The first motorised eco-trail, a wilderness experience on wheels along the eastern boundary of the Kruger National Park, has been given the green light by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to run as a permanent activity in the Kruger National Park. It is rated as the best eco-trail in Southern Africa due to the diversity of the fauna and flora encountered en route. As the route runs along the Eastern boundary of the park on a gravel road, only 4x4 vehicles are permitted with possibly an off road trailer.

This popular 4x4 route covers a distance of over 500km. It departs from Crocodile Bridge every Sunday and ends at the Pafuri Picnic Site in the North on Thursdays. Clients are required to drive their own vehicles, cater for themselves and to carry their own equipment. The cost of R3500,00 per vehicle, with a maximum of 4 persons per vehicle, covers a period of 4 nights and 5 days. This cost includes entrance to the park for the vehicle and for up to 4 occupants, but does not include trailers.

Only 5 vehicles are allowed on a trail at one time to ensure that the environment is not unduly affected and to afford groups some exclusivity. A park's ranger, who leads the convoy in his own vehicle, accompanies each group. Regular stops are made by the park's ranger to interpret aspects within the environment or to share special experiences. Three camps are visited whilst driving up North to refuel, replenish food supplies and to allow tourist the opportunity to shower.

Getaway Tours and Safaris have been identified as an outfitter who could supply tourists with a little more comfort by driving out ahead, pitching camp and providing meals.

Five four-wheel drive vehicles will be allowed to participate at a time with up to four participants per vehicle. Each vehicle must be fully equipped with tent, water containers, gas bottles, cooking equipment etc. This is a self-catering activity, but three camps are visited en route north for fuel, water and showers. These stops at Lower Sabie, Olifants and Shingwedzi will also offer the opportunity to buy any extra supplies. A highly experienced trail leader will accompany trail-goers for the duration of the trail, offering safety and an unparalleled bush interpretation that covers geology, biology, botany as well as historical and cultural information. Booking and Tariff

If any accommodation is required before or after the trail, please make a separate reservation. Bookings can be made through the SANP central booking office in Pretoria, the reservations office in Cape Town and the reservations office in Skukuza. The tariff for the trail is R3 500,00 for 4 persons or less. No persons under 12 Starting and Ending of Trail The trail starts at Crocodile Bridge every Sunday and ends at Pafuri on Thursday at about 13:00. Please report promptly at 09:00 as the trail leaves shortly after the briefing. Please heck that the vehicles are ready for the trip, filled with fuel and trail-goers are present for a short debriefing from the trail leader. Delayed departure is not condoned.Route

You start off by driving to the eastern boundary where you will have a magnificent view of the Crocodile and Komati rivers, meeting at the border of South Africa and Mozambique. From there it is up a steep hill and across to Lower Sabie along the eastern boundary. Some of the trail runs along the eastern boundary, but this does not deter from the beautiful scenery of wide, open spaces, bushveld on both sides and the most magnificent baobab trees. Just east of Lower Sabie is the first of four unfenced camping sites, each with its own unique and natural feel. Two Enviro-loos (mobile toilets with no chemical component) are provided at each of these, one for ladies and one for gents. Each site has its own unique bush character as they have been left as undisturbed as possible.