Following the undisputed success of The Cape 1000®, famously known as “South Africa’s Most Beautiful Drive”, event organizers proudly unveil the exhilarating newest chapter in their grand touring series: The Safari 500. This exclusive, limited-entry event is reimagined across South Africa’s breathtaking bushveld landscapes, blending the core elements of precision driving and grand touring regularity rallying with the unique excitement of an African safari.
Event organiser, Vanessa Crichton, shared her enthusiasm for the expansion: “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.
The Ultimate Test of Precision on Tarred Bushveld Roads
The Safari 500 is designed as Africa’s grand touring rally, spanning approximately 500 miles (800km) over three days of driving and activities, totalling four nights.
The rally features structured regularity stages to test driver precision and skill, alongside grand touring routes that allow participants to appreciate the diverse environments. Critically, this adventurous route focuses on the dramatic landscapes and abundant wildlife of the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, renowned for their proximity to the iconic Kruger National Park.
To ensure optimal driving enjoyment and safety for all entrants in their treasured vehicles, organizers confirm that all roads on this exclusive event are tarred. The provisional route includes driving stages through the scenic Magoebaskloof area, which offers stunning views as it descends about 600m from the highveld to the sub-tropical Lowveld.
Safari Meets Supercar: An Integrated Luxury Experience
The distinctive nature of The Safari 500 lies in its seamless integration of luxury safari experiences with high-quality motoring. The itinerary incorporates dedicated game drive activities, including planned opportunities to experience the Big 5 within the Kruger National Park using open game vehicles. Participants will enjoy incredible access to the game-rich reaches of the southern Kruger Park.
Maintaining the rich tradition of The Cape 1000®, The Safari 500 celebrates automotive elegance and engineering excellence by welcoming vehicles across four distinct categories:
- Classic (Pre-1976)
- Modern Classic (1977–1996)
- Sports (1997–current)
- Special (Restomod/Recreation)
Accommodation selections enhance the thematic experience, featuring high-quality 4-star hotels chosen for their character and service. These include the majestic Protea Hotel Ranch Resort in Polokwane, which is set on 1000 hectares of pristine bushveld and includes a lion sanctuary; the Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit, offering spectacular views of the Drakensberg Mountains; and the Kruger Gate Hotel, situated less than a minute’s drive from the Paul Kruger Gate.
The event structure, complete with communal dinners and exclusive accommodation, is carefully designed to foster the remarkable camaraderie among like-minded car enthusiasts, inspiring the soul and creating lifelong memories and friendships.
Entries Now Open for 2026
The inaugural Safari 500 event is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, 29 July 2026 to Sunday, 2 August 2026.
Entries are officially open! Enthusiasts are urged to secure their spot for this distinct and highly desirable new event. All applications are subject to admissions committee approval.
Register your application today on the official website: www.safari500.com
