5 of the best family-friendly getaways in South Africa
South Africa is teeming with all kinds of holiday resorts. While these destinations are designed...
So, you’re planning a road trip, but you aren’t sure about what type of vehicle to hire. Southern Africa has a healthy balance of modern urban areas and off-grid wilderness areas, which begs the question: 2×4 vs 4×4 – which is better for you?
Let’s get to the point: there’s no definitive answer here. Instead, the type of vehicle you choose to hire will depend entirely on what you plan to do when visiting southern Africa. For example, will you spend most of your time visiting wine farms, museums, and other tourist attractions in big cities like Cape Town, or do you plan to spend some – or most – of your time exploring national parks and other wilderness areas? Or will it be a combination of both?
Let’s take a closer look at the capabilities of 2×4 vehicles and 4×4 vehicles, how they differ, and which type of vehicle is better suited to different itineraries. Read on to learn more.
One of the most common drivetrain configurations you’ll come across in typical road vehicles is 2×4, also known as two-wheel drive (2WD). This system is designed for efficiency, offering solid performance on everyday roads while being simpler and more affordable to maintain than its off-road counterpart, the 4×4. But what exactly does 2×4 mean, and what makes these vehicles suitable for specific applications?
In a 2×4 vehicle, only two of the four wheels receive power from the engine. The remaining two wheels rotate passively, which can either be the front wheels (in a front-wheel drive system) or the rear wheels (in a rear-wheel drive system).
2×4 vehicles are typically used for:
For travellers seeking southern African adventures beyond paved roads, 4×4 vehicles are the go-to choice. Manufacturers build them for off-road performance, equipping them with exceptional traction, durability, and versatility. In South Africa, 4×4 vehicles are especially popular among adventurers, farmers, and anyone who needs to navigate challenging terrain. But how do 4×4 vehicles work, and what makes them so effective on low-traction surfaces?
A 4×4 (or four-wheel drive) system delivers power to all four wheels simultaneously, unlike the 2×4 configuration that powers only two wheels. This setup gives the vehicle far better traction, especially in slippery or uneven conditions. There are two primary types of 4×4 systems:
4×4 vehicles excel in a variety of environments, including:
Before you run off and start lecturing your friends on the differences between 2×4 vs 4×4, let’s figure out what type of vehicle you need. Here are a few examples that might line up with your holiday plans:
Cape to Kruger Road Trip: You might think that you need a 4×4 to visit Kruger National Park, but in reality, even tiny hatchbacks can navigate the park’s extensive tar roads. That means that you can combine a beach holiday in the Cape with a Kruger safari in any 2×4 vehicle of your choosing!
Namib Desert Adventure: Namibia also has its fair share of tarred roads, but here, it’s definitely advisable to drive a 4×4 vehicle – or a high-clearance 2×4, at the very least. Although dune driving isn’t permitted in our rental vehicles, you’ll still need to traverse some tricky terrain in the Namib Desert, especially if you plan to visit Sossusvlei and other arid areas.
Central Kalahari Expedition: Around 40% of Botswana consists of protected areas, and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the second largest game reserve in the world. However, to experience all its vast beauty and remarkable wildlife, you absolutely need to hire a camping-equipped 4×4. Water and electricity are hard to come by here, so you’ll need to be fully self-sufficient and ready to tackle some difficult bush terrain.
Hopefully, this comparison makes choosing between a 2×4 vs 4×4 a bit easier. Ultimately, choosing the right vehicle really depends on what terrain you’ll be encountering on your journey. Once you’ve planned your road trip adventure, browse through our comprehensive selection of 2×4 and 4×4 vehicles and take your pick. You can even use the handy booking tool at the top of this page. Safe travels!