Adventure 4x4 Trails in Kruger National Park

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Adventure 4x4 Trails in Kruger National Park

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Owners of 4x4 vehicles will be able to enjoy a bit more of the Kruger National Park on four adventure trails situated in various areas of South Africa's most famous national park.

The four 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.

Routes on all four trails were carefully chosen from the existing range of firebreak and other management roads and comply with the Kruger National Park (KNP) plan 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 will be no advanced bookings and clients with 4x4 vehicles will only be able to book a trail on the morning that he or she intends to go on 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.

There are no facilities along the routes and guests are asked to make use of the ablution facilities at the nearest camp before they start the trail.

The trails are booked at the following gates/camps:
Northern Plains Trail: reserved from Shingwedzi Camp - +27 (0)13 735 6806/7
Nonokani Trail: reserved from Phalaborwa Gate - +27 (0)13 735 6509
Mananga Trail: reserved from Satara Camp - +27 (0)13 735 6306/7
Madlabantu Trail: reserved from Pretoriuskop Camp - +27 (0)13 735 5128/32

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Activities: 4 x 4 Adventure

Kruger National Park

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Question
Are there 4 to 5 day long trips available?
Answer
The following 5-day 4x4 trail in the Kruger Park can be done:
The Lebombo Eco-trail is a 5-day (4 night) outdoor adventure spanning a great part of the Kruger National Park. Called the “wilderness experience on wheels”, the Overland Trail follows the eastern boundary of the Kruger National Park along the Lebombo hills from the extreme South to the extreme North. Experienced, professional guides act as trail leaders and will interpret the various ecozones the trail crosses, at regular intervals.
Road conditions vary from reasonably good to a few places with steep inclines and muddy patches where guests are asked to engage in 4 x 4. Only 4 x 4 vehicles and only genuine off-road trailers or caravans are allowed.
The trail departs from Crocodile Bridge every Sunday and ends at Pafuri on a Thursday during the dry season from the 1st Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October, after which the rainy season normally commences. Only 5 vehicles plus the guide’s vehicle are allowed on the trail at any one time, with a maximum of 4 people per vehicle. (No children under 12 years unless arranged prior to departure).

Bookings can be made at central reservations on (012) 428 9111 or with Hester van der Berg on 012 426 5117. Please note that the route may be closed completely after heavy rains.

Posted by: Wikus Haasbroek