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

Southern Rhodes is at its best when you leave the main coastal road. This self-drive 4×4 safari takes you through olive fields, riverbeds, forest, and mountain roads that a standard coach cannot reach. You drive a Suzuki Jimny, rather than sitting behind a window, and the day feels more active and personal.

I like the mix of off-road tracks and ordinary asphalt, plus the lunch stop in Monolithos with broad views. I also like the small-group format, with no bus transfer before the fun starts. The main caution is that the route can change: fallen branches once blocked a mountain section, leaving more paved driving and fewer rough tracks than expected.

Key points at a glance

• Drive your own Suzuki Jimny: Drivers need to be at least 21 and hold a licence for at least two years.
• Eight hours across southern Rhodes: The route links coastal roads, villages, riverbeds, high mountain roads, forest, and a beach stop.
• Monolithos is the main lunch pause: Food is not included, but the village setting and views make it a useful break.
• Small group, maximum 15 people: You may share a vehicle and the driving unless you reserve all four seats.
• A real mix of surfaces: Expect both unpaved tracks and paved roads, not a full-day rally.
• Bring swimming gear: The afternoon ends with a swim at a secluded beach, weather and route conditions permitting.

Taking the wheel from Rhodes town to the southern coast

This is not a sightseeing coach with a short 4×4 segment tacked on. The day begins with collection in the safari vehicles, either Suzuki Jimny models or a Mercedes Vito 4×4, from selected pickup points near your hotel. The precise meeting point is sent mostly through WhatsApp the day before.

That arrangement matters. You do not spend the first hour riding to a separate activity base. Once you are collected, you are already in the vehicle used for the tour. Pickup points are described as being within walking distance of selected hotels, though you should wait for the exact message before planning your morning.

The route follows Rhodes’ east coast toward Lindos, Pefkos, and Kiotari. These are familiar names on the island’s resort circuit, but the tour uses them as a starting line before turning inland. If you already know the east coast, the change of pace begins when the road heads toward smaller villages and rougher ground.

The Suzuki Jimny is compact and practical rather than luxurious. That is part of the point. You sit low, feel the bumps, and get a better sense of the road surface. The experience is active, but it is not designed as a speed contest. One family described the off-road driving as fun while stressing that it was not a rally. Your guide sets a safe pace, as Cecile did for one group, so expect controlled driving rather than dramatic racing.

Asklipion and the first inland turn

The first notable village is Asklipion, known for its castle. The stop adds a useful local touch to what could otherwise become a pure driving day. You are not simply ticking off viewpoints. You are moving through inhabited parts of Rhodes, where the road, village, and surrounding countryside form one continuous picture.

From there, the route follows a river toward Profilia. Riverbeds give the driving a different feel from mountain roads. The surface can be uneven, and the Suzuki Jimny comes into its own here, but the exact amount of rough driving depends on conditions. This is one reason to keep your expectations sensible. The tour offers off-road sections, not a guarantee that every planned track will be open.

Profilia is used for a refreshment stop. Drinks are not included, so carry water and budget for anything you buy. This is a small but important practical point: eight hours in a 4×4, especially in warm weather, calls for more water than you might expect.

The village section is also where the guide’s role becomes important. The information can range from useful local context to fairly light commentary. One person felt the route needed more explanation about the island, while several others praised the clear information and steady organization. I would choose this tour mainly for the driving and scenery, with guiding as an added benefit rather than the central reason to book.

Ataviros mountain roads and changing views

The route then climbs toward Ataviros, the highest mountain on Rhodes. You will use mountain roads with wide views across the island, and the scenery changes quickly from low coastal areas to higher, more open ground. The point is not one grand monument. It is the sequence of changing terrain: hills, rocky roads, olive fields, distant coast, and mountain vegetation.

The driving can be the most memorable part here. You are not looking at the road from a coach seat. You need to pay attention to bends, surfaces, and the vehicle itself. That makes the outing more involving, but it also means you should not expect to photograph every passing view while driving. Pull over only when the guide stops.

The route crosses Rhodes’ wine region before reaching Akramitis, the island’s second-highest mountain. This gives the day a useful rhythm. You start near the coast, move through villages and riverbeds, climb through mountain country, and then reach another high point before lunch.

I like this kind of route because it shows how quickly Rhodes changes once you leave the resort strip. The island is not just beaches and ancient sites. Its interior has working fields, mountain roads, forest, and small communities. A coach trip can show you the broad outline, but the 4×4 gives you a closer look at the spaces between the headline sights.

Lunch in Monolithos, with time to slow down

Monolithos is the main midday stop, and lunch is not included in the $87 price. You pay for your own meal, so the final cost depends on what you order. The village setting and views are the real value here. After several hours of driving, a proper pause is welcome.

This is not a quick roadside snack break. The tour places lunch in a village with a mountain setting, giving you time to sit, eat local food, and look back across the route. One of the strongest features of the day is this balance between movement and rest. Without a pause like Monolithos, eight hours of rough tracks and bends would feel tiring.

If you are comparing this outing with a standard guided bus excursion, include the meal and drinks in your budget. Petrol, insurance, the vehicle, guide, pickup, and drop-off are included, but refreshments and lunch are not.

The views also make Monolithos more than a meal stop. You get a sense of the island’s scale, with the village and surrounding mountains forming a strong contrast to the east coast resorts. I would treat this as the cultural and scenic center of the day, even though the off-road sections provide the main physical excitement.

A shaded forest route toward the west coast

After lunch, the route enters a more sheltered forest area. This is a pleasant change from exposed mountain roads and open viewpoints. The drive offers views toward the west coast and small islands, while the shade makes the afternoon more comfortable in hot weather.

Again, conditions matter. A mountain track was reported as blocked by branches on one outing, forcing the group to use more asphalt than planned. The operator was not responsible for the obstruction, but the lack of a replacement off-road route made the experience less satisfying for that person. You should see this as a possible weakness of any nature-based driving day: roads can close, surfaces can change, and a printed route cannot control the mountain.

The good news is that the route remains attractive even when it includes more paved road. You still pass through varied countryside and reach viewpoints that are hard to fit into a normal bus itinerary. The less good news is that anyone booking primarily for nonstop off-roading may feel shortchanged if conditions remove a rough section.

The group size is limited to 15, which helps. You are not part of a long convoy, and the guide can keep an eye on the cars and adjust the pace. A small group also makes it easier to ask questions or clarify the next stop.

The secluded beach finish

The afternoon ends with a swim at a secluded beach. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water. The beach is described as secluded, but the exact character can vary. One account found the beach only moderately attractive, so I would not book this tour expecting a postcard-perfect shoreline to be the highlight.

Its value is more practical. After dusty tracks, mountain roads, and a long day in the vehicle, a swim is a welcome reset. It also gives the schedule a clear finish before the return to your hotel. If you do not want to swim, you can still enjoy the pause, but swimming is one of the few explicitly included leisure activities.

The beach stop also shows why the tour works best as a full-day outing rather than a short off-road drive. You get several types of experience in one day: village roads, driving, mountain views, a meal, forest, and water. None of these needs to carry the entire tour by itself.

What sharing the Jimny means

The self-drive format needs careful attention before booking. Drivers must be at least 21 and have held a driving licence for at least two years. If you reserve fewer than four seats for your own car, you may share the driving with other participants.

That can be a plus or a drawback. Sharing lets you take a break and gives another person a chance to enjoy the vehicle. It can also mean that the driving time is divided, which may disappoint you if taking the wheel is your main reason for booking.

If you want the car to yourself, check the reservation conditions and reserve all four seats where available. The information provided does not promise that every booking receives a private vehicle, so do not assume you will be alone with your own party.

The tour includes petrol, third-party insurance, liability insurance, a seat in one of the vehicles, and a live guide. Still, you should make sure you understand the insurance terms before driving. The vehicles are provided for a guided safari, and the guide controls the pace and route.

This format suits confident drivers who are comfortable on uneven roads. It is less suitable if you want a quiet ride with no responsibility. People with back problems and pregnant women should not book, since the vehicle can travel over rough ground.

Is $87 good value for eight hours?

At $87 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to see Rhodes. You also pay separately for lunch and refreshments. The price makes more sense when you count what is bundled in: pickup and drop-off, a 4×4 seat, petrol, guide support, insurance, mountain and village routes, and a beach swim.

The strongest value comes from access and variety. You reach places and road surfaces that a normal sightseeing bus cannot handle, and you spend the day in a small group rather than moving with a large coach. One family felt the price was high but still worth it because the views and off-road access were difficult to find independently.

I would call it fair value for an active day, not a bargain excursion. If you only want viewpoints and a beach, you can spend less elsewhere. If you want to drive, see the rural side of Rhodes, and avoid arranging a 4×4 rental, the cost is easier to justify.

The 4.8 rating from 18 reviews points to a strong overall response, but the mixed experience with blocked tracks is worth keeping in mind. The tour is best judged as a guided island drive with off-road sections, not as a guaranteed technical 4×4 course.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes safari?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and small groups who want to do more than sit on a beach. Children aged 11 and 9 enjoyed the experience with their parents, and the vehicle was considered practical for the full day. The tour offers enough variety to hold attention, especially if your group likes roads, views, and a little dust.

It is also a good choice if you have already seen Lindos or the main resort areas and want a different side of Rhodes. The villages, olive fields, riverbeds, and mountain roads give you a better feel for the interior than a short coastal transfer.

I would be cautious if you need constant historical commentary. The amount of explanation can depend on the guide and conditions, and one experience included only limited information about the island. If detailed archaeology or history is your priority, choose a specialist cultural tour instead.

I would also avoid it if you dislike bumps, shared vehicles, or changing plans. The day is active, and the route can be altered by branches or other access problems. Comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a camera, and plenty of water are the sensible packing list.

Should you book the south Rhodes 4×4 safari?

Book it if you want to drive a Suzuki Jimny, see the less developed side of Rhodes, and combine rough tracks with villages, mountain views, lunch, forest, and a swim. The strongest moments are the changing scenery and the freedom of being in a small 4×4 instead of a bus.

Skip it if you want guaranteed nonstop off-road driving, a private car without checking the booking terms, or detailed commentary at every stop. For most active visitors, the $87 price is reasonable because the day covers a lot of ground and includes the practical costs of the vehicle and guide. Just treat the route as weather and access dependent, and you will have a clearer idea of what you are buying.

FAQ

How long does the south Rhodes 4×4 safari last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including hotel pickup, the driving route, stops, lunch time, the beach swim, and return transport.

What vehicle will I drive?

The safari uses Suzuki Jimny vehicles, with Mercedes Vito 4×4 vehicles also used for pickups and the group.

Can I drive the vehicle myself?

Yes. This is a self-drive safari, provided you meet the driver requirements.

What are the minimum driving requirements?

Drivers must be at least 21 years old and must have held a driving licence for at least two years.

Will I have a vehicle to myself?

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

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch in Monolithos is not included, and refreshments are also paid separately.

Is petrol included?

Yes. Petrol is included in the tour price.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from specified locations within walking distance of selected hotels. The exact location is usually sent the day before, mainly through WhatsApp.

What should I bring?

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

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. The tour also requires a qualified driver if you plan to drive.