South Africa has experienced remarkable growth in the tourism in recent years, with millions of travellers ready to explore by road. Patricia de Lille, South Africa's Minister of Tourism, reported 2.4 million international arrivals between January and March 2024 alone, an increase of 15.4% over the same period last year. The numbers are rising: together with Kenya and Tanzania, the so-called ‘big three', the continent's southernmost country drives about 68% of all tourist interest in African safaris.
It is a unique experience devoted to adventure, offering the possibility of enjoying absolute freedom in the exploration of parks and reserves, following one's own pace and stopping to observe nature without any constraints, but of course even here, on South African roads, utmost care is needed.
Where to go: the parks
South Africa boasts numerous national parks that can be travelled independently. One of the most famous is the Kruger National Park, one of the largest and oldest reserves in the world. Within it, the main roads are paved, but many of the secondary roads leading to the more remote areas are unpaved: having the right equipment is essential.
More desert-like, on the other hand, is the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which crosses Namibia, Botswana and South Africa and is characterised by red sand dunes and paths that may challenge the traveller. In both cases, the adventure will be unforgettable: the country has 297 species of mammals, 849 species of birds and more than 20,000 species of vascular plants, and it is possible to meet the ‘big five': the lion, rhinoceros, elephant, black buffalo and leopard.
But how best to experience a do-it-yourself safari?
Choosing the right vehicle
To go on safari independently, one of the main choices is a suitable vehicle. Terrain conditions in South Africa's national parks varies widely, from paved roads to dirt tracks, from sandy paths to rocky sections. The ideal choice is a 4X4, which provides better grip and stability on difficult terrain. In addition to four-wheel drive, tyres are obviously just as crucial. You need robust and reliable all-terrain tyres that can cope with the toughest and roughest roads, such as the Pirelli Scorpion ATR or the Scorpion All Terrain Plus. These tyres have good tread depth and help the traveller prevent damage and ensure grip on slippery surfaces. Able to withstand the harshest shocks on uneven surfaces, these tyres also perform in the most severe conditions: rocks, snow, mud, grass and sand.
What to bring with you
Good equipment can make all the difference in the event of problems. It is advisable to have a puncture repair kit, a compressor to inflate the tyres and, of course, a spare tyre in good condition. Many travellers overlook the importance of checking this last point before departure, but it is necessary to ensure that the wheel is well inflated and intact. Last and most essential is a sturdy jack, along with a spanner to facilitate the change.
A not inconsiderable accessory is a pressure gauge to check wheel pressure. On long journeys through parks, where you drive for many hours, it is easy for tyres to lose pressure, and monitoring it helps prevent wear, or worse, punctures.
Following a few recommendations can make all the difference.
● tyre check - it is essential to make sure the tyres are in good condition
● tyre-terrain equation - sandy roads always require a slight drop in pressure, whereas rockier sections require the pressure to be kept high
● toolbox - carry all useful tools and equipment for any repairs or tyre changes
● caution - just as in any other situation, driving with the utmost caution is a diktat in South Africa.
