Scenic routes
Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 March 2011 08:12 Written by Helga McLeod Monday, 01 March 2010 17:43
South African holidays - sights and activities - Scenic routes
South Africa is perfect for a road trip. With scenery ranging from mountainous winelands or Namaqualand wildflowers to coastal garden routes, travelling isn't done until you've been on the road. These routes are also famous for their fantastic accommodation options, restaurants and arts and crafts.
Wine routes
Paarl Vintners
Worcester Winelands
Helderberg Wine Route
Constantia
Route 62 (the longest in the Western Cape)
Tip: set a day aside for a half/full day tour of the Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek vineyards. Going with a Tour means you can enjoy the excellent eating and drinking these magnificent farms offer.
Other Routes Not to Miss
The Ivory Route (Limpopo Province)
West Coast Route (from Cape Town to Velddrif) includes quaint fishing villages like Paternoster and Stompneusbaai and of course Velddrif where art, good food, friendly people, birding and nature awaits visitors. Susan Kemp's brilliant blog Velddrif News http://velddrifnews.blogspot.com/ provides all the information (with regular updates) to get you excited - make sure to visit it regularly.
The West Coast Mission Village Route (an hour from Cape Town, include missionary-established towns of Ebenhaezer, Goedverwacht, Mamre, Papendorp, Rietpoort, Vanrhynsdorp, Vredendal, Wittewater & Wupperthal).
Cape Town to Bloemfontein (N1) and on to Gauteng through the Great Karoo.
Cape Town to Garden Route to P.E. (N2). This popular drive is along the Indian Ocean drive or R62 country route - both gorgeous.
Port Elizabeth to Durban (N2). The former Transkei is one of the most beautiful places on earth and a cultural delight. Drive via Umtata to KZN.
Port Elizabeth to Colesberg (N10) - via the Garden Route to the N1 and Cape Town or Johannesburg, or alternatively past gorgeous Graaff-Reinet.
East London to Bloemfontein (N6) - From the Indian Ocean coast to the N1 to Johannesburg / Pretoria and to the N3 to KwaZulu Natal.
Durban to Ermelo (N2) to Kruger Park. To the game reserves of KwaZulu Natal and Maputaland's North and up to Ermelo and the Kruger Park.
Johannesburg to Mpumalanga (N4) to Kruger. From Johannesburg (& Pretoria) to the Kruger National Park, including the Blyde River Canyon region.
Johannesburg to Durban (N3) - driving along the Drakensberg mountains and highland parks.
Johannesburg to Musina (N1) takes you through the Northern Province to the Zimbabwean border, including the Magoebaskloof area.
Messina to Bulawayo to Victoria Falls (A6). A gorgeous but tiring drive passed Bulawayo to the Victoria Falls. Including Matoppo Hills, Great Zimbabwe and Hwange NP.
Pretoria to Botswana to Windhoek (N4) - a scenic drive from Pretoria to Sun City, then the TranstoKgalagadi Highway through Botswana and on to Windhoek.
Cape Town to West Coast to Springbok (N7) along the West Coast up to the Namaqualand in the far northtowest. Best done in spring when the countryside is covered with wild flowers.
Springbok to Kalahari to Johannesburg (N14), via Upington, the Kalahari basin and Free State, including the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Springbok to Keetmanshoop to Windhoek (N7), through the Namaqualand and southern Namibia, including Luederitz.
Windhoek to Etosha National Park to Rundu (B1) - a stunning trip through central and northern Namibia up to the Etosha park, Ovamboland and Kaokoveld.
Rundu to Victoria Falls (B8) via the Caprivi strip to Katima Mulilo and ending up at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe - including the Chobe NP in Botswana.
Please check with your contact person the status on malaria, fitness required, age preferences and accommodation.
South Africa has fantastic holiday accommodation represented here should you wish to combine a road trip with overnight stays.
Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites
