Self Drive South Africa
Travel Advice

South Africa is arguably the best country in Africa for a self-drive holiday, with excellent infrastructure, well-kept roads and accessibility to the great game parks.

Self-drive Cape Town, Winelands & the Whale Coast

South Africa has a number of routes to travel depending on the length of time available. For short stays Cape Town and the Winelands provide an experience of scenic beauty and great food, wine and hospitality. South Africa is renowned for its wines and the wine region and a self drive tour through this incredibly beautiful part of the country will leave a lasting impression.

Add a few extra days to your wine route tour and experience the whale route. Here you will find something not many people have the privilege of seeing. It must be taken into account however that the whales are only around from July through to November.

Self-drive the Garden Route

The Garden Route is one of South Africa's top tourist attractions. The route is scenically beautiful but it is the variety of attractions along the route that astounds many visitors. From elephant-back riding to wave riding and the world's highest bungee jump to black-water tubing the Garden Route has something to offer everyone.

The Garden Route is an ideal family holiday destination but at the same time catering for honeymooners or those wanting a romantic and intimate getaway. At the top end of the Garden Route are the malaria-free big game reserves of the Eastern Cape.

Self-drive Panorama Route

On route to the Kruger National Park is a region of exceptional natural beauty - a region of waterfalls, canyons and historical towns. The Panorama Route is situated in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces of South Africa and is one stop away from the Kruger. In fact some visitors stay in places on the Panorama Route and do day drives into the park.

The Panorama Route is home to places such as the Blyde River Canyon, God's Window and numerous beautiful waterfalls. Pilgrims Rest is an old gold mining town and much of the town has been preserved as it was during the days of the gold rush.

Self-drive the Kruger National Park

How can it be possible to drive a sedan car through one of Africa's iconic wilderness areas. The reason lies in the South African National Parks policy of wanting all citizens to be able to experience the country's natural heritage. The authorities set up rest camps with a range of accommodation types and made the roads easily accessible. It may be so that many of the roads in Kruger are tarmac but there are more than enough good dirt roads for those who want to venture a little off the beaten track.

There is something to be said for driving yourself through big game country, albeit on cultured roads. The animals are the same size as in the wildest reaches of the continent.

See the best Kruger Park Self-drive Safaris

South Africa Nature Reserves : Game Reserves and National Parks