South Africa Road Trip: A 14-Day Self-Drive Itinerary From Cape Town to Kruger

A South Africa road trip is one of the best ways to see the country at your own pace. Good roads, well-signposted routes and a huge variety of landscapes make self-driving easy and rewarding. This 14-day itinerary combines Cape Town, the Winelands, the Garden Route, Zululand and a Big Five safari, using two hire cars and one domestic flight to cover the distances efficiently.

Itinerary at a glance

• Days 1–3: Cape Town, Cape Peninsula and the Winelands
• Days 4–7: the Garden Route to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
• Days 8–9: fly to Durban, then drive to St Lucia and Zululand
• Days 10–12: a Big Five safari in the Greater Kruger
• Days 13–14: the Panorama Route and Johannesburg

Day-by-day South Africa road trip

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town

Collect your car at the airport and check in. If the weather is clear, head straight up Table Mountain by cable car, because the summit is often covered by cloud later in the week.

Day 2: Cape Peninsula

Drive the Atlantic Seaboard through Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay to Hout Bay (optional boat trip to Seal Island), then over Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the world’s great coastal roads, to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Stop at Boulders Beach to see the African penguin colony, and finish at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

Day 3: The Cape Winelands

Spend the day tasting in Stellenbosch, then cross the Helshoogte Pass to Franschhoek for lunch. Read our Cape Winelands guide and the best things to do in Franschhoek.

Day 4: Route 62 to Oudtshoorn

Take the scenic inland Route 62 through the Breede River Valley and the Little Karoo to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital, and visit the Cango Caves. Continue over the Outeniqua Pass to Mossel Bay or George.

Day 5: Knysna

Drive the N2 along the coast to Knysna, with its lagoon and dramatic Heads. Take a lagoon cruise or walk in the indigenous forests.

Day 6: Plettenberg Bay and Tsitsikamma

Visit Plettenberg Bay’s beaches, then the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park. Cross the suspension bridge at the Storms River Mouth, or watch thrill-seekers leap from the Bloukrans Bridge bungee.

Day 7: Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

Continue east to Gqeberha. If you have time, take a morning game drive in Addo Elephant National Park. Drop your car at the airport.

Day 8: Fly to Durban and drive to St Lucia

Fly to Durban, collect your second hire car and head north to St Lucia, the gateway to iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Take an estuary cruise to see hippos and crocodiles.

Day 9: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Spend the day on a game drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, the reserve that saved the white rhino from extinction.

Days 10–11: Big Five safari

Drive north via Eswatini (or around it) to the Greater Kruger. Check in to a private reserve for guided game drives in open vehicles at dawn and dusk. Consider adding a guided walking safari.

Day 12: Blyde River Canyon

Enjoy a final morning game drive, then drive up the escarpment to the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world.

Day 13: The Panorama Route

Visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels and God’s Window, then drive to Johannesburg (about five hours).

Day 14: Depart

Return your car at O.R. Tambo International Airport.

South Africa road trip tips

• Driving: South Africa drives on the left. Most hire companies accept a valid licence in English with a photo; otherwise you’ll need an International Driving Permit.
• Distances: don’t underestimate them. Avoid driving after dark, especially in rural areas.
• One-way fees: dropping a car in a different city usually costs extra, so factor it into your budget.
• Fuel: petrol stations are attendant-service. Tip a few rand.
• Malaria: parts of Kruger and northern KwaZulu-Natal are malaria areas, so ask a travel clinic for advice.

South Africa road trip FAQ

Is two weeks enough for a South Africa road trip?

Two weeks covers the highlights at a comfortable pace if you use a domestic flight, as this itinerary does. With three weeks you can add the Great Karoo or Eswatini.

When is the best time for a South Africa road trip?

Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) offer pleasant weather across the country. Winter (June to August) is best for safaris.

Prefer a guided tour?

See our 2-week guided South Africa itinerary or our guide to South Africa tour packages.

Want us to book it? Contact us for a tailor-made self-drive package with hand-picked accommodation and car hire.