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The Amazing Road Trips in South Africa

‘The Rainbow Nation’ is a land which blends fascinating culture, history, and people with a backdrop of adventure, exhilaration, and wilderness escape, making it the perfect place for the road trip of a lifetime.

The country’s good transport infrastructure makes it more accessible, allowing tourists to access the amazing wonders in the countryside, along the coast, in the mountains, and off-the-beaten-path.

From long distance drives across vast expanses of territory, to shorter, but no less rewarding trips designed to showcase the best of what this fascinating country has to offer. Here are the amazing road trips in South Africa;

1. Garden Route

Garden Route, Eastern Cape – Flickr

As the name suggests, following this trail is like travelling through South Africa’s Garden, with stunning lush greenery, an abundance of wildlife and diverse landscapes such as wetlands, lakes, woodlands, beaches, and mountains.

Garden Route is a route along South Africa’s south-western coast. It is a 300 km stretch between Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

With its year-round, mild climate, this route can be enjoyed at any time, summer or winter. From July to December, you might catch a glimpse of the endangered southern right whale, which calve in several of the bays along the route.

2. The Waterberg Meander, Limpopo

The Waterberg Mountains, Limpopo – Flickr

The Waterberg Meander is known locally as Africa’s Eden as the area compromises of soaring mountain peaks, antediluvian sandstone rock formation, golden savannah plains, dense riparian forests and plunging river valleys.

Starting and ending your trip in South Africa, this road trip is less about beginning at one point and ending in another, but more about exploring the length and breadth of the area known as the Waterberg region.

If you’re planning on bush camping or booking accommodation en-route, then summer is the best time to visit the region. However, as South Africa is a temperature region, visiting the area at any time of the year you will not be disappointed.

3. The Panorama Route

The Panorama Route – Flickr

This route is a must for outdoor adventurous nature lovers because of its spectacular scenery and the natural landscape only comparable to paradise and the imminent lowveld clouds added to the sought-after feelings of peace and isolation.

The top attraction along this route is the Blyde River Canyon, which is the third-largest canyon on earth. Others include Bourkes Luck Potholes, The Three Rondavels, Mac Mac Falls, Gods Window, Graskop Falls, and the stunning Bridal Veil Falls.

The route is approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) and travels from Lyndenberg to the Echo Caves, near the border of Mpumalanga.

With several mountain-passes to navigate, this route is best attempted at a time when good weather is guaranteed, and that is between June and November.

4. Route 62

Route 62, vineyards – Flickr

Route 62 is known as the longest wine route in the world. It sis a 850 km (528 miles) stretch from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.

The R62 road cuts across countless lovely vineyards of the cape winelands, through dramatic mountain passes and into the heart of the little Karoo, a wild and dusty region of open scrubland, livestock farms and quaint rural towns

As the drive is long there are a variety of climates en-route, thus this route is best tackled in the spring (September – October) or late summer (February – March) when temperatures are cooler, and you can still enjoy longer days and temperate nights.

5. Kruger safari road trip

Kruger’s safari – Flickr

The Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s largest game reserves characterized by sweeping vistas and geological curiosities, and surrounded by waterfalls and creaky prospecting towns.

There are nine main gates into the park. The reserve is nearly 2 million hectares of diverse wildlife including elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, hippos, giraffe, zebra, wild dogs and much more.

April to September is the drier season and is the best time to see the wildlife. In winter, parts of the park may be closed and fewer organised trips run.

6. Sani Pass

Sani Pass – Flickr

Sani Pass is a mountain pass located in the West of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa on the road between Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal and Mokhotlong, Lesotho.

The route up Sani pass is not for the faint heart and a 4×4 vehicle capability being a minimum requirement as it starts at 1,544 metres (5,066 ft), and climbs 1,332 m (4,370 ft) to an altitude of 2,876 m (9,436 ft).

Summer (November to February) is the best time to take on this road trip. The pass will be closed during adverse weather conditions and is best avoided in the winter months.

7. Clarence Drive

Clarence Drive – Flickr

Clarence Drive is a mountain pass crossed by the R44 road between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi-Els. Baviaanskloof. The 22 km long stretch provided a panoramic view of False Bay, the coastline, Table Mountain, and parts of the Cape Peninsula.

One of the best stops along the way is Stony Point Penguin Colony, one of the three breeding colonies of jackass penguins in mainland South Africa.

Also, it is important to know that baboons are a common presence along this drive, so drive slowly and keep your windows closed as they love getting in cars!

8. The Wild Coast, Eastern Cape

Widerness, South Africa – Flickr

The ruggedly beautiful Wild Coast runs from the coastal city of East London in the south of the Eastern Cape to the boarder of Kwa-Zulu National some 350 km to the northeast. As the name suggests, the region compromised of an untamed wilderness.

This route offers incredible views of the dramatic coastline, jagged cliffs, sheltered bays, wild beaches and rolling hills and valleys.

Due to their delicate ecosystems, beaches are off limits for drivers.

9. Baviaanskloof

Mountain pass at Baviaanskloof – Flickr

Baviaanskloof road trip in South Africa is the drive that connects Willowmore to Zandvlakte through the Baviaanskloof Valley, a beautiful 200 km (124 miles) long valley nestled between two mountain ranges and so unique that it is now a World Heritage Site.

The Baviaanskloof area is one of outstanding natural beauty, owing to its spectacular land forms, a diverse array of plants and wide variety of animals. It is famous for the many hiking trails and the Willowmore donkey cart (known as the Willow Limo)

10. KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Meander

KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Meande, Pietermaritzburg – Wikipedia

The Midlands Meander route is situated between the city of Pietermaritzburg in the East and the majestic uKhahlamba Drakensberg mountain range (a World Heritage Site) in the West, in the uMgungundlovu district, one of eight regions of the ‘Zulu Kingdom’.

This stunning stretch is about 80km’s long and offers a varied array of hospitality, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities. Along the strip there are weavers, potters, woodcrafters, leather workers, artists, metalworkers, box makers, herb growers, cheese makers, beer brewers and so much more.

The route is great to visit any time of the year.