Kruger 4x4 Trails
Self-drive offroad trails are now available in two "flavours" in the Kruger. A four night, five day expedition resembles an extended, motorised version of the Wilderness Trails; shorter trails are also available which may be completed in a day.
Both types of trail have the advantage of granting you access to parts of the Park that are not accessible in any other fashion. You do, however, need to have your own vehicle to participate. Note that car hire companies in the vicinity of the Kruger have been discouraged from renting these out in order to minimise the chances of tourists going off on unsanctioned offroad experiences! (Try the bigger Avis outlets such as at KMI Airport or Johannesburg for your best chance of renting.
Day trails
The four day trails, which all take between four and five hours to complete, are the Northern Plains Adventure Trail north of Shingwedzi, the Nonokani Adventure Trail between Phalaborwa and Letaba, the Mananga Adventure Trail east of Satara, and the Madlabantu Adventure Trail near Pretoriuskop.
These routes were carefully chosen from the existing range of firebreak and other management roads and comply with the Park's Recreation Opportunity Zoning (ROZ) Plan. The ROZ Plan is a systematic mapping of man’s activities in the KNP designed to keep wilderness areas intact but to identify and develop opportunities for tourism in footprints already exploited by KNP operations.
Routes take guests as close as possible to the different wilderness areas in the KNP and were carefully chosen to bring out the uniqueness of the different landscapes and associated fauna and flora.
They are not intended to “test” a 4x4 vehicle but only these vehicles will be allowed on the routes so that the environmental impacts are reduced. The trails also pass through riverbeds and dongas.
As the adventure trails are not gravelled, they will be closed after rains to give an opportunity to dry completely. Therefore there are no advanced bookings and clients with 4x4 vehicles are only able to book a trail on the morning they intend to use it.
To further manage the environmental impact of the trail, only six vehicles will be allowed on each trail per day and it is advised to link up with at least one other vehicle before going on the trail. Trails are self-drive but, although a route map is provided, it is advised that drivers bring their GPS.
Bookings can be made as follows:
- Northern Plains Trail: reserved from Shingwedzi Camp;
- Nonokani Trail: reserved from Phalaborwa Gate;
- Mananga Trail: reserved from Satara Camp; and
- Madlabantu Trail: reserved from Pretoriuskop Camp.
Lebombo Eco-Trail
This four-night 4x4 trail ranks as Southern Africa's finest due to the diversity of the fauna and flora encountered en route. It is ** EXTREMELY POPULAR ** and usually fully-booked a year in advance, so make your plans early. You have been warned!
You start off by driving to the Park's eastern boundary where you will have a magnificent view of the Crocodile and Komati rivers, meeting at the border of South Africa and Mozambique.
From there it is up a steep hill and across to Lower Sabie along the eastern boundary. Some of the trail runs along the eastern boundary, but this does not deter from the beautiful scenery of wide, open spaces, bushveld on both sides and the most magnificent baobab trees.
Just east of Lower Sabie is the first of four unfenced camping sites, each with its own unique and natural feel. Each has its own unique bush character as they have been left as undisturbed as possible.
The departure time from each site varies with the season but will be no later than 07h00 in the morning. Each day is filled with a variety of experiences - from seeing different animal spoor, game, plant species and birds to dense bush. It ends with the green, "fairytale" scene at Pafuri picnic spot.
The trail is quite exceptional, starting where two countries meet and ending at the joining of a third (South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique). This "meeting place" takes part in the famous Crooks' Corner area in the north.
The trail is extremely popular and must be booked in advance. Covering in excess of 500km, it departs from Crocodile Bridge every Sunday and ends at the Pafuri Picnic Site in the North on Thursdays.
Clients are required to drive their own vehicles, cater for themselves and to carry their own equipment. A maximum of 4 persons per vehicle is allowed.
Only 5 vehicles are allowed on a trail at one time to ensure that the environment is not unduly affected and to afford groups some exclusivity.
A ranger leads the convoy in their own vehicle and accompanies each group. Regular stops are made to enjoy the environment and share special experiences. In addition to ensuring safety, visitors will benefit from the rangers' interpretative skills and knowledge of geology, biology, botany and historical and cultural insight.
Three restcamps are visited whilst driving up North to refuel, replenish food supplies and to allow tourist the opportunity to shower. These stops at Lower Sabie, Olifants and Shingwedzi also offer the opportunity to buy extra supplies.