Overview
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General Information
South Africa has an area of 1.220.000 km². It will therefore not surprise you that there are endless beautiful places in this country. As you drive from one side to the other, you will be amazed by how the landscape changes. This route takes you along the most stunning and interesting places and you will be blown away by the diversity of this country. From fascinating wildlife to gigantic mountains, you will find literally everything here!
About the itinerary
This itinerary offers a good variety between beautiful nature, safaris, relaxation and fun activities. We have covered this route in 4 weeks, but it is certainly possible to do most of this route in 3 weeks. We have added our tips for completing this trip in both 3 or 4 weeks.
It is a rough route with mainly the highlights, so there’s plenty of room to add or replace things yourself according to your own preferences. We drove this route from Cape Town to Johannesburg, but you can just as well plan this itinerary in the other direction.
So, in which direction should you do the route? This depends on where you want to spend the end of your trip: in the nice and cozy Cape Town, where there is a lot to see and do, or in Kruger National Park to see as much wildlife as possible.
Feel free to contact us with your questions about the various options and we will do our utmost to help you further.
Note: We have decided to not visit Johannesburg, due to safety reasons and therefore we have not put it in this route. There are certainly safe areas in Johannesburg, so it is perfectly possible to visit the city if you want to. Howerever, you will have to do some research in advance for your own safety.
The best time for visiting South Africa
You can drive this route year round, but each season has its advantages and disadvantages. So, it mainly depends on your personal preferences what the ideal time is for this route.
It’s important to note that South Africa is located in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere.
The overall best time to visit South Africa, is from May to October. During these winter months, you can expect more pleasant temperatures and less rain, as this period is dry season. It is also the best time for spotting wildlife, because there’s less vegetation, resulting in better visibility. If you would like to visit Drakensberg, you should keep in mind that it can snow here during the winter months.
November to March are peak tourist season. During these months, you can expect more crowds and higher prices. Because these months are the rainy season, some regions are more beautiful during this period. Keep in mind that it is much warmer and also more humid than during the winter months.
Remember that South Africa is a very large country, so there can be a big difference in the weather on both sides of the country. So be prepared for all kinds of weather!
Renting a car in South Africa
- You should always check whether it is possible to return your rental car at a different place than where you picked it up and if you have to pay extra for this.
- If you plan on visiting Eswatini and/or Lesotho, you should check if you are allowed to cross the border with your rental car. This differs from rental company to rental company. With some rental companies, you have to request this in advance and they will probably charge an extra fee.
Driving in South Africa
First of all, it is important to note that in South Africa, they drive on the LEFT side of the road. We quickly got used to driving on the left and found it pleasant to drive in South Africa.
Traffic rules are generally well respected and the main roads are mostly in good conditions. The closer to Cape Town, the better the roads. The further from Cape Town, the more potholes you will have to avoid. You should therefore always pay attention to potholes! There are also regular speed checks. So, always stick to the indicated speed to avoid fines.
At some intersections, everyone has a stop sign. Here applies: first come first serve. In other cases, sometimes you just have to enforce it a bit.
If someone is driving slow, they will in most cases drive on the side of the road, so that you can easily pass. Please note: sometimes they overtake in the opposite direction in your lane and assume that you will get out of the way. Always pay attention to this!
Cape town
The bar was immediately set high by our visit to Cape Town as the first stop of our itinerary. We are not city dwellers, but this city has really stolen our hearts. It is a super beautiful city with a nice atmosphere, beautiful views and countless fun things to do. You can hike the Lion’s head trail at sunset, climb the Table Mountain, visit cozy markets or let yourself go in gigantic shopping centers. Not to mention the numerous tasty and cozy restaurants and bars. Also in the wider area of the city, you can do many unique things such as visiting the penguins at Boulders beach and driving along a stunning ocean-view road! Make sure to check out our blog post to find out the 8 best things to do in Cape Town.
In short: you will certainly not be bored in Cape Town and you can certainly stay here for a few days.
Note: Cape Town is divided into different regions. We stayed in Camps Bay in POD Camps Bay and we couldn’t have wished for a better place to stay.
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Camps Bay
Cape town
Cape Town
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Stellenbosch
If you like wine, Stellenbosch is definitely the place to be. This town is known for its scenic beauty, rich history and world-class vineyards. It is the wine capital of South Africa and it ranks among the best wine regions in the world.
But Stellenbosch is not only worth a visit for the wine. It is also South Africa’s second oldest town with many old and beautiful streets. You really shouldn’t miss the old Dorpstraat. This street is home to some of the most impressive old buildings, where you can find some lovely shops, hotels and restaurants.
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Swellendam
Swellendam is the perfect stopover to break the trip between Stellenbosch and the Garden Route, the next stop. It is the third-oldest town in South Africa, with a rich historical and architectural heritage, surrounded by natural beauty. The town is known for its charming Cape Dutch architecture, with many well-preserved buildings. Here, you can also find a variety of restaurants, cafes and shops, where you can try the local cuisine and buy some unique handmade products.
Tip: On the way between Cape Town and Swellendam, you can also make a stopover at Bettysbay, where you can find another penguins colony, and Hermanus, where you can spot whales from the shore during whale season. .
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Garden route
The Garden Route is a popular scenic stretch along the southern coast, running from Mossel Bay to Storms River. It is named after the lush vegetation and diverse ecosystems that characterize the region, offering a stunning blend of forests, mountains, rivers and coastline. Curious about the best places along this route? Find it out here.
Knysna and Knsyna Elephant Park
Knysna is a picturesque town with a beautiful lagoon, surrounded by lush forests and mountains. One of the most iconic landmarks of the region is the Knysna Heads. These towering sandstone cliffs mark the entrance to the lagoon, where the waters of the Indian Ocean meet the calm lagoon.
For us, the highlight of Knysna was staying at Knysna Elephant Park, where you can sleep next to the bedroom of the elephants. It’s a very unique experience to see how they sleep and hear them snoring, trumpeting and yes … even farting at night.
Besides sleeping with the elephants, they also offer different experiences to interact with the elephants (all ethical), which you can also book without staying overnight.
Tip: book your night between the elephants here.
Plettenberg bay
Plettenberg Bay is a place that you should not miss. Here we have had one of our most unforgettable experiences ever: snorkeling with seals. The seals are super playful and curious. An activity that you should definitely do during your trip through South Africa.
Bloukrans Bridge
The Bloukrans Bridge is a 216 meter high bridge and an iconic landmark located along the Garden Route. This bridge is known as the world’s highest commercial bungee jump. Its location in this beautiful environment, makes it the perfect place for an unforgettable bungee jump experience. It is definitely an experience you must have had once in your life (at least, if you’re not afraid of heights).
Even if you are not into bungee jumping, it is definitely worth stopping at the this bridge to enjoy the beautiful view, the impressive bridge and watch other people jumping.
Tsitsikamma National Park
Tsitsikamma National Park is a must-visit destination if you love nature and hiking. This national park is full of dramatic landscapes, beautiful hiking trails, stunning views, endless beaches and suspension bridges.
The Mouth Trail is the must-do trail. This hike takes you to the Storms River Mouth, where the Storms River meets the sea. You can explore the area via the suspension bridges and walkways, providing incredible views of the river, the gorge and the crashing waves.
You can also explore the Storms river during a kayak tour, allowing you to experience the beauty of the river up close into the breathtaking gorge.
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Addo elephant park
It’s time to go wildlife spotting! Addo elephant Park is the third largest national Park in South Africa. This park is home to 600 elephants and many other animals. If you are lucky, you can even see the Big Five!
These are some of the animals we saw at Addo Elephant Park: Elephant, Buffalo, Dung Beetle, Kudu, Nyala, Spotted Hyena, Zebra (a lot of them), black-backed Jackal, special birds, … .
You can explore this park both on a self drive or on a game drive. We recommend doing a self drive in this park. The main road has a distance of 64km, so you can actually do it in one day.
Hotel Tip: One of the most unique places we stayed was at Once Upon a Dome in Port Elizabeth. It is the perfect place to stay on your way to Addo Elephant Park. It is a stargazing dome, with a hot tub, chill net, barbecue… literally everything you could wish for.
2 – 3 week alternative: The next part of the route depends on how much time you have.
You can either take a domestic flight between Port Elizabeth and Durban, to save time and continue this route in St Lucia. Alternatively, you can drive and add some stops like Lesotho, Sani Pass and/or Drakensberg.
As we had 4 weeks, we have chosen to drive and make a stopover in Drakensberg.
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Extra: drakensberg
The Drakensberg, also known as the Dragon Mountains, is a majestic mountain range of approximately 1,000 kilometers, located in both South Africa and Lesotho. It forms a natural border between the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
It offers a wide range of outdoor activities and hiking trails. The most famous places for hiking in the Drakensberg are Cathedral Peak and the Drakensberg Amphitheater.
At the Drakensberg Amphitheater, you can hike to the Tugela Falls, which with its 948 meters is the highest in the world. It is a beautiful, but exciting walk, as you have to climb 2 chain ladders of 20 and 40 meters.
You can read more about this hike in our blogpost about the Tugela Falls hike.
Hotels
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Camps Bay
Cape town
Cape Town
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St lucia
One of our most favorite places in South Africa is St Lucia. It is a quiet and cozy village with only one access road, making it one of the safest villages in the country. The only danger in this village are the hippos that roam the streets at night and come to graze in the gardens.
Some of the highlights in and around St Lucia are:
1. Croc & Hippo Boat tour – This is a guided tour on the river where you will see some hippos and crocodiles!
2. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park – A game reserve with the big five!
3. St Lucia Estuary – You can see some crocodiles here!
4. iSimangaliso Wetland Park – A wildlife park with four of the big five, they only don’t have lions.
You can find out more specific information about this cozy town in our blog post about what to do in and around St. Lucia.
Hotel Tip: If you are looking for the most unique stay in St Lucia and you love glamping, we can highly recommend Urban Glamping. You literally feel in the middle of nature in the middle of the village.
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Eswatini
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a small country, neighboring South Africa. It can be perfectly combined with your trip through South Africa.
This country has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its traditional Swazi customs and ceremonies. The Swazi people take pride in their cultural traditions, including vibrant dances, music, beadwork and handicrafts. It is also home to various cultural villages, where you can experience the original Swazi culture. These villages provide opportunities to learn about traditional practices, try some local cuisine, witness cultural performances and interact with Swazi people in a traditional setting. A must-do if you ask us!
Hotel Tip: We can highly recommend staying at Mantenga Lodge. It is located in the Eswatini Valley, in the middle of nature. It is the perfect base to visit the Mantenga Nature Reserve, Culture Village and the Mantenga falls.
Kruger national park
The biggest and definitely the most famous National Park in South Africa, is Kruger National park. It is home to all Big Five animals: elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos. Additionally, you can find over 500 bird species, numerous antelope species, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, hyenas and many other wildlife species in this park.
The park is divided into two major parts: the Great Kruger and the private game reserves. You can either explore the Great Kruger on your own, during a self drive. Or you can stay at one of the private lodges and explore the private game reserves during private game drives.
You can find more detailed information in our complete guide about Kruger National Park.
Hotel Tips:
Our favorite private lodge was definitely Rukiya Safari Camp. Here, you stay in comfortable safari tents in a peaceful and stunning environment, with lovely staff, wonderful service and delicious (that’s even an understatement) food!
If you are looking for a very unique place to stay around Kruger National Park, you can stay in one of the treehouses of Pezulu Treehouse Lodge. If you’re lucky, a curious giraffe will come and say hello while you’re taking a shower in your outdoor bathroom.
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Panorama Route
The Panorama Route is one of the most beautiful roads in South Africa. This scenic route takes you through some breathtaking landscapes, along many interesting stops, such as waterfalls and viewpoints. The perfect base to explore the Panorama Route is Graskop.
You can find more information about the whole Panorama route, including the most beautiful stops in our blogpost about the Panorama Route.
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