African Self-Drive Holiday Highlights

South Africa is a great sightseeing holiday destination , guaranteed, you’ll only be able to see a fraction of what the country has to offer. The everyday tourist landmarks are a necessity (Table Mountain, Kruger National Park , Sun City ), but a self-drive holiday in South Africa is the best way to take full advantage of your time in the country.

South Africa consists of some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, and it’s almost possible to experience four seasons in one day drive due to the diversity of the flora and fauna of the countryside. The dry plains of the Karoo, for example, are polar extremes from the tropical beaches of Durban’s golden mile.

Wild Coast
Featured Towns: Port St Johns, Hole in the wall, Morgan’s Bay and Coffee Bay. This truly is the Wild Coast. The rural areas of the Wild Coast are remnants of a forgotten time. Untouched in landscapes and minimal in western infrastructure, the scattered villages of the area welcome tourists, and invite you onto their blue water beaches.

Impromptu shore-side soccer matches between locals and tourists are a popular afternoon past time – in between naps of course. A trip to Ndumbi or Coffee Bay will never be forgotten. White sand, blue sea, crayfish by the dozen and priceless sunsets are incomparable to the regular tourist checkpoints – and the Wild Coast requires a ludicrously modest budget. The Wild Coast is a must for lovers of sun, sunshine and relaxation and is the ultimate destination for a South African self-drive holiday.

Garden Route
Featured Towns: Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay, George, Wilderness, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Stormsriver.

Considered one of South Africa’s most picturesque drives, the Garden Route runs along the N2 and stretches from Storms River, in the Tsitsikamma forest area of the Eastern Cape, to Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. The drive is packed with cultural gold mines. The sleepy town of Knysna, for example, is home to numerous significant artists - both local and international. Perhaps Africa’s only remaining steam train, the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, is more to your taste. Or conquering the highest bridge bungee jump in the world at the Bloukrans River Bridge, just outside Plettenberg Bay. The Garden Route is a great cross section of South Africa’s diversity in landscapes, climates and cultures, and a highly recommended South African self-drive route.

Sunshine Coast
Featured Towns: Jeffreys Bay, Port Alfred, Kenton, East London and Port Elizabeth. The Sunshine Coast is situated along the eastern coast of South Africa, and showcases over 500km of the Atlantic Ocean’s finest beaches. Considered the official water sport capital of South Africa, many of these beaches are world famous surfing spots and home to international surfing, yachting and lifesaving competitions. And if you get to know the locals, they may just introduce you to some of their secret surfing spots.

If flora and fauna is more your game, head down to Addo Elephant Park or Shamwari Private Game Reserve for safaris and wildlife tours. The sunshine coast is a perfect continuation from the Garden Route. The trip is an eclectic mix of rural and small town South Africa.

Route 62
Featured Towns: Oudtshoorn, Swellendam, Ceres, Montagu and Stellenbosch. Running between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, Route 62 is one of South Africa’s most interesting and beautiful drives. The route meanders through mostly small towns and farm areas, and is definitely a drive for lovers of the open road. Through the mountain passes and in between ravines, Route 62 is possibly one of the most charming South African self-drive routes.

Ronnie’s Sex Shop is a definite stop along the R62, but don’t let the name fool you. This bar and restaurant, situated in what feels like the middle of nowhere on Route 62, is a South African spangled culture shock, where warm and friendly staff and punters welcome you for a drink and a chat en route.

Route 62 runs right through Stellenbosch, one of the most noteworthy towns in the wine region of South Africa. Wine tasting & tours on Route 62 are around almost every bend, and are an important ingredient in an unforgettable self-drive holiday in South Africa.