Take rugged mountains, endless flatlands and undulating dunes. Add to this diverse scenery, stunning plantlife and plentiful game and you have a recipe that will please all 4x4 eco-adventurers. But what really separates the trails of the Northern Cape from the rest is the seemingly infinite open spaces, mostly devoid of people.
Egerton Trail Travel vast open plains and absorb the unique rugged beauty of the Northern Cape by exploring 50km of sand, rocky hills and dongas. Tel 053 831 2659 / 082 493 4756.
Nossob 4x4 Route (Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park), a circular 200km long trail in the park offering exhilarating dune driving and scenic views. Tel 012 428 9111. Witsand Has two routes over dunes and mountains. Tel 053 313 1061/2.
Namaqua Trail Probably the longest 4x4 trail in South Africa. Tel 027 718 2986.
Richtersveld Route (|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park) Breathtakingly beautiful with a new scene meeting the eye at every turn. Tel 012 428 9111.
Riemvasmaak Trails Three routes covering approximately 160km of deep sand to steep and very rough tracks, deep dongas and rocky plateaus. Tel 054 431 0945.
Augrabies Park Takes trailists through surrealistic moonscapes. Tel 054 452 9200.
Khamkirri Has trails of varying difficulty. Tel 054 451 0325 / 082 926 0055.
Banksgate Trail Offers 6 trails varying in distance between 10km and 66km. Tel 02062 ask for 1930.
De Postjes Trail A challenging route, preferably for experienced drivers, situated in the Nuweveld Mountains. Tel 023 741 1839.
Kalahari Trail In the Mier area. Tel 054902 ask for Mier 19.
Diamond Coast Trail On the West Coast explores dunes, shipwrecks and diamond mines. Tel 027 807 2999.
Cobussegat Trail In the Namakwa District. Tel 027 341 2326 / 083 303 5263.
Toekoms Trail In the Namakwa District. Tel 027 341 2201 / 083 338 3048. For further information or to obtain a brochure on 4x4 trails in the Northern Cape, contact the Northern Cape Tourism Authority, tel 053 832 2657 or the respective National Park.
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