Best 4x4 trails within 3 hours of Johannesburg — complete ranked list for 2025
Went through last weekend in a Ford Ranger Raptor. Here is the full report.
The approach road is graded gravel for the first 47km then transitions to a proper 4x4 track. We had 3 vehicle in convoy which made recovery easy when we needed a second opinion on a tricky crossing. Total distance from the gate to our campsite was 34km and took 3 hours.
Camping: The campsite has basic pit toilets and a cold shower. Signal is MTN gets 2 bars at the high point.
Fuel: filled up in the last town before the turn-off. Diesel consumption was around 12L/100km on the technical sections — budget for higher than your tar road figure. We carried 35L spare in jerry cans.
The wildlife is reason enough to go back every year. Happy to answer any questions from people planning this route.
6 Replies
Nice one, riaan. Did you do the shortcut via the farm road? We skipped it last time and regretted it. Adding it to the plan for our next trip.
— rikus_vdberg
Good write-up. One thing to add from our trip there — the permit system has changed since the last reports I read. The gate closes 30 minutes earlier than the old signage says — check the current hours before you go.
Went through this one two seasons back and our experience was similar. The rocky section on the approach was also the part that got our attention. What tyre pressures were you running? We found 1.5bar front and rear worked well on that surface.
How was the fuel situation? We are planning this in a D-Max AT35 which drinks more than it should on technical terrain. Trying to figure out whether to carry extra diesel in jerry cans or whether the consumption was manageable.
How was the fuel situation? We are planning this in a Land Cruiser 200 which drinks more than it should on technical terrain. Trying to figure out whether to carry extra diesel in jerry cans or whether the consumption was manageable.
Nice one, riaan. Did you do the shortcut via the farm road? We skipped it last time and regretted it. Adding it to the plan for our next trip.
How was the fuel situation? We are planning this in a D-Max AT35 which drinks more than it should on technical terrain. Trying to figure out whether to carry extra diesel in jerry cans or whether the consumption was manageable.
— deon_kotze
How was the fuel situation? We are planning this in a D-Max AT35 which drinks more than it should on technical terrain. Trying to figure out whether to carry extra diesel in jerry cans or whether the consumption was manageable.