On 4×4 camping adventure in Limpopo

Your trip start
in Johannesburg.

You stay one night in Outlook Lodge, based on bed an breakfast. This lodge is not far from the airport and is the ideal place to recover after a long flight.

Today you pick up your 4 × 4 camper at the camper depot in Johannesburg where you will receive an explanation and instruction about your vehicle. Take plenty of time to get everything explained.

Then you set off. First stop at a supermarket! We recommend that you stop at the Menlyn Shopping Center in Pretoria, as this mall is on your route. Stock up for at least the first six days! In the coming days there will no longer be an opportunity to replenish stocks.

After you have done your shopping, drive north on the N1. Your first night is in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve, a beautiful nature reserve with ‘wetlands’, popular because of the many birds that live here.But there are also enough antelope species here. Last night, you are using your vehicle’s camping facilities for the first time.

The route to Mafefe Camp first leads you past the Olifants River Valley and through beautiful landscapes. Suddenly, about 40 km before the camp, the road makes a sharp turn and you go onto the real 4×4 track! You drive from the valley to the top of the Wolkberg Mountains. Eventually the road flattens when you reach the top.Your overnight stay, Mafefe Camp, is located here.

The camp has 5 small rondavels with a shared bathroom and kitchen. Together with your guide you make plans for tomorrow.

Distance: 430 km, 6.5 hours’ drive.

Letaba Ranch is a Big Five reserve, located next to the famous Kruger National Park. The fences between the parks have been removed, so the animals can walk back and forth freely. The first place to stay is usually at a water hole. It is important to arrive here as early as possible so that there is enough time to set up the camp.

You stay in the reserve. Your route and overnight places are determined by the activity of the animals. Is there a lot of activity at the water hole? Then you stay here to enjoy it.You only pack when the animals move on. There are various routes that you can drive and range from 20 km to 100 km

Distance: 50-100 km, 1-4 hours (depending on where the game is located).

Today you will see more of Letaba and of the Limpopo countryside. You drive north to Makuya Reserve, so you are on time to find a nice place to stay. If you have run out of supplies, you can drive a route that leads through the town of Giyani. You can do your shopping here.

Makuya is a small, but mountainous reserve with rugged, rocky tracks. This means that nobody drives from A to B quickly here. However, you are driving through a beautiful landscape and one of today’s highlights is ‘World’s View’!

Today you say goodbye to your guide and continue on your own. You drive to the viewpoint of Luvuvhu Gorge. After nights of wild camping there is now a wonderful night on the program in a room with freshly washed sheets and a private bathroom! If you arrive on time, you can take a guided walk. On hot days you can take a refreshing dip at the waterfall.

Distance 50-100 km, 1-4 hours (depending on the game)

Your next destination is a 330 km drive away. But the route goes mainly through paved roads. An easy ride compared to the past week!

Distance: 330 km, 4.5 hours (without shop stop)

Because it is only a 2.5 hour drive from Blouberg to Nthubu, you can relax in your camp in the morning and enjoy all the birds or take a guided walk to the top of the mountain.

After leaving the camp, you first drive west and then south to the Nthubu Reserve. Today’s camp is located in the Masebe Reserve, in the western part of the reserve. Here you can take a walk with the local guides to see the rock drawings of the San.

Distance: 120 km, 2.5 hours.

It is a 4-hour drive back to Johannesburg. You drive through the beautiful Waterberg region, so there is plenty to see and admire along the way. After you have arrived at the airport, return your car and check in for your flight back to Amsterdam.

Nylsvley:
Camping in the roof tent of your vehicle.

Mafefe:
Accommodation

Bush camping:
You camp here in the wild, use the roof tent of your vehicle. There are no showers or toilets available and you use your own water supply. Your guide will of course assist you if you do not know the protocol in the bush well. However, you need to tidy up your belongings and leave the campsite tidy.

Mutale Falls:
Accommodation in safari tents with bed linen and a private bathroom.

Blouberg:
Accommodation in rondavels with bed linen and a bush shower (bucket).

Nthubu:
Accommodation in safari tents with bed linen and a bush shower (bucket).

De route:
the program and the route being driven is subject to change. It is checked every day whether the route can be driven. This depends on the weather, for example. If it has rained a lot, it may happen that another route has to be driven or that you have to spend the night somewhere else.

The guide: You will meet your guide on day 3 and follow him to Mafefe Camp. In the coming days you will follow your guide to your camps. He also stops at the aforementioned viewpoints and searches for the camping pitches. On day 8, your guide will guide you out of the Makuya Reserve and take you to the paved R55. Here you say goodbye to the guide again and continue your way.