Self drive holidays are more than just a great way to save money but a scenic journey that allows you to experience the freedom of an open road whilst the wind gently blows through your hair, time to enjoy those long forgotten soundtracks, and unplanned stops that often turn out to be the highlight of your trip. The journey from Johannesburg to Berg en Dal is a pleasant five hour drive along the tarred and relatively flat N4 road.
If you are looking to break your journey from Johannesburg to the Kruger National Park then a great stop is the picturesque town of Dullstroom, where you can just sit back and relax or visit the nearby Dullstroom Bird of Prey & Rehabilitation Centre, Dimitrov Art Gallery, or Ama Poot Poot Hiking Trail in Uitvlugt.
Leaving the following day, you travel over the Long Tom Pass towards the Kruger National Park. This mountainous pass got its name from the Long Tom cannons used during the Anglo-Boer war. The drive is incredibly scenic and one can even enjoy some trout fishing in the dams or venture out on guided quad biking excursions.
The closest gate into the Kruger from Johannesburg is Malelane which offers convenient access to Berg en Dal Camp, which is one of the popular self-catering rest camps in the Kruger National Park. Berg en Dal boasts various accommodation options, including bungalows, guest houses, and camping sites for the more adventurous traveler.
You have the choice to self-drive the park or book guided game drives, bush walks, and visits to San rock paintings sites in the surrounding hills. The woodlands surrounding the camp attract a number of grazers, including rhino, kudu, impala, giraffe and elephant.
Leopard and wild dog are seen frequently around Berg en Dal Camp, as well as lions who love to hang out in the lower plains between Skukuza and Crocodile Bridge. This region is also great for bird watching with a variety of species found in close proximity of the camp.
Other attractions within easy reach of Berg en Dal include elephant interactions, the Panorama Route, tobogganing, hot air balloon rides, and the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Eden. Self drives allow you to make the most of your time and the opportunity to enjoy all that there is on offer.
