There’s something about spring in South Africa that begs for a road trip. The air is warmer, landscapes are painted in fresh greens and colourful blooms, and small towns hum with new energy.
Here are a few spring road trips where you can enjoy the best of both worlds: vibrant landscapes and stories of the past.
Namaqualand bloom and Calvinia’s sheep heritage
Goegap Nature Reserve/Winfried Bruenken (Amrum)/Wikimedia Commons
Nothing quite compares to the carpets of daisies and succulents that cover Namaqualand in September. Travelling along the N7, you’ll find roadside fields bursting with colour, particularly around Kamieskroon and Springbok.
Once you’ve taken in the spectacle, head inland to Calvinia, where heritage comes alive in a very different way. Known as the sheep capital of South Africa, the town celebrates its farming traditions through the Calvinia Museum and, if you time your trip just right, the annual Hantam Meat Festival. Even if you miss the festival, you can still savour Karoo lamb at a local restaurant, an experience as memorable as the wildflowers themselves.
Darling daisies and theatre culture
Darling/Emily Clickinson/Unsplash
The West Coast is another favourite spring route. Postberg within the West Coast National Park is a kaleidoscope of daisies, and a short drive away lies the town of Darling.
Darling’s charm goes beyond flowers. The town has built a reputation for its theatre culture, thanks to Evita se Perron, where satirical performances by Pieter-Dirk Uys have entertained visitors for decades. Pair the show with a stop at one of Darling’s craft breweries or wine estates, and you’ll have a road trip that blends natural beauty with heritage and creativity.
Cederberg rock art and rooibos heritage
Drive into the Cederberg in spring, and the mountains and valleys are softened by wildflowers. Beyond the scenery, this region offers some of South Africa’s most fascinating heritage experiences.
The Cederberg is home to hundreds of San rock art sites, with some dating back thousands of years. Guided walks take you past ochre-painted caves while sharing the stories behind these sacred images. Clanwilliam, at the foothills of the Cederberg, adds another heritage layer: it is the global home of rooibos. A visit to the town’s rooibos farms or the Rooibos Heritage Route introduces you to the plant that has become a national icon.
Drakensberg blooms and Basotho culture
Maloti-Drakensberg Park, Southern Drakensberg/Arthur Hickinbotham/Unsplash
Spring is one of the most beautiful times to visit the Drakensberg. Clear skies, flowing streams, and mountain flowers create an ideal setting for hiking.
Yet the cultural side of the mountains is just as compelling. Near the northern Drakensberg, you’ll find Basotho cultural villages where visitors can learn about traditional building styles, crafts, and cuisine. Sampling homemade bread and listening to the rhythm of a drum beside the mountains gives the trip a rich, human dimension that stays with you long after the drive home.
Karoo daisies and Graaff-Reinet’s architecture
Graaff-Reinet Museum/South African Tourism from South Africa/Wikimedia Commons
Spring paints the wide-open Karoo with subtle shades of yellow and purple as hardy wildflowers bloom against the arid backdrop. It’s a drive that feels endless and freeing.
Graaff-Reinet, the “gem of the Karoo,” offers a striking contrast to the open plains. With more than 200 heritage sites, the town is a living museum of Cape Dutch, Victorian, and Karoo architecture. Stop by the Reinet House Museum or take a slow walk through town to admire the well-preserved buildings. Pairing the Karoo’s stark beauty with Graaff-Reinet’s architectural heritage creates a layered journey through time.
Eastern Cape landscapes and Xhosa storytelling
Hole in the Wall, Wild Coast/Joshua Gaunt/Wikimedia
The Eastern Cape is often overlooked as a spring road trip destination, yet its rolling hills and unspoiled stretches of coastline are striking at this time of year.
To truly connect with the region, look beyond the scenery and into the heart of its cultural heritage. Xhosa storytelling remains a vibrant tradition, often shared in homestay settings or cultural tours. Listening to folktales passed down through generations while sitting in a rondavel is a travel memory unlike any other, offering both context and connection to the landscapes outside.
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