South Africa Highlights
Country: South Africa 🇿🇦
País: Sudáfrica 🇿🇦
Страна: Южная Африка 🇿🇦
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Overview
This itinerary combines two of South Africa’s most iconic experiences:
- a self-driven Garden Route road trip from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) to Cape Town
- a classic safari in Kruger National Park
It is designed for travelers who enjoy independent travel, dramatic landscapes, wildlife, and long scenic drives. A rental car is essential for the Garden Route — without it, the itinerary does not make much sense.
The route can be adapted to trips from 12–14 days up to 3 weeks, depending on how much time you spend in Cape Town and Kruger.
Practical notes
- Rental car: required for the Garden Route
- Driving style: left-hand traffic
- Safety: follow basic precautions (see section below)
- Best season:
- October–April: warmer, greener, ideal for the coast
- June–August: cooler, best for safari and whale watching
- Whale season: July–October (especially Hermanus)
Johannesburg → Kruger National Park (Safari) ▾
Arrival in Johannesburg. If time allows, you may visit key landmarks such as the Apartheid Museum or Nelson Mandela Square.
From Johannesburg, continue to Kruger National Park:
• Domestic flight to Nelspruit (MQP) or Hoedspruit (HDS), followed by a transfer (recommended), or
• Drive ~4.5–6 hours (only for confident and experienced drivers).
Kruger is South Africa’s most famous safari destination and offers excellent chances to see:
• elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and abundant birdlife.
Recommended stay: 2–4 nights.
Both self-drive safaris and guided game drives are available, with rest camps located inside the park.
After Kruger, fly back to Johannesburg and continue to Port Elizabeth to begin the Garden Route.
Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) → Addo Elephant National Park ▾
Pick up your rental car in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha).
Drive to Addo Elephant National Park (~1 hour / 70 km).
Addo is renowned for its large elephant population and is one of the easiest and most accessible safari experiences in South Africa.
Wildlife commonly includes elephants, buffalo, zebras, warthogs, and various antelope species.
Recommended stay: 1–2 nights.
Self-drive safaris are straightforward and well suited even for first-time visitors.
Addo → Tsitsikamma / Storms River ▾
Drive from Addo to Tsitsikamma National Park (~3.5–4 hours / 300 km).
Highlights:
• Storms River Suspension Bridge
• Coastal hiking trails along dramatic cliffs
• Dense indigenous forests meeting the ocean
Optional adventure activities:
• Bloukrans Bridge bungee jump (one of the highest in the world)
• Ziplining and kayaking in Storms River
Overnight in Storms River village or nearby lodges.
Tsitsikamma → Plettenberg Bay → Knysna ▾
Drive to Plettenberg Bay (~1 hour / 85 km).
Plettenberg Bay highlights:
• Robberg Nature Reserve – one of the best coastal hikes in South Africa
• Seal colonies, cliffs, beaches, and open ocean views
• Surfing and swimming (seasonal conditions)
Continue to Knysna (~30 minutes).
Knysna:
• Knysna Heads – dramatic sandstone cliffs at the lagoon entrance
• Sunset lagoon cruises and waterfront walks
Overnight in Knysna.
Knysna → Wilderness ▾
Drive to Wilderness (~45 minutes).
Wilderness is one of the most relaxed stops along the Garden Route:
• Lakes, rivers, and long quiet beaches
• Canoeing and easy hikes in Garden Route National Park
• Calm atmosphere with minimal crowds
Overnight in Wilderness or nearby George (larger town with more accommodation options).
Wilderness → Oudtshoorn (Little Karoo) ▾
Drive inland over Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn (~1.5–2 hours / 120 km).
The landscape changes noticeably from coastal forests to semi-desert terrain.
Highlights:
• Cango Caves – an impressive limestone cave system
• Ostrich farms
• Cango Wildlife Ranch
• Scenic mountain roads through the Little Karoo
Overnight in Oudtshoorn.
Oudtshoorn → Mossel Bay ▾
Drive back toward the coast to Mossel Bay (~1 hour / 90 km).
Highlights:
• Cape St Blaize Lighthouse
• Coastal walking trails
• Historical sites related to early European settlement
• Open ocean views and cliffs
Short stop or overnight stay, depending on pace.
Mossel Bay → Cape Agulhas ▾
Longer driving day (~4.5–5 hours / 350 km).
Highlights:
• Cape Agulhas – the southernmost point of Africa
• Symbolic meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans
Overnight in Cape Agulhas or nearby coastal accommodation.
Cape Agulhas → Hermanus ▾
Drive to Hermanus along scenic coastal roads.
Hermanus highlights:
• Cliff Path Walk along the ocean
• One of the world’s best land-based whale watching spots (July–October)
• Optional whale-watching boat trips
• Optional shark cage diving (nearby)
• Calm coastline and relaxed town atmosphere
Recommended stay: 1–2 nights, depending on activities.
Hermanus → Stellenbosch (Winelands) ▾
Drive to Stellenbosch (~1.5 hours / 120 km).
Recommended stop:
• Stony Point Penguin Colony – African penguins in a natural setting
Stellenbosch highlights:
• Historic town with Cape Dutch architecture
• World-famous wine estates
• Relaxed countryside atmosphere
Overnight in Stellenbosch.
Stellenbosch → Cape Town ▾
Short drive to Cape Town (~1 hour).
Cape Town highlights:
• Table Mountain (cable car or hike)
• Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point
• Chapman’s Peak Drive
• V&A Waterfront
• Robben Island
• Beaches: Camps Bay, Clifton, Muizenberg
Recommended stay: at least 3–5 days.
Cape Town offers exceptional views, food, and culture, making it an ideal place to slow down after the road trip.
Safety notes
South Africa requires awareness, but not fear.
General guidelines:
- Do not walk in city centers at night
- Avoid townships unless accompanied by a local guide
- Use Uber or a rental car instead of public transport in cities
- Never leave valuables visible in parked cars
- In Cape Town, avoid certain areas entirely (e.g., Khayelitsha or Mitchells Plain)
Along the Garden Route and inside national parks, safety concerns are minimal.
Extensions & variations
- Victoria Falls (via Johannesburg)
- Longer stays in Cape Town or the Winelands