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Sparrow, neither do I: running engines at sightings are indeed irritating and I often ask the offending driver to switch his or her engine off. 80% of them do; the other 20% are seldom patient enough to stay around long and drive off after a few minutes.

Sparrow -I am just thankful for the aircon on the way to KNP - strictly on the way there and back. In KNP I believe in no aircon, radio, cellphones, etc. I drive with my windows wide open (unless I need to close them in a hurry for safety ie baboons etc) and enjoy the sounds and smells

Hi All,

First Trip, 1996 Dec, Dad driving Isuzu 230 with Mum in front. Brother planned all routes.
Brother and me in back with luggage and cameras. Comms between from and back via kiddies walkie talkies ( worked very well and I still have them).

July 2008, Toyota Fortuner D4D me(Driving) in front with camera on passenger seat. Mum and Brother in back passenger seat with video cam.
Next trip with same car, removing passenger seat to make space for cameras and electronics!

I have not choice... I have to rent
Once a Mitsibishi outland, then a Atos (the gears go out alone in the dirty roads), then a Honda CRV (to much luxury... but the best one and I have try(ed) all the options )
and in Kgalagadi (4x) a Mahindra, some nice souvenirs and Toyota Hilux double cab
for the next, in February, a Terios (less expensive)... I hope it will be a good choice and Hilux (4x4 for Kgalagadi)
like a lot, no need air con, all the windows open (one after one... I'm alone and I have a lot to controle )

COS, A-M ...

Thanks OWN!

We found a big advantage to use a vehicle that has an elavated seating position, as this gives a nice comanding view over the long grass. The VW Microbus 2.3 we found had a very noisey radiator fan that even came on once the engine was switched off - bad for veiwing and especially if you are taking a video.

The VW Touran 2.0TDI was also great for space and comfort, the diesel engine not being too noisey while offering superb fuel economy. It did not have the noisey radiator fan that the Microbus has.

The BMW X5, 4.8i is very good and can creep up to animals quietly with only a purr from it's big engine. We normally have the windows open on tar roads with A/c off, but the front seats benefit from having heating/cooling built into the seats - which is great . Fuel consumption is horrible.

Nice review of some top vehicles, Martial. So, it sounds like the VW beats this trio.

Volkswagens are great

Our first trip to the KNP as a kid was in a bright yellow Peugeot Super 7. Thankfully those days have past. We now drive an Isuzu double cab

Another winner, which I used to do when I had my first Citigolf, was to remove the rear seat entirely.

This leaves a "panel van" effect, and someone can sit in the back on a low beach chair, giving excellent view and lots of space!

What a great idea, RP.

We drive our little Hyundai Atos

As some of you know, we are only here for 6 months of the year, and find it quite adequate other than for Kruger. We used to hire a bigger vehicle for park trips, but with rising accommodation costs in the park and a weak pound, we can't do that anymore!!

Our Vechicle is the Toyota Hilux we drive with our windows open (except for when there are monkeys in sight), yellow ribbon on the drivers mirror and quite often caravan in tow

When I went with my dad, having flown up to meet him in Benoni, we took his Camry for years, until he got an old Merc.

The Camry was 'tusk' in colour and seemed to attract unwanted close eles.