What type of car for a trip to South Africa with 5 people?

Hi there,

It all depends on the build of the 5 passengers.

An L-sized SUV should be enough if all 5 have a normal BMI and you're not bringing your whole house with you on the trip.

For rental companies, the best thing to do is check recent reviews on Google Maps, for example. (Look for rental companies with lots of reviews, paying special attention to the negative ones)

Hello, What a beautiful itinerary! Indeed, depending on your build... 4x4 or not? Marakele suffered from the rains this spring. It depends on how much time you spend there and what you want to do. Kruger: no problem, same for Drakensberg and St Lucia (if you avoid the rough tracks). Ground clearance is the key word here. In a sub-2x4, you’ll be higher up to see the animals and get over a few tricky ruts.

5 people! Watch out for luggage—it’ll depend on how many women are in the car! Just kidding! Seriously, Trunks are always too small, and it becomes impossible to stash your stuff. Buy a cover! Think about swapping people in the “shotgun seat” so everyone gets a better view.

Be careful—you’ll be covering around 4,000 km. South Africans drive fast, even with all the speed cameras and traffic-calming measures. The risk is higher on the road than in a park. In short, Choosing the right car isn’t trivial—you don’t want it to turn into a chore.

For me, A HiLux 2x4 seems like a good choice (or equivalent). The Haval, which is increasingly offered, is just for luggage. But it all depends on the length of your stay, the number of women (I’m kidding again), everyone’s luggage, whether you bring a cooler, charcoal, etc.

Below that, I wouldn’t recommend it. Above that would be ideal, but you’ll have to spend more.

I’ve dealt with Aroundaboutcars several times. I was happy with them, and it’ll give you a price benchmark.

Watch out: Don’t hesitate on insurance, remembering that full coverage doesn’t exist in South Africa! You need a credit card, not a debit card. It’s written on it. An international driver’s permit is theoretically required. A fine that isn’t paid at the local police station is a scam.

There you go!

Hi there, and thanks for your reply. Yeah, luggage is definitely the issue. Personally, I always try to pack as light as possible, but I still end up having to buy 2 or 3 things once we’re there, lol. My husband and I have been to South Africa before—we did the southern part (Cape Town, Addo Elephant Park, etc.). But this time, we’re traveling with our son, his wife, and our 11-year-old granddaughter (who’s already asking if she can go shopping... Adolescence starts early these days...). For the cooler, should I pick one up at a SPAR, or should I bring our own from Pic..d.? I’d spotted the SUV you recommended, but I was worried it might be a tight fit. Otherwise, the Toyota Hilux with a canopy looks good. Just need to know if the trunk locks securely. We’re planning 20 days there and around 3,500 km. Thanks again for your reply!

For the cooler, I’ll find one at a SPAR?

Yes, you’ll find them there.

As mentioned before, Cooler available on site. Note that You can do laundry in some Kruger camps if you have five-rand coins (washing and drying). Zou, those who aren’t well-behaved get laundry duty! Oh well! Same in St Lucia via your host or yourself. The Hilux canopy doesn’t close properly, still. Bring that famous blanket to keep out the bush dust! Also, but I’m digressing here, Buy windshield washer fluid and Swiffers for the dust in the car… you’ll see, it’s not as silly as it sounds. I’ll be there in October: Marakele, Mapungubwe west section (there can be lions). KNP from north to south with a civilization break on the Panorama Route (not for me, but for those I pick up at Hoedspruit Airport before heading to the southern KNP). Break at Hlane, then northern Maputaland and St Lucia to finish up before flying home after a month via Richards Bay Airport. You’ll tell me about Marakele—I only stopped by quickly a loooong time ago.

The Hilux doesn’t close properly. Does that mean it’s riskier for luggage in the trunk than another car? I’m not paranoid (otherwise I wouldn’t leave the house...), just being cautious.

For those undecided about Marakele, my husband is looking at Hluhluwe Park instead. Have you been there?

I’ve traveled 25 times, including quite a few with a canopy that doesn’t close properly. Nothing’s ever happened to me! This year, I’m heading back with a kind of Hilux whose canopy won’t close properly either. Marakele: I’ve wanted to go several times, but it just never worked out—last time was 15 years ago, give or take. Hluhluwe Yes for the rhinos! The Hluhluwe section with Hilltop is less wild, more open. The Umfolozi part is the opposite—denser forest. Hilltop is the main camp. Good. I stayed at Nselweni. Great. Very remote but not excessively so. Really well set up. With a bushpig that crashes the braai. The logic: If I understood your route correctly: Joburg Drakensberg Hluhluwe St Lucia KNP Joburg Makes more sense than going via Marakele.

Between St Lucia and Blyde River Canyon (KNP), what do you drive through?

Sorry, but what does "knp" mean?

Joburg, Drakensberg, St Lucia, Hluhluwe, Blyde, Kruger, Marakele or Mapungubwe, then back to Joburg. Have you heard of Mapungubwe? Is it worth it?

The Hilux with a canopy—we all agree the trunk locks, right?

KNP = Kruger National Park Mapungubwe, yes for the eastern part Check out my travel journals‚