.

We have just returned home from our 7 weeks with you on our 4WD trip through Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.  We would like to say a big thank you for organising and leading a marvellous trip which encompassed all we had asked for in Southern Africa. From the route to the campsites to the sights, it was all enthralling. We can’t think of anything that stood out as a highlight – and that is only because everything was special!

The wildlife of Botswana, the landscapes of Namibia and the people and sights of Zimbabwe – our trip lived up to all expectations. A special mention is due for Dave, our knowledgeable and patient guide, whose presence gave the trip an extra dimension.  We have both travelled throughout Africa before and frequently joined self-drive expeditions. This self drive adventure was outstanding in all aspects and we look forward to planning another trip with you in the future.  Thank you once again.  It was an exceptional experience!   

A fantastic way to see this part of Africa. Amazing wildlife, some challenging (but not dangerous) 4WD driving, great guides, interesting campsites, amazing sunsets.