South Africa is a country made for road trips, scenic train rides and long, meandering routes that beg for detours, writes Zoë Erasmus.
Laura Alessia / Pexels
Here, the landscape doesn’t politely sit in the background, it performs. Mountains rise suddenly, coastlines stretch endlessly, and small towns surprise you when you least expect it. These are five South African journeys where the getting there is not just part of the plan, but the highlight.
1. Chapman’s Peak Drive, Western Cape
Best by car
Chapman’s Peak Drive is short, but it packs more drama per kilometre than most long-haul journeys. Hugging the cliffs between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, this iconic coastal road delivers uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean, sheer rock faces and winding bends that demand your full attention.
Pull over at one of the many viewpoints, especially close to sunset, and you’ll understand why this drive is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Whether you’re heading to Noordhoek beach or simply looping back home, Chapman’s Peak proves that sometimes the destination is almost irrelevant.
2. The Garden Route, Western Cape to Eastern Cape
Best by road trip
The Garden Route is the classic South African journey and for good reason. Stretching roughly from Mossel Bay to Storms River, this route weaves together forests, lagoons, beaches and charming coastal towns.
The magic lies in the stops along the way: coffee in Wilderness, a forest walk in Knysna, a spontaneous swim in a hidden bay near Plettenberg Bay. Even the roadside farm stalls feel like essential experiences rather than distractions. By the time you reach your final stop, you’ll feel like you’ve travelled through several different worlds.
3. Sani Pass, KwaZulu-Natal
Best by 4×4
Sani Pass is not for the faint-hearted, but that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable. This steep, winding mountain pass connects South Africa to Lesotho, climbing dramatically into the Drakensberg range.
As you ascend, the scenery shifts from green foothills to rugged alpine landscapes, with waterfalls, mist and hairpin bends along the way. The journey demands patience and respect for the terrain, but the reward is immense. Reaching the top feels like an achievement and the views make every nerve-wracking moment worthwhile.
4. The Panorama Route, Mpumalanga
Best by car
The Panorama Route is a masterclass in natural spectacle. Winding through Mpumalanga’s highlands near the Kruger National Park, this journey is packed with landmarks that feel almost unreal.
God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Blyde River Canyon aren’t quick photo stops, they’re moments that slow you down and pull you into the landscape. The road itself is easy to navigate, but you’ll want to give it time. This is a journey where the scenery keeps escalating, making the drive as exciting as any safari that might follow.
5. The West Coast Road (R27), Western Cape
Best by car
The drive up the West Coast is quiet, expansive and unexpectedly beautiful. Leaving Cape Town behind, the city fades quickly into open road, low fynbos and endless skies.
In spring, the route bursts into colour with wildflowers. The rest of the year, it offers windswept beaches, fishing villages and a slower rhythm that feels deeply restorative. Small towns like Paternoster and Langebaan invite you to stop, breathe, and linger longer than planned. It’s a journey that feels less about ticking boxes and more about recalibrating.
Why South Africa does journeys so well
What makes these routes special isn’t just the scenery, it’s the sense of freedom they offer. South African journeys encourage spontaneity: pulling over for photos, chatting to strangers at a padstal, changing plans because the view demands it.
In a country this diverse, the road itself becomes a storyteller. And often, by the time you arrive, you realise the most unforgettable moments happened somewhere between where you started and where you thought you were going.
Sometimes, the best way to experience South Africa isn’t to rush to the destination, it’s to let the journey take the lead.
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