Country of Contrasts Road Trip: Cape Town, Garden Route, Wild Coast, Kruger National Park, & More - 15 Days

Highlights

• Follow famous Route 62 to the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn
• Catch a wave in Jeffreys Bay and the beach towns of the Wild Coast
• Pay a visit to Nelson Mandela’s childhood home in Qunu
• Learn about Zulu traditions in KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
• Drive the Panorama Route between Kruger and Johannesburg

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town

Welcome to South Africa! Arrive at Cape Town International Airport and transfer to your accommodation to unpack and unwind. After you settle in, spend the rest of your day exploring the city. 

Known as the 'Rainbow Nation,' Cape Town and South Africa have a long and complicated history involving a multitude of ethnic and cultural groups. The area's history starts with the indigenous Khoisan and Bantu people, who were the primary residents of the area until the Portuguese and Dutch arrived in South Africa, beginning a centuries-long occupation. 

These days, South Africa is home to a diverse population. Roughly 80% of South Africans are of Bantu ancestry from a variety of ethnic groups, each with a distinct language. The remainder of the community is made up primarily of European, Asian (Indian, Chinese, and others from the formerly enslaved and indentured population), and mixed-race (Cape Coloured) ancestry. 

After checking in to your accommodation, spend the afternoon relaxing, taking in the views, and exploring the town. In the evening, head to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Shop for art and crafts at the expansive Watershed market, visit the Two Oceans Aquarium to explore underwater life, or enjoy a harbor cruise as you watch the sunset. Other options include the Diamond Museum, which explores the history of the diamond rush in South Africa, or a helicopter flight to see Cape Town's sights from the sky. 

For dinner,  choose from a variety of restaurant and bar options.

Day 2: Cape Town to Oudtshoorn

Get an early start in the morning, then head east on the famous Route 62 towards Oudtshoorn, a five-hour drive from Cape Town. Modeled after America's Route 66, Route 62 brings its own unique South African flair and distinct local character. 

More than just dive bars, farms stalls, or small country towns, Route 62 is also the Western Cape's longest wine tour. Stop along the way to sample port-style wines as you wind your way across the scenic landscape.

One of the highway's legendary attractions is Ronnie's Sex Shop, a roadside bar and restaurant located about three hours from Cape Town. Legend has it that in the 1970s, local farmer Ronald Price set about opening a roadside produce sign, complete with a proudly handpainted sign. Mischevious friends took it upon themselves to amend the sign, ultimately convincing Ronnie to scrap the farm stand idea and open a bar for highway travelers. 

Forty years later the bar's quirkiness doesn't end with the sign. Inside, the entire room is decorated with traveler's graffiti, donated neckties and bras, and a random assortment of other oddities. As well as a restaurant, Ronnie's offers overnight accommodation, a pool with landscape views, and good old-fashioned respite from the dusty road.

Arrive in Oudtshoorn in the evening. As you drive along the highway, you'll pass by countless ostrich-filled paddocks, colorful feather stalls, and show farms. Palatial sandstone homesteads dot the landscape, a throwback to a time when ostrich feathers were worth more than gold.  

A stop at the Cango Ostrich Show Farm offers a glimpse into the farming industry and gives you the chance to come face-to-beak with the world's biggest bird. 

Round out your day with ostrich steaks or kebabs at one of Oudtshoorn's many eateries and experience the region's legendary hospitality for yourself. If you get the chance, make sure to try the Karoo lamb—it's delicious.

Day 3: Oudtshoorn to Sedgefield, Cango Caves

Spend the day exploring the underground limestone chambers of the Cango Caves with one of two guided tour options. Choose the Heritage Tour to check out the cave's stalactite and stalagmite formations, as well as remnants of Khoikhoi paintings. If you're up for a thrill, take the Adventure Tour instead, which navigates a series of tight squeezes and narrow limestone chimneys.

Continue to the nearby towns of Wilderness and George, located an hour away on the coast. Cool off from the drive with an afternoon canoe paddle and breathe in the fresh, clean air. The area borders national parks, and there are plenty of opportunities for bird watching and wildlife viewing. 

Tonight's destination is the tranquil coastal town of Sedgefield, a quick 15-minute drive along the coast. Find the perfect place for a sundowner as you watch the sun sink below the watery horizon, then hit the hay for a restful night's sleep.

Day 4: Sedgefield to Jeffreys Bay, Active Adventures

Beautiful landscapes and adrenaline-filled adventures go hand-in-hand today. Start your day with a relaxing stroll on the beach in Knysna.

Make your way to the postcard town of Plettenberg Bay, an hour away on the coast. From here, continue east for half an hour along the coast to Bloukran's Bridge where daring travelers leap into the gorge on the world's highest commercial bridge bungee jump. If you're feeling adventurous, try the 708-ft (216 m) jump and experience the thrill for yourself.

If you would rather keep your feet on solid ground, head to the thick forests of nearby Tsitsikamma National Park for a hike. The hike to Tsitsikamma’s suspension bridge is short but steep, and it's worth the effort for the panoramic views. 

Leave the Garden Route behind you as you drive the hourlong trip to the town of Jeffreys Bay, known as South Africa's quintessential 'Surf City.' Take a surfing lesson, hang with the locals, or hit the shops along the main street promenade for a relaxing evening on the coast.

Day 5: Free Day in Jeffreys Bay

Spend a free day in the coastal town of Jeffreys Bay. With some of South Africa's best surfing waves, it's no wonder that most of the town's leisure activities revolve around the water. Learn to surf at one of the town's many surf schools or test your skills with the locals. For a bargain shopping experience, visit J'Bay's Surf Village's factory outlets, then visit the JB Surf Museum to learn about the evolution of the surfboard. 

If surfing isn't your thing, head inland to explore the multitude of hiking trails that line the coast. Other options include horseback riding on the beach, stand up paddle boarding, and scuba diving. If you're an avid beachcomber, visit Jeffreys Bay Shell Museum to see one of South Africa's largest collections.

Day 6: Jeffreys Bay to Chintsa, Addo Elephant National Park

Leave the coast behind today as you drive inland for an hour. Your first stop is Addo Elephant National Park, the third-largest of South Africa's 19 national parks. Keep an eye out for Africa's giants as well as other members of the Big 5 as you navigate the dusty dirt roads in search of wildlife. 

After departing Addo, head further northeast into the Eastern Cape province. Cross the last of the scenic Cape Fold Mountains, then continue into the arid landscape of the east. These mountains criss-cross South Africa from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape and are distinguishable by their sandstone curves—a tell-tale sign of tectonic plate activity 350 million years ago. 

The drive from Addo to the coastal town of Chintsa takes around three hours. As you near the coast, the landscape changes to grassy, rolling hills peppered with herds of cattle and clusters of round homes. This region is known as the Wild Coast, one of South Africa's most undeveloped areas, and is famous for its remote landscapes and laid-back vibes.

Day 7: Free Day in Chintsa

Enjoy a quiet and leisurely free day in Chintsa. It's the perfect opportunity to slow down: no commitments, nowhere to be, no errands to run. While away the hours in a hammock with a good book or go for a stroll or a run along the picture-perfect coastline. 

More active options for today include horseback riding on the beach, learning to surf, practicing yoga in the forest, and hiking in the area. Meet with a traditional healer to learn more about the local Xhosa culture or spend the afternoon taking in the ocean views.

Day 8: Chintsa to Coffee Bay, Nelson Mandela Hometown Visit

Hit the road today for a journey through South Africa's history and politics. Head to Qunu, a quiet rural area where Nelson Mandela—South Africa's first black president—spent his childhood. The drive there takes about two hours from Chintsa. Tour the region and hear stories from a local guide as you learn about the legacy of one of the country's most influential men. 

After the tour, drive through the former Xhosa homeland as you ponder the legacy of Madiba (Mandela's tribal name). Your destination for the night is the town of Coffee Bay, another postcard town located 1.5-hours away on the coast.

Day 9: Coffee Bay to Drakensberg

Sweeping landscapes define South Africa's Wild Coast, and you'll get the full experience of its diverse landscapes today. Wake up overlooking a river estuary and the Indian Ocean, then hit the road for the six-hour journey through wild hills, remote villages, and increasingly lush farmlands. Your destination is the foothills of the mighty Drakensberg Mountain Range (known as uKhahlamba in Zulu and Maluti in Sotho). 

Stop along the way at the Nelson Mandela Museum in Qunu. Learn more about the South African hero and view a collection of Mandela's presidential gifts before heading north to Sani Pass in the Drakensberg. 

Day 10: Hiking or 4x4 Ride in Drakensberg

Spend the day exploring the area's spectacular scenery. Whether on foot or on a 4x4, the views are incredible. Meet up with a local guide to explore the area's scenic trails on foot, or head up to Sani Pass with a 4x4. Here, where South Africa meets Lesotho, you can look out over two countries and take in the beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains. 

Enjoy local cuisine for dinner.

Day 11: Drakensberg to Dundee, Culture & Nature

Leave the mountains behind today and drive through one of South Africa's favorite weekend playgrounds, the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The area is mostly used for farming, with dairy, beef, and maize farms dominating the landscape. Small family-run farm stalls offer plenty of opportunities to stop along the winding country roads. 

Before heading out on your drive today, stop and visit a Zulu family. Although the Eastern Cape is historically home of the Xhosa people, KwaZulu-Natal welcomes you into Zulu territory. The two cultures and languages are similar, so you might recognize a few words. Nevertheless, key differences set these two groups apart, and this morning is your chance to learn about different traditions and local customs. 

The full drive time is around 3.5 hours, and you'll break up the journey with a stop at Howick Falls, in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal. The falls are incredible any time of the year, but if you visit after the annual rainfall you'll be treated with a roaring cascade of water. Nearby is the famous Capture Site, the location of Nelson Mandela's 1962 arrest by the Apartheid government. A large sculpture marks this site, and it's worth making the quick detour. 

Round out your road trip with a visit to the sleepy town of Nottingham Road for a beer tasting, then continue north to Dundee.

Day 12: Dundee to Nelspruit, Historical Tour

Spend today exploring the region's history. Northern KwaZulu-Natal, particularly the area surrounding Dundee, has a bloody history of conflict. At various times throughout history, the British and Boer colonists and the local Zulu tribes clashed in violent battles in an effort to control the area. Local guides will bring the bloody past to life as they narrate the area's history and explain the events that led to the creation of South Africa as it exists today. 

Start the day at the Talana Battlefields in Dundee, the site of the first battle of the Anglo-Boer War. Tour the impressive museum complex, then move on to the nearby monument that marks the Battle of Blood River. 

Leave the battlefields behind and head north as you pass by the border with Swaziland and make your way into the Lowveld. This low-lying area is dominated by open woodland, grassy plans, and thorny trees—the stereotypical African landscape. 

The total drive today will take just over five hours. Your destination this afternoon is the town of Nelspruit, on the south end of the massive Kruger National Park.

Day 13: Nelspruit to Kruger, Game Drive

Wake up this morning in Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, South Africa's easternmost province. The area derives its name for the Zulu phrase for 'place where the sun rises' , which is appropriate for an early start to the day. After a quick breakfast, hit the road for the hourlong trip to Kruger National Park. 

The sprawling national park covers nearly 8,000 square miles (that's the same size as Slovenia) of diverse landscapes and is home to vast numbers of animals. White rhinos, hippos, antelope, kudu, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, impala, lions, elephants, and more call the park home. 

Travel Kruger's roads on two separate game drives today. In the morning, head out in your tour van as you make your way to your lodge. After a relaxing lunch, head out for another game drive in a 4x4 safari vehicle to catch a glimpse of local wildlife. Fall asleep to the nighttime sounds of the African bush.

Day 14: Kruger to Hazyview, Sunrise Bush Walk

The best way to experience the African bush is to walk through it, and that's exactly how your day will begin. Grab a quick cup of pre-dawn coffee, then head out into the bush with an armed ranger to look for signs and tracks of animals. After a full morning of tracking, return to the camp for a filling breakfast. 

Leave Kruger behind as you make your way to the town of Hazyview, on the southwest side of the park. Keep an eye out for animals as you drive through the park—you never know what you might spot. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon.

Day 15: Hazyview to Johannesburg, Departure

Today's drive is the ultimate ending to your incredible South Africa road trip. The journey from Kruger to Johannesburg brings you through some of the country's most remarkable landscapes and scenic points. 

Start your day with a morning visit to Shangaan Village to brush up on local culture and customs, then hit the road for the drive west. Along the way, stop at viewpoints and natural features to take in the views. Notable stops include God's Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondawels.

Reach the big city lights of Jozi in the evening. From there, catch your flight home.