With your GPS in hand and your vehicle ready for the journey, there’s no place like South Africa for pushing the 4×4 and testing its capabilities. Of course, at the same time you get to enjoy the astonishing glory of nature. New 4×4 adventures in South Africa have been emerging with a more streamlined marketing strategy which targets specific groups. It’s become so popular because of the flexibility and cost of going on a 4×4 adventure. There is no need to make a hotel reservation, worry about getting to a restaurant before it closes, or be confined to “following the leader.” You can simply leave at the same time as the rest in the group and agree to meet at a certain destination point on a specific time. Obviously keeping communication lines open is imperative because of the need to establish a buddy system, and, in lieu of a map, buy a GPS instead.
A 4×4 adventure is simply taking off on a planned route with your 4WD, rented or owned. It’s the great exploration that only the southern African region can offer. Lucky residents and locals get to experience rough and tough camping anytime that will make a weekend trip to other famous conservation areas seem like day care. Although the best month for a 4×4 adventure would be in February, the months of March and November are also ideal if you want to visit the coastal areas. For inland 4WD adventures, pick the months of October, August, and May. Are you ready?
The Amam Dune Trail
The Amam Dune Trail is located in Springbok in the Northern Cape. The nights are glorious with clear skies and an abundance of bright stars to keep you company. The red sand is famous in this part of South Africa and you get incredible views of the Amam Mountains. It’s a desert experience that’s been graded a level 3 4×4 route. This means you won’t experience extreme conditions but your driving skills for travelling over sandy dunes will be tested considerably.
The 4×4 Girl Club Adventure
This 4WD adventure is held in Gauteng, Johannesburg and is exclusive to females only. It is a club which is run by women and puts them behind the wheel of a 4×4. Aside from the actual adventure, the women on this run get to train or bond as only women can do. It could be done by hiring a guide or joining the club. There are even corporate bookings for this kind of 4×4 adventures with two or more teams racing to the finish line, so to speak.
River 4×4 Adventure
How about a river 4WD adventure in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga? Your main obstacles would be mud, bush tunnels, water, and rocks. It is a trail that is on almost all experienced 4×4 drivers lists, and highly recommended for novice drivers. The difficulty level is pretty low and the risks are minimal with proper precaution. In short, it’s not an extreme adventure but you will need some experience driving a 4×4 on rough terrain. At the very least, you have to be with an experienced 4×4 driver.
Additionally, you get thrills from being outdoors and driving through a winding tunnel. You will pass through the forest and encounter challenging trails like the Croc Crossing and a river run. If somewhere along the way, you want to take a breather, the trail has convenient detours with luxurious accommodations aside from your 4×4 camper.