5 GREAT LONG-WEEKEND ROAD TRIPS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

Five great long weekend road trips

Kalahari Red Dune Route

Personally, I love stormy winter days on the coast. While everyone is racing to get their last beach holiday of the summer, head to the Northern Cape for some R&R where there are fewer crowds and plenty of great cultural activities to enjoy like cooking classes, museums and quaint little towns. Check out the Kalahari Red Dune Route for some great ideas for where to stay and things to do while you’re in the area.

Augrabies Falls

Kokerboom Food and Wine Route

Still in the Northern Cape, where the Kalahari and the Nama-Karoo deserts meet, the Great Gariep River (known to most as the Orange River) flows bringing life to the typically arid worlds on both sides, turning the area into an oasis. The Kokerboom Food and Wine Route Route has something for everyone. In addition to visiting the popular Augrabies Falls travellers can relax in hot springs, river raft, go on 4×4 trips, hike, bird-watch, sample local delicacies and wines, touch the unique Kokerboom (quiver tree) and even take a leisurely donkey cart ride through town.

Drakensberg Experience

Drakensberg Experience Route

KwaZulu-Natal is known for its warm weather but places like the Drakensberg can experience snow in the winter months, making it a great Autumn road trip destination. The route is centred on the Drakensberg World Heritage Site, which includes Giant’s Castle and the Central and Northern Drakensberg. With activities like fishing, hiking, bird-watching, quad-biking, horse-riding and even canopy tours, there’s plenty to see and do and, if you time it right, you can still do some camping!

San rock art

West Coast Rock Art Route

A few hours’ drive from Cape Town, the Cederberg Wilderness Area in Autumn is simply spectacular. The days are still warm and the nights just getting chilly – perfect for getting cosy round the campfire at night.  While you’re taking in the beautiful surroundings, check out the San (Bushman) rock paintings in the Cederberg or nearby Nardouwsberg, Koue Bokkeveld and Olifants River Valley – some of the most accessible in the world.

The Clarens Route

Situated just a comfortable three-hour journey from Johannesburg and nestled in the arms of the Maluti Mountain range, Clarens overlooks fertile farmlands amidst stunning landscapes and has become a haven of tranquillity for artists, solitude seekers and nature lovers both from South Africa and abroad. Outdoor pursuits include birding, hiking trails, horse riding, 4×4 trails and trout and bass fishing, to name a few and the nearby Golden Gate National Park is worth a visit, too.

GUIDE TO SOUTH AFRICA

                                             DESTINATIONS...

                        PLANNING YOUR ITINERARY...

                                                                 Go on safari:
South Africa is home to the Big Five – buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino – and a host of other animal, bird and plant species. To see the Big Five, your best bet is to head for the Kruger National Park and its environs in Mpumalanga or Limpopo, where many five-star lodges are located.
You could also opt for the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West, Marekele National Park in Limpopo, or head for any of the private lodges or parks in northern KwaZulu-Natal, which is famous for its rhino population.
Another iconic wildlife experience is the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Northern Cape. It’s a photographer’s paradise and home to the Kalahari black-maned lion.
Arm yourself with binoculars, a good field guide, a dedicated bird field guide, and take to the bush. Your encounter with wildlife big and small will count as among the most thrilling and memorable experiences of your life.


                                                            Soak up the sun:
South Africa has some of the most beautiful, pristine beaches in the world, and Cape Town’s famous beaches, such as Clifton and Muizenberg, along with Durban’s glorious beaches are extremely popular.
If you take yourself off to the Eastern Cape’s aptly named Wild Coast, or northern Zululand’s remote coast, you could well find yourself all alone with just surf, sand and sea to keep you company.
There are Blue Flag beaches, family-friendly beaches, beaches with African penguins, and beaches where you can watch whales breach and blow. And, of course, beaches where you can dive, snorkel, waterski, kayak, canoe or indulge in almost any water-based activity.




                                              Wine country:
Cape Town, iconic Table Mountain, Robben Island and the Cape Winelands are a must on any itinerary, and many visitors start their South African trip at the southernmost tip of the country for this reason.
The Cape Winelands offer unexpectedly lush scenery, the opportunity to sample excellent wines and superior dining in well-regarded restaurants, many of which are on wine farms. Don’t miss a visit to the university town of Stellenbosch and nearby Franschhoek. Hikers will also want to lace up their boots and get out into the spectacular mountains of this region.



                                                 History and culture:
Follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest freedom icons in modern history, such as Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo and Mahatma Gandhi, among many others. There are numerous museums and sites of interest located around Johannesburg and in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
While you’re about it, spend time in Soweto or a city township; visit a Zulu cultural village; admire the intricate beadwork, metal neck rings and unique geometric mural art of the Ndebele people; enjoy the hospitality of a South African farm.
South African rock art is among the best in the world and easily accessible, especially in the Drakensberg.


                                                               Battlefields:

Don’t miss the fascinating battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, where Brit battled Zulu and Boer battled Brit. Other parts of the country to have an interesting battle history include the Eastern Cape, site of the Frontier Wars (also known as the Wars of Dispossession), and the Northern Cape, where parts of the South African War (also known as Boer War) played out.





                                                               Garden Route:
This route takes visitors east along the coast from Cape Town, past spectacular coastal scenery and through indigenous forests surrounding the beautiful town of Knysna. End your Garden Route trip with a visit to the Addo Elephant National Park near Port Elizabeth, where you are guaranteed good sightings of these lumbering giants.


                                                               

                                                              Adventure:
Whether it’s diving with great white sharks, a tandem paraglide flight or backpacking in Big Five territory, there is no shortage of adventure on offer in South Africa. You’ll find the sharks at Gansbaai in the Western Cape, and can book a tandem paraglide from Lion’s Head in Cape Town and hike on foot in the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga or Limpopo with armed guides.


                                                              

                                                           TRAVEL TIP:
Arm yourself with a really good comprehensive guide to South Africa long before leaving home, and tweak and prune until you come up with a personal itinerary tailored just for you and your particular interests.

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK...

KRUGER...

...a palette of Eden

A mass of gold gently stirs. It raises its head and contemplates the vast wilderness... A slow growl emerges from the depth of its being. The king throws back his magnificent mane and lets out his mighty roar.
He is free...
        He is home...

Spanning across the Mpumalanga region into the Limpopo Province lies the Kruger National Park. Here, visitors will encounter indigenous bush sub-tropical lowveld vegetation, fertile valleys, and terraced hills.
The Northern area offers many archaeological and historical sites, such as Masorini and Thulamela.
The park, rich in biodiversity, was established in 1898 and stretches for 350 km from south to north along the Mozambiquan border to where South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe meet at the infamous Crooks' Corner on the influence of the Luvuvhu and Limpopo rivers.

Well known for its diversity of habitat and wildlife, Kruger offers visitors an excellent opportunity to experience close encounters with elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard in a natural unfenced environment. Wild dog, cheetah, zebra, giraffe and a variety of other species are also indigenous to the park. A paradise for the wildlife enthusiast with close to a 150 mammals, over 380 species of indigenous trees, as well as over 500 bird species, the park is a birdwatchers haven.

Become an adventurer and discover

the heart of Southern Africa...

THE CAPE KAROO - BEAUFORT WEST

Beaufort West, the oldest town in the Central Karoo, lies in a area which has been inhabited for centuries. Some of the world's most interesting stone-age sites have been discovered on its outskirts. Khoi-San people once lived here and fine examples of their rock engravings have been found nearby. The farmers arrived in the mid 1700's when Xhosa tribesmen also moved into this area which was once a swamp and is now one of the world's most interesting arid zones.

Beaufort West has fascinating museum based on this world famous operation. A rich and romantic history apanning almost two centuries tell of the Khoi-San who stretched on the rocks of the Nuweveld Mountain while murderous bands of runaway slaves, law-breakers, arms and liquor smugglers hid there.
But Beaufort West has much more than a fascinating history. A successful hydrophonics employment venture supplies fresh and dried herbs to the country's markets and tourists friendly accomodation establishments meet the needs of every taste and pocket.
One of the Western Cape's most well known draw cards, the Karoo National Park, is also right on its doorstep.
Here herds of game and newly intriduced Black Rhino roam peacefully on its beautiful plains.
Beaufort West also boasts a wide variety of beautiful guesthouses, quaint B&B, private guest and hunting farms as well as an array of restaurants.

The Great Karoo has everything to offer for the adventure tourist including walking, kihing, hunting, horse riding, star gazing, mountain biking, 4x4 adventures, quad biking, game safari's and bird watching.



The are also boasts over 9000fauna and flora species, and provides the opportunity to explore fascinating fossils ans to overnight in the veld. Nothing rivals the special tranquillity, space, silence and peace of the magnificent Karoo Plains.

DWARSREVIER - CAPE WINELANDS

The historic settlements of the Dwarsrevier Valley are nestled in a dramatic landscape between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands. Pniel, Johannesdal, kylemore and Languedoc are gems waiting for you to explore them.

A farming area since utch colonial times the Dwarsrevier Valley is as fertile as it is magnificent.

Consider starting your visit to the valley by taking a drive through Kylemore where you can call on local story teller Johannes Brandt, but be sure to call ahead - the rat-race has not yet caught up with the communities!
ontinue your explorations with an easy stroll around the historic "werf" in Pniel with its beautiful church and Freedom Monument.
n the wat to the world famous Boschendal estate with its first rate manor house museum, choice of eateries and award-winning wines., make a detour to charming Languedoc.
Then make your way to the "Museum van de Caab" at Solms-Delta, possibly stopping off at Allee Bleue estate and the Bien Donne herb garden along the way, before finally visiting the Franschhoek Motor Museum at L'Ormarins.

Now that you know what the Dwarsrevier valley is all about you are ready to explore the rest of the Cape Winelands.




BON VOYAGE!!!

MAFIKENG HISTORICAL...

Nobody really travels to mafikeng - or Mahikeng as it is now known - to see the sights, as a true tourist that is. One goes to Mahikeng on business, whether it be on government or commercial business.

Visitors to the capital of the North West Province also arrive in town to play sports, visit friends and family, or to attend a meeting or conference.

To many of the visitors, Mahikeng is simply a city on the edge of North West Province very close to the border of Botswana.



Many do not realize that the city is one of the richest spots in the country from cultural-heritage point of veiw. So the next time you come to Mahikeng take time to explore and learn.

THE HARTSMEANDER...

How often have you travelled through the towns of Sannieshof, Barbarspan, Delareyville, Ottosdal & Lichtenburg with only your end distination in mind?

well this time we decided to stop and meet some of the local talents. We drank tea with artists, ate delicious food and stayed in very comfortable and beautifully decorated accomodation. Follow the Hartsmeander and travel through towns like Delareyville, Coligny, Lichtenburg, Ottosdal and Sannieshof.

Sannieshof is situated on the N14 and is also the gateway to Botswana, Namibia, the Northern Cape and the Kalahari. Each town adds its own charm to this quaint area.

This new addition to the South Africann meander routes, brings a new exciting route for all interested in a self-drive breakaway. Enjoy the numerous arts and craft spots along the route; the v ast openess of this area and incredible sunsets brings out the artist or potter in you.

The internationally famous Barberspan Bird Sanctuary is only a couple of kilometers away from all these towns and a true haven for birds and birdwatchers, in fact for all nature lovers. Fishing is allowed in certain areas at the sanctuary.




For the sun loving family ther is hiking, biking and historical sites aswell as a great scope of accomodation available to suit every taste. Enjoy horse riding or take on the challenge for cly pigeon shooting. Hartsmeander really offers something for all tastes and interests.