The 6 Most Stunning Road Trips in South Africa

South Africa boasts an incredible range of landscapes, from glistening coastlines and arid deserts to majestic mountain ranges and rich savannas teeming with wildlife.

Yet, it's not solely the scenery that captivates in South Africa – the rich tapestry of diverse cultures, each contributing unique architecture, traditional dishes, and customs, enhances the experience. Driving allows you the freedom to stop and immerse yourself in this variety at your own pace.

Here’s our selection of the top six road trips across South Africa.

1. Panorama Route

Ultimate Road Trip for High-Altitude Thrills Long Tom Pass to Echo Caves; 193km (120 miles)

Winding through the breathtaking Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga, the third largest canyon in the world, this elevated drive showcases stunning cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests, all while eagles glide overhead, providing ample opportunities to pause and enjoy the scenery.

A short trek leads you to God’s Window, a viewpoint overlooking a vibrant, bird-filled canopy that drops 2745m (9005ft) below. The Three Rondavels, resembling traditional cone-shaped huts, rise majestically, while Bourke’s Luck Potholes offer trails around their unique cylindrical formations, created by the swirling waters of the Treur and Blyde rivers over millennia.

This journey is not solely about nature; charming towns await your visit. Explore historic Pilgrim’s Rest, a living testament to the gold rush era of the late 1800s, with its beautifully restored buildings, including the Victorian-era Royal Hotel, which features a former school chapel called the Church Bar. Graskop is renowned for its pancake eateries and the Big Swing, an adrenaline-pumping experience on one of the world’s tallest cable gorge swings. Meanwhile, the peaceful town of Sabie offers breathtaking natural attractions like Bridal Veil Falls, Lone Creek Waterfall, and Horseshoe Falls.

2. Garden Route

Ideal Road Trip for a Garden of Eden Adventure Mossel Bay to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth); 300km (186 miles)

Winding along South Africa’s verdant Indian Ocean coastline, the Garden Route (N2) stands out as one of the country's most remarkable journeys. Overflowing with lush vegetation, charming coastal towns, unspoiled beaches, and mist-covered mountain forests, this route is a treasure trove of sights and activities in a stunningly picturesque setting.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find a paradise along this road trip, with numerous hiking options including the legendary five-day Otter Trail in Tsitsikamma National Park; surfing opportunities at famed beaches like Jeffreys Bay; and the world’s highest commercial bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge. Camping is a delight, whether you prefer to set up by a gentle river, in an ancient forest, or alongside the vast ocean.

Wildlife enthusiasts flock to Oudtshoorn to explore its ostrich farms, Addo Elephant National Park—home to rhinos, lions, hyenas, and zebras—and Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, which houses over 700 primates in a multi-species free-range reserve. You can even walk alongside wild cheetahs at Tenikwa Wildlife Center. Nature surrounds you, with chances to spot otters, Southern right whales, and the occasional great white shark offshore, as well as countless birds flitting through the trees and darting across the sands.

The oak-lined Goringhaikona (formerly known as George) serves as an excellent starting point for exploration. Other noteworthy towns include Knysna, famous for its oyster farms; the coastal resort of Witsand, which offers water sports, fishing, and whale watching; and Mossel Bay, with a mild climate and a rich cultural history dating back 350,000 years.

Local tip: Witsand Nature Reserve is known for its unique phenomenon—when the weather is hot and dry, the sand produces a melodic sound known as the 'roaring sands,' created by air escaping from the tightly packed grains.

3. Midlands Meander

Ideal Road Trip for Craftsmanship Lions River to Nottingham Road; 27km (16.7 miles)

Exploring the enchanting KwaZulu-Natal region northwest of Durban, the Midlands Meander features five distinct color-coded routes that reveal the beauty of this untouched, lush landscape. Along the way, you’ll encounter breweries and wineries, unique accommodations, farm-to-table restaurants, nature reserves, traditional villages, and a myriad of outdoor activities—though it’s the local arts and crafts that truly capture the heart of the area.

Tucked away in the tree-lined lanes are approximately 160 studios, workshops, and shops, featuring potters, leather artisans, batik creators, and chime manufacturers. One of the most renowned is Ardmore Ceramics in Champagne Valley, which boasts a gallery and studio where local artists craft whimsical, colorful pieces that have found homes in places like Buckingham Palace and the White House.

You can choose from several routes, with Route 4 coming highly recommended. This scenic drive leads you to the Capture Site Museum, the location where Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962. Outside, you’ll find a stunning, shifting sculpture made of 50 steel columns that reveals Mandela’s face from a particular angle. Rawdons Hotel offers an exquisite English-style country estate complete with a duck-filled lake, a brewery, a distillery, and a charming thatched roof. Don’t miss the goat’s milk cheese at Swissland Cheese and the artisanal Belgian chocolates at Chocolate Heaven.

4. Wild Coast

Best road trip for breathtaking ocean vistas East London to Mzamba; 482km (300 miles)

This easygoing drive showcases spectacular, hidden scenery—untouched beaches kissed by the turquoise surf of the Indian Ocean, rugged coastlines, cascading waterfalls, starry night skies, and charming turquoise rondavels nestled on verdant hills. You can cruise through this road trip in one go, but taking the time to explore unveils the true magic of this untamed area. While the primary route is the N2, don't hesitate to veer off to hike, swim, canoe, and fish. A 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended.

The Wild Coast boasts highlights such as Mkambati Nature Reserve south of Port Edward, featuring diverse landscapes like swamp forests, grasslands, and rugged beaches, alongside eland and hartebeest. A cascade of waterfalls tumbles dramatically into the sea. Silaka Nature Reserve, near Port St Johns, is a paradise of exotic lilies, zebras, and wildebeest, while Bulungula Beach is perfect for surfing, fishing, swimming, and canoeing. Though you can drive to Hole in the Wall, a three-hour hike across the grassy coast offers a more enchanting route to this natural rock arch, rich in local legend. The Xhosa name, esiKhaleni, translates to “the place of thunder,” echoing the sound of the crashing ocean through its almost circular opening.

However, the allure here goes beyond nature. As you capture moments of cows lounging on the shores, remember that Nelson Mandela's roots are embedded in these grasslands—he spent his childhood herding cattle. Key sites connected to his legacy include the Nelson Mandela Museum, which encompasses three locations: a museum in Mthatha, one in Qunu where he was baptized and laid to rest, and an open-air museum in Mvezo, his birthplace. This offers a deep connection to this wild and beautiful region.

Planning tip: Most car rental companies offer safety seats, but it's essential to reserve them ahead of time and expect an additional charge.

5. Sani Pass

Best road trip for breathtaking vistas Underberg to Mokhotlong, Lesotho; 9km (5.6 miles)

When it comes to stunning scenery and exhilarating experiences, Sani Pass is truly exceptional. This historic mule path culminates at the heights of Lesotho, and begins as a gentle road adorned with wildflowers. Soon, you’ll tackle a thrilling ascent of 1332m (4370ft) up the majestic basalt cliffs of the Drakensberg mountains, offering views of the lush green midlands and, as you ascend, the breathtaking Khomazana Valley. Numerous pull-off areas allow you to pause and soak in the surroundings.

This journey is not for the timid. The path features sharp turns, steep hairpin bends, water crossings, sheer drops, and no guardrails, with remnants of vehicles that didn't make the trek. Plans are underway to pave the route, but for now, it remains gravel, necessitating a 4x4 vehicle. Fog can obscure visibility, adding to the challenge (and obscuring the views). Thus, above-average driving skills are a must.

The exhilarating ride is truly rewarding as you reach the summit, marking your departure from South Africa and entrance into Lesotho. Celebrate your accomplishment with lunch at the Sani Mountain Lodge—Africa’s highest pub, sitting at 2876m (9435ft) above sea level—before retracing your steps down the same treacherous path you ascended.

Planning tip: Don’t forget your passport when crossing into Lesotho.

6. Highlights of the Cape Loop

Ultimate road trip that truly delivers Begin and conclude in Cape Town; 160km (99 miles)

The Cape Peninsula, located south of Cape Town, showcases the enchanting convergence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, quaint fishing villages, pristine beaches, and the historic Cape of Good Hope—all with penguins in tow. The buzz surrounding this loop drive is well-deserved, as it certainly fulfills expectations.

The initial segment of the journey closely follows the picturesque coastline of False Bay. Keep an eye out for whales from August to November. Choose from a variety of stunning white-sand beaches to swim and picnic at, while charming villages like Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek, and Simon’s Town each offer their own unique allure. Just outside Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach is a must-visit for its renowned colony of African penguins, accessible via boardwalks leading to the shore. You could easily spend hours watching these delightful birds, but eventually continue your adventure southward to the Cape of Good Hope.

This area is part of a vast nature reserve where ostriches, baboons, and zebras roam freely among the fynbos, a unique and endangered plant species found only in the Cape Peninsula. Enjoy hiking, beach time, and lunch at a local eatery, but don’t miss the opportunity to head to the southernmost tip of the peninsula at Cape Point, Africa’s southwestern extreme. An easy uphill walk takes you to the historic lighthouse, or you can ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular.

Traveling north along the Atlantic Seaboard reveals secluded villages such as Hout Bay (where you can embark on a seal excursion to Duiker Island) and Chapman’s Peak, which features a 5km (3-mile) toll road offering breathtaking views of the bay and ocean. Many consider it to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world.

Wend your way back to Cape Town, seizing your final opportunities for some beach time at Camps Bay and Clifton.

Insider tip: Alongside the breathtaking views from Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope lighthouse, don't miss Bloubergstrand for an unobstructed perspective of Table Mountain.