Rhodes: Self Drive 4×4 safari – Pick ups South

Rough roads, big views, real Rhodes. This eight-hour safari takes you beyond the usual resort circuit, with a self-drive Suzuki Jimny leading you through villages, olive fields, riverbeds, forests, and mountain roads. I like the freedom of driving rather than sitting on a bus, and I like the mix of off-road tracks and paved roads. The main consideration is that the tour’s information can be light, and changing road conditions may reduce the off-road portion.

I also like the small-group feel, with no more than 15 people, and the chance to stop for lunch in Monolithos before swimming at a quiet beach. Guide Cecile has earned praise for keeping the pace safe and the day well organized. Still, this is not a rally, and drivers should expect a scenic adventure rather than nonstop technical driving.

Key points to know before booking

• You drive the Suzuki Jimny yourself: Drivers must be at least 21 and hold a license for at least two years. If you do not reserve a car for four people, driving may be shared.
• The route covers southern Rhodes: You pass Lindos, Pefkos, Kiotari, Asklipion, Profilia, Monolithos, and mountain areas around Ataviros and Akramitis.
• The day mixes dirt and asphalt: Expect riverbeds, forest tracks, mountain roads, and paved stretches. Weather and fallen branches can affect the route.
• Lunch is at your own cost: The stop is in Monolithos, with a view, but food and refreshments are not included in the $87 price.
• Swimming is built into the afternoon: Bring a swimsuit, towel, water, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes for the secluded beach stop.
• It suits active adults and families with older children: Pregnant people and those with back problems should not take part.

Why this safari feels different from a bus tour

Rhodes is easy to experience from a coach window. Lindos, resort beaches, and the main archaeological sites are all well known. This excursion takes a less polished route, where olive groves, riverbeds, mountain herbs, and small villages do most of the talking.

The key difference is control. You sit behind the wheel of a Suzuki Jimny instead of watching the island slide past from a fixed seat. That makes the journey more involved, but it also means you need to be comfortable driving on uneven tracks and following the guide’s instructions.

The group is limited to 15 people, and pickup is made in the safari vehicles rather than through a separate bus transfer. Depending on the group, the operator may use Suzuki Jimnys or Mercedes Vito 4×4 vehicles. The exact pickup point is normally sent the day before, often through WhatsApp, so keep an eye on your messages.

At $87 per person, the price is fair if you value access to parts of southern Rhodes that are awkward to reach independently. It is less compelling if you mainly want a long beach day or a full lesson in local history. Petrol, insurance, the guide, and hotel pickup and drop-off from specified locations are included. Lunch and drinks are not, so the final cost will be higher.

Starting along Rhodes’ east coast

The day begins with pickup from your hotel or a nearby meeting point. The route heads down the east coast, passing the popular areas around Lindos and Pefkos before reaching Kiotari.

This opening section is useful for settling into the vehicle and getting used to the convoy. You are not thrown straight into difficult driving. The coastal road also gives you a quick sense of how the busy resort side of Rhodes changes as you move south.

You should pay attention during the briefing. This is a guided self-drive tour, not an independent rental-car outing. The guide sets the speed and route, and the vehicles stay together. Cecile has been singled out for making sure the group travels at a safe pace, a detail that matters when several drivers have different levels of experience.

The Jimny is practical rather than luxurious. One family described it as well suited to the day, but also made clear that the off-road sections were fun rather than a high-speed challenge. If you are hoping for dramatic rock crawling, you may find the driving gentler than expected.

Asklipion and the turn toward the interior

Near Kiotari, the route moves inland toward Asklipion. This small village is known here for its castle, giving the day a cultural stop as well as a driving focus.

The value of this part of the route is the change in scale. The coast is developed and familiar to many holidaymakers. Inland, the roads lead through smaller communities and agricultural areas, with olive fields and open countryside replacing hotels and beach businesses.

You may not receive a long formal talk at every stop. One criticism of the experience is that the guide offered little explanation about the island, even though the route itself was attractive. If you want detailed commentary at each village, castle, and mountain, ask questions as you go and keep your expectations realistic.

The tour is strongest when it lets you notice the setting directly. You smell mountain herbs, see working rural areas, and feel the road change beneath the tires. It is a day of motion and scenery more than a traditional sightseeing circuit.

Following the river to Profilia

From Asklipion, the vehicles follow a riverbed toward Profilia. This is one of the places where the self-drive format earns its keep. You are not only looking at the route. You are managing the turns, the surface, and the rhythm of the vehicle while staying with the group.

The term riverbed should not make you expect a nonstop extreme course. The tour is described as a balance of off-road and asphalt, so paved driving is part of the plan. Still, the change from regular road to rougher track gives the day its character.

Profilia provides a refreshment stop. Drinks are not included, so carry water and budget for anything you buy along the way. This pause also breaks up the driving and gives you time to stretch before the mountain roads.

Families with older children can enjoy this section, and one family with children aged 9 and 11 found the off-road driving especially fun. The operator warns that this is not a rally, which is useful for setting the right tone. You get bumps, dust, and changing surfaces, but the focus is safe sightseeing.

Ataviros and the high mountain roads

The route then heads toward Ataviros, the highest mountain on Rhodes. The mountain roads bring some of the day’s best views, with bends, elevation, and wide open sightlines across the island.

This is where an experienced guide matters. Cecile received praise for keeping the speed sensible, and that approach suits the route. Mountain roads are more enjoyable when you have time to look around instead of rushing from one corner to the next.

The scenery changes again as the vehicles cross the wine region. You see another side of Rhodes, away from the resort towns and main visitor roads. The provided details do not promise a winery visit or tasting, so think of this as a scenic drive through wine-growing country rather than a wine tour.

Road conditions can affect the experience. On one occasion, branches made a mountain section impossible to drive, so the group spent more time on asphalt than planned. The operator could not control that obstruction, but there was no replacement off-road route. If rough-track driving is your main reason for booking, this is the most important risk to understand.

Lunch with a view in Monolithos

The midday stop is in Monolithos village, near the second-highest mountain, Akramitis. Lunch is not included, but the setting gives the meal real value. You can eat while looking across the surrounding hills and toward the coast rather than stopping at a generic roadside restaurant.

Monolithos also gives you a chance to slow down after the mountain drive. The trip includes plenty of moving scenery, so a longer food stop is welcome. Bring enough money for your meal and drinks, since the $87 covers the tour elements but not refreshments or lunch.

The stop is scenic, but do not expect a guided village tour unless the guide provides extra commentary on the day. The route description centers on the view and the meal. If you want to know more about Monolithos, ask directly.

This is one of the tour’s strongest value points for me. A bus tour may pause at a large restaurant with a fixed schedule. Here, the meal is tied to a small village and a mountain setting, which makes the stop feel connected to the area you have just driven through.

The forest road and views toward the west

After lunch, the route enters a shaded forest area around Akramitis. This section offers a welcome change from exposed mountain roads and bright coastal stretches.

The drive continues toward views of Rhodes’ west coast and the smaller islands offshore. The panorama around Monolithos is a major reason to bring a camera. You will want sunscreen and water too, since shade on the forest road does not mean the whole day is cool.

This afternoon section shows why the tour is more than a simple off-road loop. You get forests, hills, mountains, open coastal views, and villages in one long circuit. The variety is more important than any single obstacle.

The tradeoff is that the day can feel like a lot of driving. One person found the route beautiful but felt there were too few information stops, with only an outlook, lunch, and beach stop providing major breaks. If you prefer frequent short visits, this may feel sparse. If you enjoy driving through changing scenery, the long route is part of the appeal.

Finishing at a secluded beach

The final highlight is a swim at a secluded beach. Swimming is included, but you need to bring your own swimsuit and towel. The beach is described as secluded, though one assessment found it only moderately attractive, so do not book this mainly for a picture-perfect shoreline.

The swim works best as a cool-down after the dusty roads and mountain tracks. It gives you a practical break from the vehicle and a chance to enjoy the coast without spending the afternoon at a crowded resort beach.

Bring water, sunscreen, and shoes that are comfortable for moving around away from the vehicle. The operator does not list beach equipment, loungers, or drinks as included. Pack simply, since the Jimny has limited space compared with a coach.

The day ends with a return toward your pickup area and hotel drop-off. Because the tour lasts about eight hours, it takes up most of the day. That is worth noting when planning dinner, a boat trip, or another fixed activity.

Driving rules, comfort, and group setup

You must be at least 21 years old and have held your driving license for at least two years. If you reserve a place without reserving the car for four seats, you may share the driving with other participants.

That arrangement can lower the cost and make the day social, but it also means you may not drive every off-road section yourself. If having full control of the vehicle matters to you, confirm the seating and car arrangement before booking.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant people or anyone with back problems. That warning is sensible. Even a gentle 4×4 route can involve bumps, jolts, and awkward movement in and out of the vehicle.

English, Dutch, French, German, and Greek are available. The group limit of 15 keeps the experience smaller than a standard coach outing, though the group may be spread across several vehicles.

Insurance includes third-party and liability cover, but you should still read the exact terms before driving. The tour includes petrol, which removes one small cost and one practical chore from the day.

What to pack and how to prepare

Wear comfortable shoes that can handle uneven ground. Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, and a camera.

I would also keep your belongings compact. A Suzuki Jimny is not a roomy touring vehicle, and you will want space for other passengers and basic supplies. Carry some money for lunch and drinks because neither is included.

Before the day, make sure the operator has your correct pickup details. The exact location is usually sent the day before, and the company offers several pickup points, often choosing the closest one to your hotel.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Rhodes plans are still changing.

Is this Rhodes safari worth $87?

For me, the price makes sense when you want access, variety, and a hands-on day. You are paying for an eight-hour route, a guide, fuel, insurance, pickup, a 4×4 vehicle, mountain roads, villages, forest tracks, and a beach stop. Reaching all of those areas independently would require a rental car, careful route planning, and confidence on rough roads.

The value is weaker if you expect lunch, drinks, or a polished cultural tour to be included. It is also weaker if bad weather or fallen branches reduce the off-road portion. The route can change, and there may not be an alternative track.

Should you book it?

Book this safari if you enjoy driving, do not mind bumps, and want to see southern Rhodes beyond the resort roads. It is a good fit for couples, friends, and families with older children who want a full day with varied scenery and a little adventure.

Choose another experience if you need detailed historical commentary, guaranteed technical off-roading, a beautiful beach as the main event, or a smooth ride. The best reason to book is the combination of self-drive freedom and access to inland Rhodes. Go in expecting a well-paced scenic adventure, not a race, and the day offers strong value.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes self-drive safari last?

The safari lasts about eight hours, including pickup, driving, stops, lunch time, swimming, and return drop-off.

What vehicle do I drive?

The tour uses Suzuki Jimny vehicles. Mercedes Vito 4×4 vehicles may also be used for pickup or the safari operation.

Can I drive the vehicle myself?

Yes. This is a self-drive safari. Drivers must be at least 21 years old and must have held a driving license for at least two years.

Will I have the car to myself?

Not necessarily. If you do not reserve a car for four seats, you may share the driving with other participants.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch in Monolithos is not included, and refreshments are also at your own cost.

Where does the tour go?

The route follows the east coast past Lindos, Pefkos, and Kiotari, then continues through Asklipion, Profilia, Ataviros, the wine region, Akramitis, and Monolithos before heading through forest areas toward the west coast.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The tour includes swimming at a secluded beach.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, and water.

Which languages are available?

The live guide may provide the tour in English, Dutch, French, German, or Greek.

Who should not take this tour?

The safari is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.