| Like a meandering river, slowly majestically winding its | | | | extreme temperature fluctuations from up to 45 |
| way in a round about route to its final destination. | | | | degrees Celsius in summer to below zero |
| Every drop not knowing where it’s going until it | | | | temperatures at nigh in winter and sometimes in |
| arrives and after arrival there is every trace of its | | | | summer to. |
| journey mingled into every atom. | | | | Kalahari Red dunes routes, for nature lovers. Witness |
| This is what happens when you go on those glorious | | | | the game, bird life and other wildlife while traveling over |
| and relaxing country drives whether it is with a picnic | | | | the rust red dunes of the Kalahari. |
| or just stopping in route there is nothing better than | | | | Kamiesberg Route is where you can find some |
| soaking up all that the country side has to offer. | | | | incredible rock formations, fascinating plant life and all |
| When country side is mentioned, the image that | | | | the wildlife you’d ever want to see. Hire a vehicle |
| comes to mind is of beautiful emerald green hills and | | | | with air conditioning as temperatures can get stifling. |
| soft cloudy days. This is a fantasy the country side is | | | | Richtersfeld route, ever wanted to see the moon? |
| alive and vibrant with textures and hews that dazzle | | | | Well this route come close to it with its desert and |
| the eyes, diversity that’s as unique as an abstract | | | | rocky mountainous landscape. |
| oil painting and beauty that takes your breath away. | | | | Western Cape: |
| In this article I’ll include some of the more interesting | | | | Cape Karoo route, if you’re looking for great |
| drives in each of the provinces in South Africa with a | | | | contrasts and incredible beauty then this is it. The route |
| slight overview of what each drive entails. | | | | takes you through famous towns such as |
| Gauteng: | | | | Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, mountainous scenery |
| The Magaliesberg Circular is a 200km circular route | | | | with contrasts of lush Winelands and semi arid desert. |
| which encompasses the Witwatersrand botanical | | | | There are also many routes in and around Cape |
| garden, Krugersdorp, Krugersdorp Game Reserve, | | | | Town. From the North, South, East, West and central |
| The Sterkfontein caves, Rhino Park, hekpoort valley | | | | routes to further ranging routes such as the Winelands |
| and the Magaliesberg and Hartebeespoort Dam. | | | | route and whale route with each route offering its own |
| The Crocodile ramble route which includes Croc City | | | | special bit of scenery, history and beauty. |
| crocodile farm. | | | | The Cape Garden Route is a beautiful route that is |
| Limpopo: | | | | approximately 800km’s long. It boasts a landscape |
| Soutpansberg birding route, for all those birding | | | | of forests, mountains, water and fynbos, hence its |
| enthusiast and nature lovers. The route includes | | | | name. The best part of the trip is that the route is |
| Eastern Limpopo River valley, Eastern Soutpansberg, | | | | largely untouched by industry so the natural wonder is |
| Kruger national park, North Western Flats, North | | | | immense. The trip will normally take about 4 days but |
| Eastern Venda and the South Western Flats. | | | | you can make it as long or as short as you want to. |
| Ribbola Open Africa Route, for lovers of African | | | | The Cape Town route 62 is characterized by open |
| curious such as arts and crafts. | | | | area and mountainous scenery. It is an inland route that |
| Rixile Open Africa Route, a slow meandering route | | | | stretches about 600km’s and is filled with diversity |
| with mind blowing scenery and unbelievable cultural | | | | and beauty. It is also known as the world’s longest |
| experiences. | | | | wine route going through most of the central wine |
| Zoutpansberg skirmishes route, a definite must for | | | | growing areas such as Paarl, Tulbach, Wellington and |
| those who adore history. Follow the last days of the | | | | many more. |
| Anglo-Boer war in the Zoutpansberg. | | | | The Cape West Coast route. Do you enjoy your |
| Mpumalanga: | | | | fresh seafood, beautiful flowers and much more then |
| Cosmos country route, although this area is one of the | | | | the West coast route is perfect for you. Although |
| biggest mining areas in South Africa, it suddenly bursts | | | | these 2 items aren’t the only pleasures you’ll |
| with pink and white when the cosmos flowers open in | | | | find most Cape Town Locals will name them as the |
| late summer. Some points of interest are that it is | | | | biggest attraction of the West coast route. The route |
| home to the big five and is the only area in the world | | | | stretches for about 600km’s and usually takes |
| that makes petrol out of coal. | | | | about 5 days to complete. |
| The wild frontier route boasting discoveries of some | | | | The Cape Whale route is a route of dramatics where |
| of the oldest life on earth. The area in which the route | | | | you will find or hear about things like the ghost ship the |
| takes place is also known as the cradle of life and | | | | Flying Dutchman which is forever doomed to try and |
| home to the historic towns of Barberton, Badplaas, | | | | round the Cape bend. You will also see things like the |
| Komatipoort and Kaapmuiden. The Mkonja Mountain | | | | wreck of the Birkenhead where the nautical tradition of |
| range is considered of the oldest in the world with its | | | | woman and children first began. Considered to be |
| immense and imposing beauty. | | | | South Africa’s most scenic and interesting drive, |
| The Panorama is a route of what can only be said, | | | | the route stretches for about 400km’s and will take |
| eye candy. Its beautiful backdrops and natural scenery | | | | you about 2 days to complete. |
| draws tourists by the hoards and is generally just one | | | | Eastern Cape: |
| of the most amazing places to visit. It is home to | | | | Tsitsikama Falls Adventure Park, this is a route which |
| places like Gods window and the world’s third | | | | leads you back into the garden route and is home to |
| biggest green canyon, Bourke’s luck potholes which | | | | the highest commercial bungee jump in the world |
| are formed by the meandering river, and lastly of the 3 | | | | (standing at 216m), the highest narrow gauge bridge in |
| rondawels. | | | | the world, South Africa’s first natural marine park |
| Lowveld Legogote is a route where you can find the | | | | and South Africa’s first tree top canopy tour. |
| oldest dolomite caves, Sudwala Caves, in the world, a | | | | Tractor rides and horse trails will astonish you with |
| botanical garden that boasts an African rain forest and | | | | tours into the heart of the forest. |
| what is considered as some of the oldest living plants | | | | The Kouga Route, here you can drive along routes |
| species in the world, the cycads. | | | | with pastoral scenery, beautiful seashell beaches and |
| Highlands Meander boasts some of the sub continents | | | | natural wilderness with national and game parks. The |
| rarest bird species, rock climbing, extravagant wild | | | | route goes past Jeffrey’s bay which holds the |
| flowers and the fly fishing Mecca of South Africa. This | | | | annual Gunston 500 (also known as the Mr Price surf |
| route is definitely meant for those who have a great | | | | classic), St Francis and nearby Cape St Francis where |
| love of nature. | | | | you will witness things such as whale watching surfing |
| The cultural Heartland route is one of those routes | | | | and angling. Along the route you can also see rock art |
| where you can immerse yourself in the culture of the | | | | or the place where Khoi San Sarah Baartman has |
| area, the Ndebele, and experience life in the | | | | been reburied. The story of Sarah Baartman is that in |
| Homesteads of the people. Within the route you can | | | | the 1800’s she was deported to Europe where she |
| also learn more about the Boer war and enjoy some | | | | was put on as a living specimen of native Southern |
| of the best that nature has to offer. | | | | Africa. People were intrigued by the big bottoms and |
| The grass and wetlands route, a bird watchers | | | | coloring of the people. After her death she was |
| paradise, historian’s playground and nature | | | | preserved and housed in France and eventually after |
| lover’s escapade. This route boasts the largest | | | | years of negotiating she was bought back to South |
| freshwater lake in South Africa, with a frog watching | | | | Africa and given a traditional burial. |
| festival in summer and a star gazing festival in winter. | | | | Sundays River Valley route, from beautiful Citrus |
| You can also witness a reenactment of the Boer war | | | | farms to an elephant park. This route will show you |
| annually. | | | | everything from white dunes, lakes and thorny |
| Kwazulu Natal: | | | | bushveld. The biggest attraction being the Addo |
| Apart from beautiful coastlines and vibrant city life the | | | | Elephant Park which incorporates a 120000ha marine |
| Kwazulu Natal countryside is exquisitely beautiful. | | | | reserve. It is the first park that introduces the big 7 |
| The midlands meander is an arts and crafts route that | | | | which are lion, buffalo, rhino, elephant, leopard, Southern |
| was started in 1985. The main aim of the route is to | | | | right whale and Great white sharks. |
| bring people inland for a bit and to show the master | | | | The Sunshine coast route is found within 45km’s of |
| craftsman at their best. Apart from arts and crafts | | | | the city centre of Port Elizabeth. It has a lot to offer, |
| you can also experience incredible lush scenery, | | | | nature reserves with forests and cape fynbos regions, |
| beautiful towns and even a Botanical Garden in | | | | exquisite beaches, picnic areas, place where you can |
| Pietermaritzburg. | | | | safely swim, dolphin and whale sightings and rock |
| The battlefields route boasts the largest concentration | | | | pools. You can also visit the popular Sacramento |
| of battlefields in South Africa and goes out of its way | | | | Shipwreck which occurred in 1647 at Schoenies. |
| to show visitors how South Africa was shaped and | | | | The frontier Country route. A distinct feature of this |
| how South Africa also rocked Europe to its core. But | | | | trail is that it has arid farms that have been saved and |
| apart from battlefields you can enjoy a wonderful sub | | | | turned into big 5 game reserves. The history of the |
| tropical climate, beautiful scenery and wildlife galore. | | | | area is incredible as it is the place where the British |
| The KZN Zululand route gives visitors a unique view of | | | | fought their longest and most expensive frontier wars. |
| the life, culture and history of the Zulu People and | | | | You can visit many towns along the route such as |
| shows how from a minor tribe of the Eastern Nguni | | | | Grahamstown which is known as the city of saints |
| people it became a powerhouse to be reckoned | | | | because of the occurrence of its numerous churches. |
| with. | | | | Karoo heartland route. Sometimes referred to as |
| The Free State: | | | | God’s own Cathedral the heart of Karoo boasts |
| Although this area has no formal routes it has some | | | | open arid plains with vast dolomite spires that’s |
| incredible scenery and a lot to see. The scenery | | | | shadow barely touches sides. A place where 9000 |
| changes from open grass lands to exquisitely | | | | different plant species have adapted to living in the |
| weathered Sandstone hills. It is abound with surprising | | | | harshest conditions and the only other distiller of tequila |
| picturesque valleys and has some definite highlights | | | | outside of Mexico can be found here. Here the spirit is |
| such as the Golden gate national park, Harrismith, | | | | called Algave spirit. |
| Ficksburg (cherry capital of the country), Clocolan (the | | | | The Friendly N6 route which is set of the beaten track |
| centre of SA’s asparagus production), and | | | | is ideal for outdoor activities. Activities on offer are fly |
| Fouriesberg (with stunning scenery and beautiful game | | | | fishing in cold trout streams, hiking on beautiful mountain |
| and national parks). | | | | trails, skiing at the only ski resort in Southern Africa, |
| Northwest: | | | | viewing San rock art and reviving in natural hot springs. |
| Although with out formal routes this is a land of | | | | Guest farms also boast beautiful conical hills, white |
| bountiful splendor with loads of entertainment. Here | | | | rhino, horse riding, hiking and much more. |
| you can visit places like Lichtenberg, which was the | | | | Amathole Mountain escape. For the adventurous souls |
| scene of the last truly great diamond rush. The gold | | | | or for those just seeking peace and solitude then this |
| mining town of Klerksdorp. Pochefstroom with its | | | | is perfect for you. You have abseiling, mountain bike |
| incredible university and learning centers. If you want to | | | | riding, hiking, fly fishing and much more. The setting will |
| take in a bit of fun and entertainment then why not | | | | take your breath away with majestic, forested |
| visit Sun City and the Pielansberg national park where | | | | mountain slopes and that fresh air that tucks you in at |
| the most successful game stocking ventures, coined | | | | night. |
| operation genesis, in South Africa took place. Sun City | | | | The Wild Coast route is one for the ancestors. Here |
| has everything from Casino’s, game rides, crocodile | | | | you can really get back to your routes with untouched |
| farm, golf course (where incidentally the Nedbank | | | | and undeveloped lands and a host of activities. |
| Million Dollar takes place) and hotels to beautiful | | | | Activities include but are not restricted to hiking, horse |
| scenery and exquisite luxury. The North West is also | | | | trails, cliff jumping, salt water fly fishing, canoeing, water |
| an agricultural hub with rolling maize and grain fields and | | | | sports such as surfing, scuba diving and all the good |
| much more produce to be found. | | | | things in life. For those interested in history then come |
| Northern Cape Routes: | | | | and see where Nelson Mandela lived most of his free |
| Augrabies route is a sub-Saharan route with all the | | | | life and find out more about this great visionary leader |
| splendor of a dessert. Witness how animals survive | | | | at the Nelson Mandela museum. |