How to travel Southern Africa on a budget:
Rent a car. It is more cost effective than public transport (as long as you split between three or more people) and gives you more freedom. BUT you must know how to drive a stick, or at least hope your companions do. I do not know how to drive a stick, but both Mel and Suteh do. It is also important to have multiple drivers to share the load.
Buy groceries. Split the cost. Share everything. Only eat when you are hungry. Only get foods that will last a long time.
Camp if you can. It is so much cheaper than a room, but you still have access the facilities of the lodge.
Prioritize. Know what is at the top of your list to do/see and know what you don't mind canceling if you run short on time or money.
Know the entry requirements of each country. We traveled South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The only country that required us to purchase a visa was Zimbabwe. We probably wouldn't have even bothered with Zimbabwe if it wasn't for Victoria Falls, but that was a high priority on our list.
Make friends. Friends will tell you the cheapest options, show you things to do that are off the beaten path (and therefore cheaper), and inform you of what tourist traps to avoid. Friends will also sometimes cook for you, give you maps, and lend you things you may temporarily need.
Make sacrifices. As you must do anytime you are on a budget. Sometimes that means bad coffee, or no coffee. Sometimes that means eating very simply and even eating the same things everyday. Sometimes that means sleeping on the hard ground and using your dirty laundry bag as a pillow. Sometimes that means not buying souvenirs (there is little room for them anyway). Sometimes that means filling water bottles with water from the tap rather than buying cold water from the spar (store). Your budget (and what you can handle) of course will determine the sacrifices.
AND THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE!
