Following the undisputed success of The Cape 1000®, widely celebrated as South Africa’s Most Beautiful Drive, event organisers now introduce the next evolution in luxury motoring adventures: The Safari 500. This exclusive, limited-entry grand touring rally reimagines precision driving against the backdrop of South Africa’s breathtaking bushveld — an unforgettable fusion of high-performance motoring and authentic African safari experiences.
Event organiser Vanessa Crichton describes the expansion as a natural progression for the brand:
“The overwhelming success of The Cape 1000 has led us to this incredible new adventure, The Safari 500. We can’t wait to show off a different area of South Africa to our fellow motor enthusiasts.”
A Bushveld Rally Like No Other
Created as Africa’s grand touring rally, The Safari 500 covers roughly 500 miles (800 km) over three days of driving and activities, culminating in a four-night all-inclusive experience. While the event embraces the spirit of adventure, it maintains the brand’s signature focus on precision, technicality and curated luxury.
Competitors will take on structured regularity rally stages — finely balanced tests of accuracy and car control — complemented by relaxed grand touring sections that highlight the unrivalled beauty of the region. The chosen setting is no coincidence: Limpopo and Mpumalanga’s sweeping landscapes, big-sky horizons and wildlife-rich terrain offer the perfect canvas for a motoring event of this calibre.
Despite the safari theme, organisers emphasise that all roads on the route are fully tarred, ensuring safety, mechanical sympathy and unrestrained driving enjoyment for entrants and their treasured vehicles. Among the standout sections is the iconic Magoebaskloof pass, where the route plunges nearly 600 metres from the lush Highveld into the subtropical Lowveld — a descent as dramatic as it is scenic.
Where Supercars Meet Safari
The Safari 500 sets itself apart through the seamless integration of luxury motoring and African wilderness experiences. The itinerary includes dedicated safari activities, with participants enjoying immersive Big 5 game drives inside the world-renowned Kruger National Park, using open safari vehicles for an authentic and unobstructed view of its wildlife treasures.
This powerful union of automotive passion and safari splendour echoes the ethos established by The Cape 1000®, celebrating engineering excellence across four distinguished entry categories:
- Classic (Pre-1976)
- Modern Classic (1977–1996)
- Sports (1997–current)
- Special (Restomod / Recreation)
These curated categories ensure a captivating blend of heritage icons, modern legends, powerful contemporary sports cars and bespoke machines, all sharing the same unforgettable roads.
Luxury Lodges that Complete the Journey
Accommodation is woven into the narrative of the event, elevating the experience with a selection of high-quality 4-star properties chosen for atmosphere, character and service excellence.
Participants will enjoy:
- Protea Hotel Ranch Resort, Polokwane — a spectacular 1000-hectare bushveld property complete with its own lion sanctuary.
- Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit — offering sweeping views of the Drakensberg Mountains and the wildlife-dense heart of Hoedspruit.
- Kruger Gate Hotel — positioned less than a minute from the Paul Kruger Gate, offering unmatched proximity to South Africa’s most iconic national park.
These communal spaces, paired with elegant dinners and shared downtime, reinforce one of the event’s most beloved elements: the camaraderie between fellow car enthusiasts. It’s an atmosphere that inspires, energises and forges lifelong memories and friendships.
Entries Now Open for 2026
The inaugural Safari 500 will take place from Wednesday, 29 July 2026 to Sunday, 2 August 2026, marking a bold new chapter for South African motoring culture.
Entries are officially open, with highly limited spots available. All applications are subject to admissions committee approval, maintaining the exclusivity and integrity of the event.
Secure your place on this extraordinary new adventure.
Apply now at www.safari500.com
