Self-drive touring in South Africa offers an exciting way to explore the country’s diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage at your own pace. Officially the Republic of South Africa, South Africa is known as the southernmost country in Africa bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometers of coastline that stretches along the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean, to the north by Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe and the to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini.
With a total surface area of 1,221,037 meters, South Africa stands as the 23rd most populous nation with over 62 million people. The country is a home to several attractions including national parks, reserves, lakes and rivers and all these can be explored during a self-drive experience. In this article, we bring you some of the key points to consider for a successful and enjoyable self-drive trip in South Africa;
Key Destinations for a self-drive in South Africa
Cape Town and the Garden Route
Cape town is the legislative capital, oldest city and the seat of the parliament of South Africa. Part of the city of cape town metropolitan municipality, Cape town is South Africa’s second largest city after Johannesburg and the largest in the western cape. Cape town is known for its harbours, its natural setting in the cape floristic region and for landmarks like Table Mountain, Robben Island, V&A waterfront and the cape winelands.
Still in the city, you can go for Scenic drive in garden route with stops in towns like Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and Hermanus for whale watching.
Kruger National Park
For wildlife lovers, a self-drive in Kruger national park is one of the best decisions to make during your South African trip. The park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa with a total surface area of 19,623 square kilometers in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in northeastern South Africa. Areas of the park were first protected by the government of the South African Republic in 1898 till 1926 when it became South Africa’s first national park. The park is known for protecting the highest population of wildlife in Africa including the big five game – lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and buffalos. Other animals to see in the park include, zebras, giraffes, greater kudu, hippos, impala, hartebeest, common warthog, hartebeest, sable antelope, and others.
Durban and KwaZulu-Natal
Durban is the third-most populous city in South Africa after Johannesburg and Cape Town and the largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Situated on the east coast of South Africa, on the Natal bay of the Indian Ocean, Durban is the country’s busiest port and was formerly known as Port Natal. The city is one of the best places for self-drive safaris with different attractions like Umgeni river, golden beaches, and vibrant Indian culture. Also, in the two beautiful Durban and KwaZulu-Natal cities lies the Drakensberg mountains that are offer amazing hiking trips and stunning landscapes.
For game drives and wildlife watching, you can visit Hluhluwe -iMfolozi national park which is a home to several wildlife species.
Johannesburg
Also known as the city of gold, Johannesburg is another city in South Africa that one shouldn’t miss while going for a self-drive experience. The city is the most populous city in South Africa with over 4 million people and ranked among the largest urban areas in the world. It is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa. While on a trip in the city, explore areas like the Apartheid museum, Soweto, and vibrant urban culture. The city also features Pilanesberg national park known as a malaria-free safari destination.
Eastern Cape
Still on a self-drive in South Africa, explore the eastern cape, one of the nine provinces of south Africa. Its capital is Bhisho but its two largest cities are East London and Gqeberha. The cape is a home to Addo Elephant national park the best place to sight the highest population of elephants and other wildlife species. Also, the eastern cape features the wild coast, a rugged coastline and traditional Xhosa culture.
Practical Tips
Vehicle Rental
As you are making your preparations for the self-drive safari, choose a reliable rental company with good reviews. When visiting national park and rural areas, consider a 4×4 vehicle and ensure that it has comprehensive insurance.
Driving Conditions
In South Africa, remember that they drive on the left side of the road and always observe speed limits and road signs. While in national parks and rural areas, be cautious of wildlife since they always move freely.
Safety
For your safety, keep doors locked and windows closed, especially in urban areas. Avoid driving at night in unfamiliar or rural areas and plan your route in advance.
Navigation
While driving, ensure that you use a reliable GPS or map app for easy identification of places. Consider downloading offline maps in case of poor signal.
Accommodation
As you plan for your self-drive experience in South Africa, ensure that you book accommodations in advance especially during peak seasons. Accommodation options range from luxury lodges and hotels to budget guesthouses and camping sites.
In conclusion, Self-drive touring in South Africa offers the flexibility to explore the country’s diverse attractions at your own pace, providing an enriching and memorable travel experience.