SANParks.org Forums

There was a thread about the best car for Kruger, but focussed more on giving advice to foreigners visiting our parks.

So what's your present (or past or first) Kruger vehicle?

My first trip was in Chev Impala. Mum and dad in front and 4 kids at the back. And it was a big fight as to who could sit next to a window. We fought so much that dad stopped at Tshokwane, ordered us all out and the drove off to Satara, only to turn back after 5 minutes. We got such a skrik that we kept quiet the rest of the trip.

Then it was on to the trusted old Kombies, then a Venture, which I still have, but my present vehicle is a double cab 4X4

Let's hear from you all.

I will have to dig deep into the recesses of the minimal grey matter for this topic.
First visit the vehicle was a VW beetle from there it was followed by an opel kadette, a passat station wagon, Hyundai Sonata and for the last 12 years a 4 x 4 double cab

In all cases I was/am the queen bee and sit in the font seat

The back seat of the double cab has been removed but if needed I can either re-install the original seat or a single or two bucket seats - depending on number of people travelling with us.

I prefer a petrol and not a diesel engine. Some diesels make such a noise, that you can't hear the sounds of nature.

Since I've started going on my own (without parents), I usually go in a VW 2.1l Microbus which is great. My trips this year have been in a LandCruiser VX Limited (daddy's) and in my VW Golf 4, which wasn't really a problem.

It might be a medium term goal of mine to get a double cab and fit it out for some overlanding.

My 1st trip was in a Taunus Station wagon, the a big gas guzzler Chev. Then my dad had a succession of Mercedes benz
Our current vehicle is a Mecedes ML350, but I am not fussy, as long as I can be there any vehicle will do

My very 1st vehicle was Meraai (a '88 Mazda Rustler 1400).

After that, we normally drove with my Polo Classic. Since then I bought a D/Cab, and have to say the best of the lot so far. Since I enjoy driving on the dirt roads, rattles become a problem in a car. I just felt that the bakkie handles it better. (It could also be that I longed for my 1st love Meraai ).

I think my first visit to KNP was in my uncle's Chev C10 pick-up truck.

But the vehicle and visit I remember best, was in April 1987. We were married for just 4 months and my dream car at that stage was a Mercedes 450 SLC. Low, V8, two seater. And when I got the opportunity to borrow a 450 SLC and take the most beautiful woman in the world to the most beautiful place on earth in my dream car, I jumped at it. (But I did not tell her about the car).

Well, we decided that I would pick her up from her office where she worked at 13:00 and drive to Lydenburg from where we would go to KNP the next day. That is when the fun started - when my wife and co-workers got out of the building, she walked straight past me. Not even looking at this beautiful machine and the handsome guy behind the steering wheel! Eventually I got out and called her. Of course everybody then knew it was not my car ....

The trip to Lydenburg was great: V8 power and speed control...

Once in Kruger the fun really started: we where in the Letaba area and the car was simply to low to allow us to see anything except dung beetles. We even had to look UP at impala!!

But: I was in Kruger, in my dream car , with the lady of my dreams.

Today we use our family sedan (currently an Audi A6 TDi) to go to the place that is still the most beautiful. And the most beautiful woman in the world is still by my side.

SOs first visit was in a very very old big chev. He went in 1947 with his aunts and brother and a friend.. He had a brownie camera and he still has all this photos . lions are just dots. , I went first time in the 50,s in a school bus.. then when we married in the 70,s It was aTriumph 2000, and oh my mini Worsley.. once or twice to save petrol Then a couple of BMWs and finally Vench which has been taking us around SA and Namibia for 18 years now. .

For the last 30 years we have been going to Kruger in the usual family sedans ...Audi, Toyota etc but for the last 5 years we have had a Honda CRV which is really great.

Actually any car will do as long as it gets you there!

My first trip was with my parents in their 1949 Pontiac ( I was still a very small boy then). Next time was in a Ranger coupe', then a succession of saloons - Peugeot, Cortina S/W, Sierra Sedan and S/Wagon, Sierra Wagon again, Telstar, then 2x Sani's, and the last trip in an Xtrail. As we always go/went in winter, height has never really been a problem except in the south of the park. But north of the Sabie, any vehicle in fine.

As long as one can get there

It's a long and hard drive to KNP and back , but in



And yes , that is the Pafuri picnic spot . Only six weeks to go

Nissan 1400, Nissan Hardbody, alot of others, Jeep Cherokee, Landy.

But with the lotsa others, a ford Escourt 1300 of 1972 vintage, and all of them was great in Kruger.

My father was a Ford man. So as a youngster we went in the Ford Zephyr six. We were a family of 7...pa, ma and 5 kids sitting in the back!

Later on, after meeting my SO, Elzet, I bought a Toyota Corolla Sprinter (awesome car) and introduced her to KNP. From there it was only VW Jettas for me.

Very good thread, Rooies!

VW kombi has always been perfect!

You are high and can walk around a bit, and space is incredible!

(Not the new-fangled ones... )

We've had them in the family since I was born!

My first trip was with my folks in the early 80's in a Mitsubishi Colt Galant. Last year I decided to take my family for our first "proper" holiday and we went in my BMW 325i auto.

Recently got a Mitsubishi Outlander so looking forward to our next trip in 8 weeks time. But can't wait that long so off to MZNP tomorrow.