The Mafunyane 4×4 Eco-Trail is a four-day, three-night guided adventure trail along the north-western section of Kruger National Park, between Phalaborwa gate and Punda Maria. 

  The trail covers a distance of approximately 290km, with all participants driving their own 4×4 vehicles, including all provisions for the four-day trip: camping gear, own water, firewood and food. A knowledgeable and professional SANParks guide leads the trail, providing all the route information and bush intel along the way.

  We departed Phalaborwa gate on a Thursday afternoon (the trail typically runs Thursday to Sunday) in the capable hands of SANParks guide Vanessa Strijdom. With 26 years of experience as a Kruger guide, it was a pleasure to be led by Vanessa.

  The road conditions after unseasonably late rain varied from reasonably good to sections with steep, badly eroded inclines, crossing of streams and rivers and slippery muddy sections. All vehicles handle this differently, and my short-wheel base Suzuki Jimny did well, while some of the bigger, higher clearance vehicles battled through the steep dongas. 

  Each of the overnight campsites has a  fireplace, enviro-friendly toilets and space for a shower to be strung up, with water heated over the fire.

  Below is a list of things to pack, some of which I did, some of which I didn’t (and realised why I should have).

  Fuel

  From reading the itinerary, I knew we were due to cover 290km, and figured bringing extra fuel would be an inconvenience. I totally underestimated how much driving in low range affects fuel consumption, and I didn’t take into account the fact that there would be a chance we would have to take some major detours. Rivers in flood and impassable sections of road meant we had to take the long way around on some days, and as the odometer racked up those extra kilometres and my fuel diminished, I wished that I had packed some extra fuel. That said, I have a relatively small petrol tank at 40l, so bigger cars with reserve tanks should be fine. In general though, it’s good 4×4 practice to have extra fuel on hand. Thankfully, there is an opportunity to refuel on the third day at Punda Maria and I made it just in time!

Groundsheet

  I forgot to pack a ground sheet and it was the item I wished for the most, after fuel. As is the case on any multi-day 4×4 trip, you pack up and move every day. This means a lot of packing and unpacking the car, and there is nothing worse than having to unpack items in your boot onto wet sand.