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Start your South Africa Self Drive 4×4 Holiday
Welcome to the beating heart of southern Africa: a melting pot of cultures and one of the most naturally spectacular places in the world.
Our Recommended Vehicles for South Africa
Toyota Hilux 2.4TD 4×4 Camp
A reliable and capable 4×4 vehicle that offers excellent fuel consumption and good off road performance. Good ride height ideal for game viewing. Equipped with a roof top tent.
Toyota Landcruiser 79 S/W 4×4 Camp
The Toyota Landcruiser is a very robust, reliable and exceptionally capable 4WD vehicle. A highly respected safari vehicle in Africa, with no electronics and ideal for remote area travel.
Nissan Double Cab 4×4 MDE
This is one of Africas most reliable pickup trucks, with the ruggedness to take on any terrain.
Perfect for a self-drive safari. This camping equipped double cab pickup can seat up to 5 adult passengers. Its perfect for exploring the ‘world in one country’ that is South Africa.
Ford Ranger D/Cab 4×4 Bushcamper
Superbly compact 4×4 camper suitable for up to 4 adults. Fully equipped with camping equipment. This is the vehicle you want on your African 4×4 adventure.
South Africa Travel Advice
Introduction
South Africa could very well be one of the best countries in Africa for first class road travel. However, you can experience so much more if you head off the beaten track and go on a self-drive 4×4 adventure. Think game reserves, mountain passes, and more!
South Africa’s Official Languages
South Africa has 11 official languages, but English is the primary language when it comes to urban areas, government, and the media. The most spoken home languages are IsiZulu, isiXhosa, and Afrikaans.
South Africa’s Currency
The currency used in South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR).
Best Time to Visit South Africa
If you wish to go on a 4×4 safari in South Africa, the winter months offer better wildlife viewing opportunities. In all regions except the southern Cape, it’s also the dry season, meaning fewer muddy roads.
However, summer in Cape Town is unbeatable thanks to the world-class beaches and dry, hot weather.
Where to Stay in South Africa
Durban
The province of KwaZulu-Natal is well known for its untouched beauty and abundance of nature and 4×4 trails within close proximity to urban areas. Some of the 4×4 trails in the province include Ithala Game Reserve 4×4 Trails, the 4×4 trail at Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Stoney Ridge, and Killarney 4×4 Trails.
Cape Town
Cape Town’s proximity to the mountains makes 4x4ing a very real possibility. Some top options include the Atlantis Dunes, Biedouw Valley, Bushman’s Cave, and Gecko Rock.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is South Africa’s biggest urban area. It’s no surprise, then, that many residents yearn for the outdoors, making 4x4ing a popular activity. You can find trails at Sandwani Game Lodge, Protea 4×4 Adventures, Bass Lake Adventures 4×4 Trails, Hennops River, and Kungwini 4×4 Trail. Some of these areas also have accommodation facilities.
Around South Africa
South Africa is blessed with a world of nature within close proximity to urban areas. This makes going on a 4×4 adventure easy. Many of the urban areas have man made 4×4 trails, so adventure and freedom are literally minutes away. South Africa boasts national parks and game reserves in abundance, and a 4×4 will enable you to explore them all.
Make sure you visit popular attractions like Kruger National Park, the Garden Route, and KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast.
What to Pack
This is a difficult question to answer. South Africa’s climate varies dramatically depending on where you go, ranging from bitter winters in the Drakensberg to sweltering summers in the Northern Cape. With that in mind, it’s best to pack for every eventuality. We highly recommend packing insect repellant, a waterproof jacket, and plenty of high SPF sunblock.