There is no doubt that South Africa is one of the most beautiful places in Africa. This country is blessed with a lot of beautiful sceneries, jungles and kilometers upon kilometers of good paved and weather roads. Taking a road trip from Cape Town to Durban is something you must do if you ever set foot in South Africa. You are assured of a good time, despite the long 1700km that you have to cover on roads that are not that super friendly. It is a journey that takes a week or more but it is worth it.
This is the Port of Cape Town in South Africa
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town
Getting ready
Get your car ready. This should probably be an SUV so that it can handle both the bad and the good roads. You can hire one, from some of the biggest car rental names in the world from any of the airports in South Africa. Get everything that you need on a road trip, maybe portable filter water bottles, emergency cases for everyone in the car, dry food, drinks, blankets and first aid kits. Get a good map too, in addition to the GPS in the car. You will need it.
If you live in South Africa and you do not want to hire an SUV, then buy a secondhand one from BEFORWARD. There … problem solved. Then pack everyone in the car and be off to a wonderful 1700 km of great natural scenery such as you will never see anywhere else except Africa.
Starting at Cape Town
Starting at Cape Town, which is a developed city, you meet amazing landscapes and towering cliffs. You can stop and take photos as you enjoy yourself. The dense vegetation is just so appealing to the eye. You come cross clean streams, many indigenous trees, animals, mountains, rivers, vineyards and orchards. What breathtaking scenery!
Ostrich country
After Cape Town, your next stop is Oudtshoorn, which has been aptly named the ostrich capital of the world, with so many ostrich farms. This place also has many interconnected caves called Cango Caves. You will get to learn more about birds like never before. Next to Oudtshoorn is Knysna which is another beautiful place. It boasts of the storms river, a forest feel, Tsitsikamma National Park and the Bloukrantz Bridge. The bridge is a good for bungee jumping if you are a fun of such sporting activity.
Ostrich farm in Oudsthoorn
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oudtshoorn
Addo Elephant National Park is a rich park you come across on your way to Durban. It does not only habour elephants but also lions, buffalos, black rhino, leopards and spotted hyenas.This park stretches from Darlington Dam to Bushman’s River mouth. After this park your next site is East London which has indigenous trees and plants. It also boasts of a museum dedicated to the late Nelson Mandela. However this museum is not usually open during weekends.
The Wild Coast
As you get away from the developed Cape Town, you delve deeper into the rural environment. After East London, you come to the Wild Coast. This place has amazing flora and fauna, Umngazi River bungalows, a riverside pool, a hillside spa and a gym. You will enjoy your beach walks at the Wild Coast. After viewing this awesome coast, Sani Pass is an add-on to your road trip. It has alpine conditions and a winding mountain road. Be patient when driving on the harsh terrain. In addition, Sani Pass road is an entry point into Lesotho.
Hitting the highway means freedom
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oudtshoorn
Himeville is your next stop. As you stretch from here to Durban you come across a lot, from art and craft activities, homes and barns, foothills of Drakensberg Mountains to Moorcroft Manor which is an excellent stopover.
There are so many things to do and see as you enjoy this long road trip. Gear up, buckle up and enjoy Africa.
