Equipping a vehicle for overland travel is costly, so if you do not intend to use the vehicle regularly, or you are not yet sure if you would really enjoy this in the long term, you should consider renting a fully equipped 4WD vehicle for a once-off trip. By Karin Theron
There are many trustworthy companies with good experience offering this service. For some people it’s a really good option to fly to a tourist destination and rent a vehicle for their African safari.
If you want to visit national parks, it is advisable to make accommodation reservations prior to committing to hire a vehicle. Some parks are just so popular that you simply have to book months in advance. This is true about all the Botswana parks, Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, and the Kruger National Park in South Africa.
The Otter Trail is breathtakingly beautiful as it follows one of the most rugged and scenic coast lines of South Africa. The trail leads you through both fynbos and forest vegetation. When you walk in the open, the sea can be deafening at times, however, when you are in the forest, the surf is muted to a soft whisper by the trees and the cheerful singing of the birds…
The route is physically challenging, very challenging. You have to climb about a thousand steps, both up and down, and in many places you have to walk or climb over huge rocks. Carrying a backpack of 12 kg plus makes it all the more difficult. Continue reading All you need to know about the Otter Trail→
Driving into water without checking if it is safe to cross can get you into deep water AND deep trouble. It can leave you stranded and may even write off your vehicle’s engine. It’s prudent to avoid exposing your vehicle to all water as far as possible, but what do you do if you have to cross a river and then get stranded in the middle?
When you get to a water crossing, first look for any fresh tyre tracks exiting the crossing point as these will give you some indication that someone else made it across. Check them to try to assess if they belong to a vehicle similar to yours and not a tractor or Unimog! Continue reading How to handle water crossings→
