(REF 0086)
Escape Winter
A Bush & Beach Self-Drive Adventure Through KwaZulu-Natal
Winter in the Cape often means cold fronts, rain and grey skies — but along the northern coastline of KwaZulu-Natal, winter brings warm sunshine, mild temperatures and some of the best travel conditions of the year.
FROM
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8-Day Partially Equipped Suzuki Jimny Rental (Johannesburg or Durban pick-up)
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2 nights at Africamps Bonamanzi Game Reserve (Self-Catering)
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4 nights at Camp Gugs (All Inclusive)
- Escape the cold Cape winter for an 8-day bush and beach self-drive adventure along the warm KwaZulu-Natal coastline
- Collect your partially equipped Suzuki Jimny in Durban or Johannesburg and begin the journey north through Zululand and the KZN coast
- Spend 2 nights at Africamps Bonamanzi Game Reserve in a fully equipped glamping tent surrounded by bushveld and wildlife
- Enjoy easy access to the nearby Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve with the freedom to spend a full day self-driving one of South Africa’s oldest and most iconic wildlife reserves
- Continue north to Camp Gugs for 4 nights on one of the most remote and untouched sections of the KZN coastline
- Camp Gugs is only accessible by 4×4, making the Suzuki Jimny the perfect vehicle for the experience and part of the adventure itself
- Relax into barefoot coastal living with an all-inclusive stay including meals, selected drinks and scheduled activities
- Experience the camp’s strong focus on sustainability, locally sourced ingredients and community-based travel experiences
- Return south after a relaxed week combining wildlife, remote beaches and the freedom of self-drive travel in one unforgettable winter escape
Tour Highlights
Warm Winter Escape
Bush & Beach Combo
Experience two completely different sides of KwaZulu-Natal in one relaxed self-drive journey. Combine wildlife viewing and bushveld landscapes at Bonamanzi with remote beaches, coastal forests and ocean experiences at Camp Gugs.
Remote Coast
Discover some of the most untouched stretches of coastline in South Africa with included activities like the Lala Nek beach day, snorkelling excursions, Black Rock beach trips and the Kosi Bay Three Lakes boat cruise. Designed for travellers who enjoy nature, simplicity and adventure.
Jimny Adventure
Detailed Self-Drive Itinerary
Bush Beginnings at Bonamanzi Game Reserve
Your adventure begins at Africamps Bonamanzi, located within the beautiful Bonamanzi Game Reserve near Hluhluwe in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
This unique glamping experience combines comfort and nature perfectly, with stylish tented accommodation overlooking the reserve. Guests can enjoy peaceful surroundings, birdlife and easy access to the surrounding bushveld while still having the flexibility of self-catering accommodation.
One of the highlights of the itinerary is the opportunity to spend a day exploring the nearby Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve — one of Africa’s oldest and most iconic wildlife reserves. Self-driving through Hluhluwe in your Jimny adds an entirely different dimension to the safari experience, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace while searching for elephant, rhino, buffalo and other incredible wildlife.
Remote Coastal Living at Camp Gugs
From the bush, the journey continues north towards the pristine coastline and remote beaches of KwaZulu-Natal.
Your next stop is Camp Gugs — a truly special coastal retreat focused on sustainability, community and simple barefoot luxury. Accessible only by 4×4, this hidden destination is exactly the kind of place the Suzuki Jimny was built for.
Camp Gugs offers a fully immersive stay with:
- All meals included
- Selected drinks
- Scheduled activities
- Remote beach experiences
- A relaxed, community-focused atmosphere
The camp follows a predominantly vegetarian-focused dining philosophy, growing much of its own produce on-site while also incorporating fresh, locally caught fish on selected evenings. Sustainability and connection to the local community are at the heart of the experience, creating a stay that feels authentic, grounded and completely removed from busy everyday life.
What makes Camp Gugs particularly special is the flexibility of the experience. Guests can choose to completely slow down and disconnect, or take advantage of the range of included activities throughout the stay.
Spend a relaxed day at Lala Nek Beach, where guests simply walk onto the beach while the Camp Gugs team takes care of everything else. Snorkel in the clear waters of Lala Nek, explore the remote coastline on the Black Rock Beach excursion, or experience the incredible natural beauty of the region on the Kosi Bay Three Lakes Boat Cruise.
Back at camp, guests can enjoy both guided and self-guided walks around the surrounding coastal forest and wilderness areas, allowing them to explore entirely at their own pace.
It is this balance between adventure, simplicity and genuine connection to nature that makes Camp Gugs such a unique destination.
The Jimny Becomes Part of the Adventure
This itinerary is not simply about getting from one destination to another — the vehicle itself becomes part of the journey.
The Suzuki Jimny is perfectly suited to this style of travel, offering compact capability, excellent gravel-road comfort and true adventure character. From game reserve roads to remote coastal tracks, the Jimny allows you to experience both the bush and the beach exactly as they should be explored — slowly, freely and with a sense of adventure.
Whether you are navigating the bushveld around Hluhluwe or heading towards remote beaches along the KZN coastline, the Jimny becomes an essential part of the experience.
This winter, escape the cold and discover a different side of South Africa.
Your adventure starts here
Our itineraries are tailor-made to fit your interests, budget, and travel expectations.
The above itinerary can be adjusted where needed.
Want a Jimny?
Would you rather enjoy the Kruger in one of our Jimny 4×4
rentals? Ask our team for a personalised quote with a
partially equipped Jimny
Panorama Route
The Panorama Route is an excellent two night add on before or after your safari. Giving you a complete experience of the Greater Kruger National Park.