KUNGWINI 4X4

WHAT?

A 4x4 training academy, obstacle course, and mountainous eco trail.

WHY?

Very few 4x4 trails in South Africa offer an outdoor / off-road experience that’s as comprehensive as Kungwini. The trail was first established in 2010, and since then its owners (Hugo Prinsloo and Johan Klopper) have consistently improved upon and added to the trail’s diversity.

Kungwini currently has the following activities on offer:

• A 4x4 training academy with a vastly varied obstacle course

• A short off-road birding route (approximately 3km long)

• A 20km Eco Trail

• A 12-obstacle Academy Trail

• A 30-obstacle Advanced Trail

• A multi-day tour of the Soutpansberg mountains, and

• Ten campsites that each accommodate 6 vehicles

A special mention must be made of Kungwini’s obstacle course. Unlike many other courses that are often bulldozed into place, the course at Kungwini looks less like a quarry and more like a botanical garden.

When you arrive at Kungwini, you’ll be amazed at how ecologically designed the course is, and how meticulously maintained. Each twist and turn follows an environmental path that tentatively weaves between trees, around rocks, and through streams. The natural flow of the course makes it a relatively tight challenge, and a very practical place to learn how to line your vehicle up for each obstacle.     

WHEN?

The trail can be driven all year round and is not weather-dependent.

HOW?

Your vehicle will need to be low-range equipped for most of the activities at Kungwini, and should have a good measure of ground clearance.

Although the Eco Trail isn’t designed as a hardcore off-road route, softroaders with limited ground clearance and low-profile tyres will still bump, scratch and scrape their way through the trail; if you have a stock-standard softroader, it may be a good idea to avoid driving any of the routes. Alternatively, remove unnecessary parts (such as a running board) that may be snagged on the trail.

The route itself isn’t challenging, but there are a few narrow sections that squeeze between big boulders and around Basuto ruins that are up to 300 years old.

The purpose of the trail is not as much to test technical driving as it is about treading lightly and being aware of your vehicle’s environmental impact.

The advanced track is a different story. This route bobs in and out of a natural ravine and will require vehicles that are either fitted with diff-locks, or at the very least have above-average suspension travel and ground clearance.

WHERE?

While not discounting its abundant off-road offering and outdoor activity list, the best thing about Kungwini is quite possibly its location. Just north of Bronkhorstspruit dam, the trail is a mere 30 minutes drive from Pretoria.

PROVINCE

Gauteng

NEAREST TOWN

Bronkhorstspruit

TERRAIN TYPE

The obstacle course is mostly clay, but the Eco Trail has grass and rock

GUIDED / SELF DRIVE

Unguided

DISTANCE

The Eco Trail is approximately 20km long; the Bird Route is just 3km

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

The Eco Trail and Bird Route are mostly a 1 or 2: the obstacle course can vary from 2 to 4

SOFT-ROADER FRIENDLY

No

DIRECTIONS

From Pretoria, take the N4 towards Nelspruit and exit at the Bronkhorstspruit West off-ramp. At the end of the ramp, turn right towards Kempton Park. Then, turn left at the T-junction towards Bronkhorstspruit (R25). At the road marked Bronkhorstbaai / Kungwini, turn right. Follow the signs from there.

ACCOMMODATION

Camping − 10 areas cater for about 6 vehicles in the area.

OTHER THINGS TO DO

• Mountain biking
• Birding
• Visit ruins that are between 200 and 300 years old
• Take a 7-day (guided) tour into the Soutpansberg mountains

CONTACT

Hugo on 082 494 0950

Johan on 083 277 4648

Website: http://www.4x4kungwini.co.za