5 Road Trips to Enjoy Over Easter Weekend 2025

Easter Weekend is one of South Africa’s most popular times for adventurous getaways, with local and international travellers hitting the road to explore the country’s scenic routes.

From the gravel tracks of Kruger National Park to the waterfalls of the Panorama Route, South Africa offers no shortage of epic road trips. In fact, the country welcomed 8.92 million tourists in 2023, a 5.1% increase from the previous year. Locals, too, are reclaiming the roads and returning to some of the country’s best-loved travel spots.

Easter has long been a bumper period for vehicle rentals, and this year is no exception. According to our own data, car rental enquiries peaked in March and April from 2021 to 2023 — outpacing even school holidays and the festive season.

Whether you’re a local family planning a weekend escape or an international visitor keen to explore South Africa’s open roads, now’s the time to book your vehicle. Here are five of the best road trips to take over Easter.

A leopard in Kruger National Park. Photo: Unsplash

1. Kruger National Park (Mpumalanga/Limpopo)

A road trip through Kruger National Park is a rewarding way to experience one of Africa’s top wildlife destinations. The park stretches nearly 400 km from Crocodile Bridge Gate in the south to Pafuri in the north, with different regions offering contrasting landscapes and game-viewing experiences.

The south is known for its tarred roads, good facilities, and high wildlife density — ideal for first-time visitors. The H4-1 and H4-2 roads near Lower Sabie and Skukuza are particularly productive. The central region around Satara and Orpen is open savannah, favoured by predators like lions. In the far north, Mopani to Pafuri offers a quieter, more remote experience, with baobabs, riverine forests, and fewer crowds.

How to Get There:

Drive from Johannesburg via the N4 to reach the park’s southern gates in around four to six hours. Alternatively, fly into Mbombela, Hoedspruit, or Skukuza and pick up a rental car from the airport. Book entry permits online in advance, especially over Easter.

Huts at Storms River Mouth along the Garden Route. Photo: Unsplash

2. The Garden Route (Western Cape/Eastern Cape)

South Africa’s most iconic road trip, the Garden Route stretches roughly 300 km along the N2 from Mossel Bay to Storms River. With beaches, forests, mountains, and small towns all within easy reach, it’s a well-supported and accessible route.

Highlights include Knysna’s lagoon and waterfront, Plettenberg Bay’s coastline, and Tsitsikamma’s rugged forest trails. Nature’s Valley is a peaceful stop, and Wilderness offers lagoons, hiking, and birdlife. At Storms River, explore the dramatic coastal scenery and suspension bridge in the Tsitsikamma section of Garden Route National Park.

How to Get There:

From Cape Town, take the N2 east for 4–5 hours to Mossel Bay. From Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), drive west to Storms River in about two hours. Fly into Cape Town, George, or Port Elizabeth, all of which offer rental vehicles.

The view from God’s Window along the Panorama Route. Photo: Unsplash

3. The Panorama Route (Mpumalanga)

The Panorama Route links some of South Africa’s most iconic natural attractions. The tarred roads between Sabie, Graskop, and Ohrigstad wind through the Drakensberg escarpment, offering spectacular viewpoints, waterfalls, and the vast Blyde River Canyon.

Start in Sabie, visiting waterfalls like Mac Mac and Lone Creek, then drive through Graskop for supplies. From there, God’s Window, Lisbon Falls, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the Three Rondavels are all accessible along the R532 and R534.

How to Get There:

Reach the route via the N4, turning off at Lydenburg (R37) or Belfast (R540). From Johannesburg, it’s a four to six hour drive. Alternatively, fly into Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport near Mbombela for quicker access.

Women walk on the beach at Hole in the Wall in the Eastern Cape. Photo: Unsplash

4. Pondoland (Eastern Cape)

For a quieter, more rugged trip, explore Pondoland – the coastal region between the Mzimvubu and Umtamvuna rivers. The R61 leads inland from Mthatha to towns like Port St Johns, Lusikisiki, and Flagstaff, with side roads leading to remote beaches, waterfalls, and cultural landmarks.

From Lusikisiki, head to Magwa Falls, the tea plantation, or Mkambati Nature Reserve. Highlights include Waterfall Bluff, Hole in the Wall, and the dramatic Wild Coast scenery.

How to Get There:

Drive from Mthatha along the R61. Roads to places like Mbotyi or Msikaba often require a 4×4, especially in wet weather. Fly into Mthatha Airport or drive from Durban via Kokstad (six to seven hours).

Quiver trees in the Richtersveld National Park. Photo: Unsplash

5. The Richtersveld (Northern Cape)

The Richtersveld is one of the most remote and geologically diverse places in South Africa. As part of the ǀAi-ǀAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, it offers rugged mountains, desert flora, and cultural insights into the Nama people’s nomadic traditions.

Off-roading routes, riverside campsites, and stark desert beauty define this journey through the Northern Cape’s 4×4 routes. Easter is an ideal time to visit, with cooler weather and dramatic desert light.

How to Get There:

Drive north from Springbok to Sendelingsdrif, the park’s entry point. A 4×4 vehicle is essential for exploring inside the park. International visitors can fly into Johannesburg or Windhoek and continue overland.

How to Turn 6 Days of Leave Into 15 Days Off

Easter weekend runs from Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April. Freedom Day follows on Sunday 27 April, with Worker’s Day on Thursday 1 May.

Take just six days of leave — 22 to 25 April, and 29 to 30 April — and you’ll unlock 15 consecutive days of travel. It’s the perfect opportunity to make the most of the long break.

Whether you’ve got two weeks or just the Easter weekend, South Africa is ready to be explored. Speak to us to secure your rental — whether it’s a compact hatchback, off-road 4×4, or family-sized SUV. To get started, simply use the booking tool at the top of the page!