Best Routes To Explore During Your South African Road Trip

South Africa is unrivalled for beautiful, scenic drives and travelling by road is one of the best ways to see what the country has to offer.

If you’re a firm believer that it’s not about the destination but the journey, then a South African road trip holiday is a stunning way to explore the diverse region. If so car hire Cape Town is your best bet of affordable vehicle hire.

From the dramatic landscape in the Drakensberg to the beautiful coastal in the Western Cape, South Africa is a smorgasbord of scenery that is just waiting to be discovered.

The Drakensberg – KwaZulu-Natal

The Drakensberg lies in the KwaZulu-Natal Province and stretches over 200 kilometres forming a natural border between Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal. The entire Drakensberg is riddled with incredible waterfalls, rock pools, mountain streams, caves, crisp mountain air and special spaces that draw both visitors to South Africa and locals alike.

The Drakensberg also lies in the 243,000-hectare mountain region that is also a world heritage site – known as Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. Not only does it boast some of the most incredible scenic beauty, but it also has over 600 examples of San rock paintings in caves around the park.

The best and closest car hire is in Durban. You might want to have a look at the 4×4 hire section to conquer those rugged terrains.

Where to stay in the Drakensberg

Drakensberg Sun Resort

The Drakensberg Sun Resort is situated high in the dramatic landscape of the Cathkin Peak area of the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa from where magnificent views and fresh mountain air can be enjoyed.

The resort provides a wide range of activities such as boating, sundowner cruises on the lake, pitch and putt, tennis, squash, volleyball as well as spectacular mountain hikes, guided walks, mountain biking, golfing on the Champagne Sports Golf Course which is situated nearby.

Where to eat in the Drakensberg

The Old Hatchery Restaurant

The Old Hatchery Restaurant is just 10 kilometres from Underberg nestled amongst some hills overlooking rolling farmlands and the Umzimkulu River on the Drakensberg Garden Route. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner on bookings only. However, the restaurant can seat between 25 to 30 people and for the more informal setting they can host about 50 people.

Garden Route – Cape Town

The Garden Route runs along the Western Cape coast from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and it so called because of its abundant plant life. Grootbos Nature Reserve alone has over 750 species of Fynbos. However, the Garden Route is sandwiched between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains as well as the Indian Ocean.

The Garden Route is home to many natural wonders including the Cango Caves, the Knysna Head and some of the most scenic as well as majestic mountains passes in the country. Whether you’re into surfing, bungee jumping or just lying on the beach with a book – the Garden Route has something for everyone. However, it’s a great place to take the family such as Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and Canopy Tours in the Tsitsikamma Forest.

There are many places to visit with very little time, you might want to consider renting a vehicle to utilise your time as best you can. A good place to start looking is car hire Cape Town.

Where to stay in the Garden Route

Beach House Witsand

Beach House Witsand is a luxury beachfront designer villa with direct beach access. The villa offers modern facilities in a self-catering accommodation ideal for families and groups looking to be right on the beach.

The house is ideal for fishing, surfing, swimming or beach walks, kitesurfing and whale watching from the balcony. Visit: http://beachhousewitsand.co.za/wp/

Where to eat in the Garden Route

Ristorante Enrico’s

Ristorante Enrico’s is probably the best Italian fare you will eat on the Garden Route. Perfectly situated in the cosy village of Keurboomstrand, the restaurant has an enormous outdoor section that has views from every angle as well as the warm interior for when that Southeaster blows.

The pizza is too delicious to even describe, as are the focaccia bread known as the ‘bomba’. Other top choices are the Rump Enrico, Kingklip Gamberi or veal dishes.

Activities in the Garden Route

Bungee Jumping

Experience one of the most amazing and pumping experiences of a lifetime when you free fall from the world’s highest bungee jumping plummeting towards the Bloukrans River, 709 meters below you. With the air racing past your face, you will feel more alive, more exhilarated than ever before.

Kruger National Park – Limpopo

The Kruger National Park lies across the provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo in the north of South Africa, just south of Zimbabwe and west of Mozambique.

Kruger is the largest game reserve in South Africa. Nearly two million hectares of land that stretch for 352 kilometres from north to south along the Mozambique border, which is given over to an almost indescribable wildlife experience. Certainly, it ranks with the best in Africa and is the flagship of the country’s national park and home to the Big five members.

If you want to have more control over how you travel and spend your time, you might want to consider car rental. Car hire Johannesburg would be the best place to start looking being closest.

Where to stay in the Kruger National Park

Imbali Safari Lodge

The luxurious Imbali Safari Lodge is picturesquely sited in the banks of the N’waswitsontso River within the private Mluwati concession.

The concession covering 10,000 hectares of pristine wilderness is located in the central region of the Kruger National Park. The lodge reflects the grace and elegance of a bygone era, epitomising the tradition of the luxurious African safari.

Where to eat in the Kruger National Park

Cattle Baron at Skukuza

Cattle Baron aims to offer a unique ambience, superb dishes and a relaxed environment. Signature dishes include the flambéed chateaubriand, the pepper fillet Madagascar, the 600g T-bone and the pork loin ribs, and all main meals are accompanied by creamed spinach and cinnamon butternut. Sunday lunch buffets are also offered by popular demand in many Cattle Barons.

Activities in the Kruger National Park

Activities in the Kruger National Park includes – game drives, nature walks, elephant back safaris, fishing, helicopter flights and many more.

Addo Elephant National Park – Eastern Cape

Addo Elephant National Park is now the third largest national park in South Africa. Addo Elephant National Park has expanded to conserve a wide diversity of biodiversity landscapes, fauna and flora. Stretching from the semi-arid karoo area in the north around Darlington Dam – over the rugged Zuurberg Mountains through the Sundays River valley and south to the coast between Sundays River mouth and Bushman’s river mouth. Addo covers about 180,000 hectares and includes the Bird and st Croix Island groups.

Places to Stay in the Addo Elephant National Park

Gorah Elephant Camp

Experience the breathtaking natural world of Africa merged with colonial nostalgia and modern sophistication, to deliver an unforgettably unique five-star adventure. Gorah is the only private concession and camp situated in the middle of the famous Addo Elephant National Park, home to the densest population of elephants on earth. However, Gorah is malaria-free, has the Big Five members as well as is a member of Relais & Chateaux.

Where to eat in the Addo Elephant National Park

Addo Wildlife Tangelo Restaurant

The Tangelo Restaurant puts a contemporary spin on the traditional South African fare, with a citrus theme reflecting the area’s farming bounty and using local produce as far as possible. It extends into the vast Tangelo Farm-Stall offering an array of “hand-made, down-to-earth food the traditional way”. Read more – http://addowildlife.com/2016/06/13/tangelo-restaurant/

Activities in the Addo Elephant National Park

Activities you will get the opportunity to explore in the Addo Elephant National Park are game drives, nature walks, horse trails, 4×4 trails, hiking trails and marine eco tour.

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