South Africa is home to a variety of attractions, many of which are best explored by road. We’ve picked out some of our favourite stopovers that you and the boys can explore on a single tank of petrol.
Cape Town
Tour the Karoo on Route 62
Route 62, SA’s answer to the famous Route 66 in the US, is a scenic route that links Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. A good section of it is made up of a series of small towns that offer breathtaking scenery, quirky pubs and warm hospitality. A must-visit is Warmwaterberg Spa, a mineral hot spring near Barrydale. Further along the route you’ll pass the historic town of Prince Albert, where you can enjoy a cheese tasting at Gay’s Guernsey Dairy. Don’t miss Matjiesfontein, an eccentric outpost that provides a window on the lifestyle and culture of the Cape Colony in the late 19th century.
Wine and dine your way through the Cape Winelands
The Western Cape’s Winelands region boasts several designated wine routes, the most well-known being Stellenbosch, which, after the Mother City, is the oldest town in South Africa. After exploring the town on foot, make your way to the Winelands’ French corner, Franschhoek, and hop on the wine tram, a hop-on, hop-off experience that will see you sampling wine at some of the country’s best vineyards.
Johannesburg
Explore the Johannesburg Beer Route
Whether your preference is a hoppy IPA, a full-bodied lager or a bitter stout, you’ll find your poison along this beer route, which will have you visiting eight incredible South African microbreweries. Make sure to stop off at Afrileaf in Constitution Hill for a tour of a rooftop farm where hop plants are grown hydroponically.
Spot the Big Five at Pilanesberg National Park
Located just a three-hour drive away from Joburg, this 550 km² national park (the fourth largest in the country) offers the perfect opportunity to spot wildlife in their natural habitat. The park is home to 7 000 animals and 360 bird species and is set within the crater of an ancient volcano formed 1.2 billion years ago. Various accommodation options are available, from camping and self-catering lodges to luxury villas.
Durban
Meander across the Midlands
KwaZulu-Natal is home to the Midlands Meander, a cluster of scenic routes that stretch from Mooi River in the north, Hilton in the south, Karkloof in the east and the foothills of the Drakensberg in the west. In the heart of the Meander is Nottingham Road, is a small village that’s dotted with fly-fishing dams, quaint shops and restaurants. One of the town’s major draw cards is Nottingham Road Brewery, which, apart from producing delicious craft beers, also distils its own gin. Make a weekend of it by booking a stay at the charming Rawdons Hotel, also on the premises.
Get your fix at Beaver Creek Coffee Estate and Roastery
Coffee lovers will rejoice at Beaver Creek, the world’s southernmost coffee-growing plantation, located in the small resort town of Port Edward. Learn everything about the process involved in making coffee during a Crop to Cup walkabout coffee tour, which ends in a bottomless coffee tasting. The estate also offers mountain-biking trails that take you through the estate and neighbouring farms.
