Northern Plains 4x4 Trail

Get off the beaten track and discover territories previously unknown. Discover an experience of unforgettable adventure as your skills with your 4x4 determine your success or failure. More than just seeing animals, it is a unique opportunity to utilise parts of the park that are rarely explored.

The Kruger National Park's Northern Plains 4x4 Trail starts about 30km north of Shingwedzi rest Camp on the H1-7, at the Babalala picnic site and heads eastwards into mopane scrubveld, on sometimes slippery clays, before turning north through sandveld and into the baobab country of the Pafuri. The trail meets the main tar road at Baobab Hill.

The Northern Plains Trail is a gentle 48km cruise, with the focus on game viewing (look out for Roan antelope) and seeing the Kruger in a different way. The minimum time for this easy route is four hours and is not guided.

With a limit of six vehicles per day, this is an excellent opportunity to acquaint yourself with the wild. The trail gives you an opportunity to get off the regular tourist roads and have a real wilderness experience of the Park. It is designed as a unique adventure experience to add value to your stay in the Kruger National Park. Although not so much challenging, a 4x4 vehicle is essential to minimize environmental damage. There are four adventure trails in the Kruger National Park.

The Northern Plains Trail is a gentle 48km cruise in The Kruger National Park, 33km north of Shingwedzi Restcamp.

The trail is self-drive and undertaken at your own risk, but a little common sense and preparation should keep you out of serious trouble. There are no facilities along the route and you should make sure that you bring out with you what you take in. You should take great care at all times, especially when alighting from your vehicle, and keep well away from animals.

The Northern Plains 4x4 Trail is regarded as easier than most, so serious offroad experience is not essential.

Rates available on enquiry. To self-drive the Northern Plains 4x4 Trail you will need to book at Shingwedzi reception on the morning of the trail.