The best part of this Rhodes safari is the change of pace. Instead of sticking to the main roads, you ride a rugged 4×4 through old German and Italian war routes, small villages, chapels, monasteries, and thick countryside that ordinary cars cannot reach. I like the small group size, capped at eight people, and the fact that your driver-guide handles both the driving and the island stories.

I also like the traditional lunch in Kritinia, served at a local tavern on the village square beneath plane trees. Hotel pickup and drop-off make this a useful choice when you want a full day out without arranging a car. The main consideration is that this is a long, bumpy outdoor day, and infants are not allowed. Bring sturdy footwear, sun protection, and a jacket in spring or autumn.

Key points to know before booking

• Old war routes and off-road tracks: The 4×4 reaches places that standard sightseeing vehicles cannot.
• Kolimbia to Kritinia: The route crosses northern Rhodes from the east toward the west, with village, chapel, and monastery stops along the way.
• Lunch under the plane trees: A traditional meal is served at a tavern in Kritinia, with vegetarian options available if requested in advance.
• Small group transport: Each specially equipped vehicle carries seven or nine people, while the overall activity has a maximum of eight participants.
• Frequent comfort breaks: Guided stops are planned every 30 to 40 minutes, which helps on a full eight-hour day.
• Simple door-to-door planning: Pickup and return are offered from selected hotels in North Rhodes.

Why this safari shows you a different side of Rhodes

Rhodes is easy to visit from the water, the old town, or the main resort roads. This outing takes a different approach. You spend the day in a 4×4, moving between the east and west sides of northern Rhodes and using tracks that are not practical for a normal rental car.

That matters because the island is not only beaches and ancient sites. The route passes through smaller villages, religious buildings, wartime routes, and wooded areas. Your driver-guide provides information about local life and the island’s past as you go, so the drive is more than a series of photo stops.

The outing lasts about eight hours, beginning with an 8:30 a.m. pickup. Since transport, lunch, and the return journey are arranged, you do not need to spend the day reading road signs or worrying about where to park. I see this as a good use of a holiday day for anyone who wants to cover a lot of ground without renting a car.

The group limit is especially useful. A vehicle with seven or nine seats does not automatically mean a crowded experience, and the stated maximum is eight people. You still share the ride, but the format should feel more personal than a large coach tour.

Starting near Kolimbia with coffee and local roads

Pickup begins in central Rhodes and continues toward the east side of the island and Kolimbia village. The day starts gently, with a coffee or tea break in a traditional village. This first stop gives you time to settle into the vehicle, meet the other people in your group, and get your bearings before the rougher part of the route.

Kolimbia is used as the gateway into the day rather than as a long sightseeing visit. You should not expect an extended town tour here. Instead, the stop breaks up the early transfer and marks the point where the outing shifts from regular roads to a more adventurous route.

After the morning refreshment, the 4×4 follows an old German and Italian war route. This detail gives the journey a useful sense of place. The driver-guide shares historical information while also explaining local customs and everyday life, connecting the road itself with the villages and buildings around it.

The itinerary includes small villages, monasteries, and chapels. Exact stop times can change, but guided breaks are planned every 30 to 40 minutes. That rhythm is helpful. You get chances to stretch, take photographs, and listen without spending the entire day sitting in a moving vehicle.

The off-road section is the real reason to book

The rough tracks are the heart of this experience. The 4×4 takes you along less accessible paths through dense vegetation and open countryside, reaching areas that a standard car cannot comfortably approach. You get a closer look at the quieter side of northern Rhodes, away from the usual main-road route.

I would not book this expecting a high-speed driving thrill. The appeal is access and scenery, not a theme-park ride. The vehicle is used to reach remote points and connect villages, religious buildings, and viewpoints. Road conditions may feel uneven, so anyone with a bad back or a strong dislike of bumpy transport should think carefully before booking.

The guides are described as multilingual escort-drivers, with one assigned to each 4×4. That arrangement gives you a guide who stays with your vehicle rather than appearing only at occasional stops. The supplied experience details do not provide individual guide names, but they do make clear that the driver-guide explains the island as you travel.

One particularly useful feature is the regular stopping pattern. You are not expected to wait until lunch for a break. With pauses every 30 to 40 minutes, you can take photographs and enjoy the views without treating the vehicle as a place you must endure for hours at a time.

Wear shoes with a firm sole. Trekking shoes are recommended, though sandals are also mentioned as an option. I would choose the more secure pair if you plan to walk around on uneven ground. A hat, sunscreen, and water are sensible for the exposed sections, while a light jacket is advised in spring and autumn.

Crossing northern Rhodes toward Kritinia

The route continues from the eastern side of Rhodes toward the west. This east-to-west crossing gives the day its broad feel. You are not simply driving out to one viewpoint and returning by the same road. The trip links different parts of northern Rhodes and gives you a series of changing views.

The route is designed around panoramic views of northern, eastern, and western Rhodes. That variety is one of the strongest reasons to bring a camera. You might find that the best photographs come during the short roadside pauses rather than at a famous named attraction, since the point of the safari is access to places beyond the standard sightseeing circuit.

The experience also gives you a useful look at the relationship between built and rural Rhodes. Villages, chapels, and monasteries appear along the route, while off-road sections lead into denser natural areas. The driver’s local knowledge helps explain what you are seeing, although the amount of commentary can vary by escort and group interest.

The route is not presented as a formal archaeological tour. If your main goal is ancient monuments with long guided talks, another Rhodes excursion would suit you better. This day is about movement, access, village life, views, and the pleasure of getting somewhere by an unusual route.

Lunch beneath plane trees in Kritinia

Kritinia is the main food stop. Lunch takes place at a local tavern in the village square, beneath plane trees. That setting gives the meal a more relaxed village feel than a quick stop at a roadside restaurant.

Traditional food is included in the price. Wine is specifically described as included as well, while drinks are also listed among the exclusions, so I would clarify what is covered when you book. At minimum, plan for any additional beverages to be extra unless the operator confirms otherwise.

If you need vegetarian food or have an allergy, give the information when making the reservation. Suitable alternatives may be possible, but they need to be arranged in advance. This is worth taking seriously because the meal is part of the planned route, not an open choice among many restaurants.

The lunch stop also serves as a proper rest after the off-road portion. You have time to eat, refresh, and enjoy the village square before returning by an easier asphalt route. The contrast is practical: the adventure comes earlier, and the final ride back is intended to be more comfortable.

The return trip keeps the afternoon easy

After lunch, the group returns toward the hotels by an easier paved route. This is a welcome design choice. You get the rough tracks and remote access during the main part of the day, but you do not spend the final hours bouncing over the same type of road.

Drop-off is included at selected hotels in North Rhodes. Pickup details matter here because the service is not described as available from every address on the island. Check that your hotel is within the pickup area before paying, especially if you are staying well outside northern Rhodes.

The tour provider can make minor program changes without advance notice if conditions require it. Weather is given as an example. That flexibility is sensible for an off-road outing, where rain or other conditions can affect the safety and comfort of certain tracks.

You should treat the route as a planned outline rather than a fixed timetable down to the minute. The stops, order, and road choice may change while the main character of the day remains the same: 4×4 travel, local information, rural views, and a village lunch.

Is the $136.04 price good value?

At $136.04 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Rhodes. It is also more than a simple sightseeing transfer. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a specially equipped 4×4, a multilingual escort-driver, lunch, liability insurance, and local taxes.

I think the value is strongest if you do not want to rent a car. You are paying for transport on difficult roads, a full-day route across the north of the island, local commentary, and the convenience of not planning lunch or navigation. A rental car would not necessarily give you access to the same off-road paths, and driving those roads yourself could be tiring.

The value is less clear if you mainly want time at the beach or a slow village afternoon. The day is active, the schedule covers a large area, and the vehicle is shared. You should also remember that drinks are not included, apart from the stated lunch wine, and confirm exactly what that wording means before departure.

The maximum group size of eight improves the calculation. You are not paying for a private tour, but you also are not being placed on a large bus. For couples, single participants, youth groups, companies, and families with older children, that middle ground can work well.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this safari to you if you want to see more of Rhodes than the main resort areas and prefer a guided day to self-driving. It suits people who enjoy changing scenery, short stops, local stories, and a little physical roughness.

Families with older children may find it appealing, provided everyone can manage a full day in a 4×4. Infants are not allowed, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The experience is also presented as suitable for couples, solo participants, youth groups, and company outings.

This is not the right fit if you need a completely smooth ride, want a private vehicle, or prefer a carefully timed monument-by-monument tour. The route can change, and the appeal comes from the journey as much as from any single stop.

Bring comfortable shoes, a camera, sun protection, and a jacket in cooler seasons. Tell the operator about dietary needs when booking. Those small preparations make the difference between enjoying the day and wishing you had packed more carefully.

Booking, pickup, and cancellation details

The advertised start time is 8:30 a.m., with pickup from selected hotels in North Rhodes. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is offered in English, with multilingual group escort-drivers.

The excursion has a maximum of eight participants, but it also requires a minimum number to operate. If the minimum is not reached and the outing is canceled, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Free cancellation applies when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book this Rhodes North Route safari?

Book it if you want a full day that combines off-road access, island stories, and a village meal rather than a standard coastal tour. The old wartime route, frequent stops, and views across several sides of northern Rhodes give the day a clear sense of purpose.

I would especially choose it if you are staying in North Rhodes, do not want to drive, and value a small group. Skip it if your priority is a gentle ride, a private itinerary, or a beach day. For the right kind of explorer, the $136.04 price buys a convenient and unusual way to see the island beyond its main roads.

FAQ

Where does the Land Rover Safari in Rhodes begin?

Pickup is offered from selected hotels in North Rhodes. The stated start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the safari last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

What route does the safari follow?

The route begins in the Rhodes area, heads toward Kolimbia on the east side, then continues from east to west across northern Rhodes before returning to hotels by an easier asphalt route.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels in North Rhodes.

What vehicle is used?

The experience uses specially equipped 4×4 Jeeps described as Land Rover safari vehicles, with seven or nine seats. Each vehicle is driven by a multilingual escort-driver.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A traditional lunch at a local tavern in Kritinia is included.

Are drinks included?

Wine is specifically described as included with the lunch, while drinks are also listed among the exclusions. Confirm the exact beverage arrangements when booking.

Can vegetarian meals be arranged?

Vegetarian alternatives may be available, but you must provide the information when making your reservation. The same applies to food allergies.

Are infants allowed on the safari?

No. Infants are not allowed. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a camera, and sun protection. A jacket is advised during spring and autumn. Conditions can change, so dress for an outdoor day.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of eight participants.

What happens if the weather affects the route?

The program may be changed when necessary, including because of unfavorable weather conditions. Minor changes can be made without prior notice.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.