When travelling through remote parts of Southern Africa, reliable navigation is essential. A Garmin GPS with Tracks4Africa remains one of our preferred navigation options for 4×4 adventures, particularly in areas where mobile signal and data coverage may be limited.
While there are countless navigation apps, online maps and other digital navigation tools available today, Tracks4Africa provides detailed information specifically developed with Southern African travellers and the 4×4 community in mind.
Why Choose a Garmin GPS with Tracks4Africa?
Tracks4Africa has been developed over many years with the participation and contributions of the 4×4 community.
I have personally made a number of submissions to Tracks4Africa over the years, and I trust and hope that these contributions have added value to someone else’s 4×4 adventure.
This community-driven approach is one of the things that makes Tracks4Africa so valuable when travelling through Southern Africa.
Navigation Built by the 4×4 Community
Tracks4Africa can open up a world of lesser-known places, points of interest (POIs), memorable sightseeing spots and useful travel information that can add something special to your adventure.
One of its greatest strengths is the information contributed by travellers who have actually visited these areas. When you’re travelling somewhere remote, there is tremendous value in having information supplied by someone who has recently been there.
Travellers can also contribute their own submissions and experiences to Tracks4Africa. It’s always rewarding to return for another 4×4 adventure a few years later and discover that your own submissions have been included on the maps.
Explore Remote Southern Africa with Confidence
Every South Africa 4×4 Hire vehicle is equipped with a late-model Garmin GPS and a Tracks4Africa SD card.
This provides a simple and reliable navigation option throughout your journey.
It’s particularly important to remember that many of the remote areas our 4×4 vehicles travel through have little or no mobile phone signal or data coverage. Depending solely on online navigation can therefore become a problem once you leave the more populated areas.
Downloaded maps can be useful, but in our experience they don’t always provide the level of detail you may need when travelling through remote areas or exploring the African bush.
Having a dedicated Garmin GPS with Tracks4Africa means your navigation remains available even when your phone doesn’t have a signal.
Planning Your Route with Garmin BaseCamp
Many of our clients prefer to plan their routes before their trip using Garmin BaseCamp.
You can use BaseCamp to plan your journey and then transfer the route information to your Garmin GPS before setting off. This gives you the benefit of planning ahead while still having a dedicated navigation system available throughout your adventure.
If you already have your own Tracks4Africa SD card with your tour itinerary loaded, you’re also welcome to bring it along and use it for your adventure.
Looking for some inspiration while planning your route? Take a look at our 25-Day Southern Africa 4×4 Itinerary for an example of what an extended self-drive adventure through Southern Africa could look like.
Don’t Overplan Your 4×4 Adventure
A word of advice from experience: don’t plan every minute of your trip. You’re on holiday.
Leave some spare time to get a little lost, explore an unexpected road and discover somewhere you didn’t originally plan to visit.
Some of the best places I’ve experienced weren’t part of the original itinerary. They were discovered because plans changed, we took a different road or simply decided to explore.
That’s part of what a 4×4 adventure is all about.
A 4×4 gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Enjoy it.
You’re on an African adventure, not running a Teams meeting!
Garmin GPS Included with Our 4×4 Rental Vehicles
At South Africa 4×4 Hire, we want to make exploring Southern Africa as straightforward and enjoyable as possible.
Our Toyota Hilux GD6 4×4 rental vehicles are prepared for adventure and include a Garmin GPS with Tracks4Africa to help you navigate your journey with confidence.
Our vehicles are available with fully equipped camping options or without camping equipment, allowing you to choose the setup that best suits your travel plans.
Explore our 4×4 rental vehicles to discover what’s included, compare equipment options and download our detailed packing lists.
Planning your own Southern African adventure? Contact South Africa 4×4 Hire for a personalised quote and let us help you get your journey started.
Useful Navigation Resources
Garmin BaseCamp
Plan and organise your routes before transferring them to your Garmin GPS.
Tracks4Africa
Explore Tracks4Africa maps, Garmin products and navigation resources for travelling through Africa.
Africa’s Roads. Your Adventure.
