15 day South Africa 4X4 trip

After arrival at Johannesburg airport, you'll pick up your luggage and our South African representative will meet up with you right after customs. Our representative will take you to the 4X4 rental office, not far from the airport. While at the rental office be sure to check your 4X4 and camping equipment to make sure it's all working properly. After all of the required formalities are finished, you're all set for your South Africa driving adventure. The first leg of your South Africa holiday will take approximately 4 hours. You'll drive over the N4 to your first overnight stay location near Nelspruit and Kruger Park. You'll stay in a tent here on full board basis so that you'll be able recoup after travelling. 

If you arrive in Johannesburg in the evening, we'll make reservations for you to stay in a guest house near the airport.  

Today you'll be able to slowly acclimatize to your suroundings. You could, for instance, explore the tops of the northern part of the Drakensberg mountains and at the same time get some 4X4 driving practice. If you prefer to do something a little more exerting, you could also go horse riding, hiking or fishing. If you have already mastered 4X4 South Africa driving, this would be the perfect day for a horseback ride through the rugged terrain. Additionally you'll also receive extensive instructions on the use of your 4X4 and you can practice driving in certain situations if you wish. 

You'll be able to become accustomed to the rugged terrain, water crossings and potholes in the area. If you're interested, John or Shaun can let you in on all of the in's and out's of 4X4 driving. They can also tell you about the best places to stock up on supplies and also warn you where not to buy supplies on your South Africa driving safari. This will save you time and money when you get back on the open road. 

After a hearty breakfast it's time to spot wild animals. You'll continue driving across South Africa on to the Kruger Park entrance gate where you'll have most of the day to go on your own game drives. The roads are in excellent condition and you'll encounter all kinds of different animals during your drive. Stop at one of the many camps or rest stops along the way to stretch out for a bit. Drive over paved and unpaved roads until you reach one of the smaller camps in Kruger. This is where you'll set up your roof tent on top of your 4X4 and spend the night with the sounds of the animals sending you off into a deep and dreamy sleep.

Now it's time for some serious safari activities on your South Africa driving holiday. Wake up early today so that you'll be able to go on your own private game drive in your own car on your way to Kruger's Orpen gate. You'll be driving over unpaved roads to your next accommodation: a small farm located in the middle of the bush. By the time you arrive you'll be able to sit down to lunch. The lodge is located at a beautiful spot in the bush and your room is nicely decorated and even has a bath. From your veranda you'll have a great view of the bush waterholes. 

In the afternoon, around 16.00, you'll leave your own 4X4 behind and let one of our professional rangers take you on an afternoon/ evening game drive in an open land rover. Our professional local game tracker will help you spot the Big-5. You shouldn't have any problem spotting animals; this area is known for the large number of animals roaming the land freely since there are no gates to keep them away. Even lions venture into camp from time to time- sure to put some excitement into your South Africa trip. Once you return to the camp, dinner will be waiting for you and you'll be able to share game drive stories with other participants by the campfire. 

After the morning game drive and a hearty breakfast, you'll leave the lodge at around 11.00 and head for the third largest canyon in the world, Blyde River Canyon. You'll follow an unpaved road from the lodge to the town of Graskop. Take a break along the way and have a picnic at one of the many waterfalls you'll pass by, it's a great experience on your South Africa holiday.

The park is about 26,000 acres in size and the canyon itself is 30 km long with panorama view spread out over the entire area. You'll spend the night at a spacious campsite with a swimming pool, bar/ restaurant and a supermarket.

Today you'll have all day to see the well-known Panorama route. Rest out and relax a bit and then leave for a day trip through the surrounding area around mid-morning. A must-see during your day trip is Bourke's Luck Potholes. The potholes can be found where the Blyde River and the Treur River meet. Currents and whirlpools at this spot in the riverbed have created round holes in the surrounding rock formations. If the weather permits, you may even want to get your feet wet in the potholes. You may also want to stop by the town of Sabie and the former mining town Pilgrim's Rest with its' charming small cafés and historic houses. At the end of the day you'll return to the campsite. 

Then it's on to Swaziland on your South Africa driving safari. By way of Nelspruit you'll travel on to Barberton; an old gold mining village with beautiful houses in a mountainous subtropical area. Once you've left the village you'll slowly start to climb the 4X4 trail, the Bulembu route, towards Swaziland. At the simple border crossing you'll receive a stamp in your passport and before you know it you're in Swaziland. The beautiful mountain trail makes for quite an enjoyable 4X4 ride. From Piggs Peak you'll drive over paved roads to the capital of Mbabane; a hectic and somewhat chaotic city. You can stop here for a visit to the local markets and to stock up on supplies. Then you'll leave the city and head towards the Ezulwini Valley and the Mlilwane National Park. You'll spend the night at a campsite with a bar, restaurant and a swimming pool. In the evening you can sit back and relax by the campfire.

If you don't mind waking up early this morning, go on a short horseback ride through the park (reservations must be made a day in advance; this is also a fun ride for beginners). Horseback riding through the park at sunrise is an unforgettable experience on your South Africa holiday. If you're not much of a fan of horses, you can also choose to rent a mountain bike for a ride through the park. In the Mlilwane National Park you'll find small wild animals such as impalas, monkeys and gnus. However there's also a hippo-pool filled with hippos and crocodiles.

Today you'll leave Swaziland for South Africa and continue your drive in the direction of the small town of Mkuze and the Mkkuze Game Reserve, which lies at the border of St. Lucia Park. There are an incredible amount of unique birds in this area, as well as crocodiles, hippos, elephants and rhinos. Once you've reached the park, sometime in the afternoon, drive down one of the fun 4X4 routes through the southern part of the park. You'll spend the night at the park campsite.

Today you'll be able to explore the park by 4X4 once again, in search of large or small wild animals. Later in the day you'll leave the park and continue on towards Cape Vidal, the coastline behind St. Lucia Park. The coastline is made up of enormous sand dunes that border on the Indian Ocean. It's a great location for swimming, snorkelling and climbing sand dunes.
In some cases you can drive a 4X4 over the dunes, however this is only possible with a special permit (which isn't easy to acquire). It's best to venture over the dunes by foot. You'll spend the night and morning at the Cape Vidal campsite. Before you take off for Cape Vidal, be sure to stock up on supplies at a supermarket in St Lucia. The supermarket has a broad selection of products and long opening hours. 

The beaches at Cape Vidal are so beautiful and inviting that you could easily stay there all day long. However, there's so much more to see in this area such as nearby Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park. St. Lucia Lake is home to an abundance of flora and fauna and features four different eco-systems within an area of 40 km: swampland, wetlands, bush lands and grasslands. During your visit to the lake you'll see crocodiles, hippos, flamingos, pelicans and many fish-eating birds. A flat-bottom boat leaves from St. Lucia twice a day for a two hour cruise over the lake. These cruises can easily be booked on location.

If you're interested in seeing more natural parks on your South Africa driving tour, you can choose to visit Hluhluwe Park, which is 60 km west of St Lucia and known as the home of the nearly extinct white rhino. 

Today you'll embark on the long drive through South Africa to the Drakensberg Mountains and the well known Royal Natal National Park. These parks are known for the incredible panorama views and you can go on beautiful hikes here. One of the main attractions in this area is the Amphitheatre; a large, impressive rock formation that dominates the landscape. You'll spend the night at the park's campsite. Be sure to stock up on supplies before settling in for the evening since there aren't many stores in the area.

This morning you'll have time for a long breakfast and afterwards clean your camping equipment. When you're done you'll take down your tent for one last time and then you'll drive the last leg of your driving South Africa tour towards Johannesburg and the rental office. Be sure to be here before 16.00 in order to drop off your 4X4 during opening hours. A transfer will take you to the airport and you'll have some time to freshen up and have something to eat. From Johannesburg, you'll either fly home or continue with your South Africa holiday.