South Africa: 15 Best Places to Visit, Map and Route Guide

Explore South Africa's most iconic destinations across 16 locations, from the golden cliffs of Golden Gate Highlands National Park to the whale-watching routes along the Cape coast. This route spans diverse landscapes including the Kruger National Park, Garden Route, and Drakensberg mountains, covering approximately 12,948 km of scenic drives and natural wonders.

Mode
Places
Start
Golden Gate Highlands National Park
End
Sani Pass
Stops
16
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Golden Gate Highlands National Park — Nestled in the Maloti mountains foothills, offering dramatic sandstone cliffs and natural scenery.
  2. Cederberg Wilderness Area — Located 200 km north of Cape Town, home to Wolfberg Arch and Maltese Cross rock formations.
  3. Ballito — Charming seaside town north of Durban on the Dolphin Coast.
  4. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park — Africa's oldest proclaimed nature reserve, located 280 km north of Durban.
  5. Cape Whale Route
  6. Cape Peninsula — Dramatic southwestern tip of Africa featuring Boulders Beach penguin colony, Cape Point, and Muizenberg Beach.
  7. Panorama Route
  8. Garden Route
  9. Maloti-Drakensberg
  10. iSimangaliso Wetland Park — Sprawling wetland park on KwaZulu-Natal coast with diverse wildlife and Cape Vidal beach.
  11. Cape Winelands — Wine region outside Cape Town featuring award-winning vineyards in Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek.
  12. Royal Natal National Park — Northern Drakensberg park featuring the Amphitheater cliff, Chain Ladders hike, and Tugela Falls (948m).
  13. Cape Town
  14. Kruger National Park — Vast wildlife reserve showcasing Africa's iconic megafauna including lions, elephants, and rhinoceros across diverse ecosystems and savanna landscapes.
  15. Addo Elephant National Park — Major elephant reserve located near Port Elizabeth on the Eastern Cape coast.
  16. Sani Pass — 4x4 adventure route from Underberg connecting South Africa to Lesotho through Southern Drakensberg.

Useful for your trip

Transport
Rent a car for ultimate freedom to explore parks and nature reserves, many unreachable by public transportation.
Transport
Consider renting a high-clearance vehicle if planning to venture to remote areas like Drakensberg and the Wild Coast due to potholes and dirt stretches.
Save money
Keep cash handy as some national roads are toll roads.
Tip
Download the Eskom App to stay informed about planned power outages (load shedding) so you can plan your days accordingly.
Transport
Grab a local SIM card like Vodacom upon arrival for data access throughout your trip, providing extra flexibility beyond Wi-Fi.
Save money
Carry cash for tipping and smaller purchases in remote areas. The South African Rand is accepted in nearby countries Eswatini and Lesotho.
Where to stay
Stay in St Lucia as an excellent base for iSimangaliso Wetland Park with various accommodation options and restaurants; hippos often graze through town at night.
Where to stay
Book Witsiehoek Mountain Lodge if hiking Amphitheater in Royal Natal National Park, as it's the only hotel near this hike.
Tip
Visit Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park via guided day tour from St Lucia that includes breakfast and lunch among the wildlife.
Tip
Take a guided 4x4 tour of Sani Pass from Underberg, a challenging road connecting South Africa to Lesotho with border crossing and a visit to Africa's highest pub.
Tip
Refill water bottles at streams and waterfalls along Drakensberg hiking trails; the water is drinkable.
Tip
Take the Knysna sunset lagoon boat tour or swim with seals in Plettenberg Bay along the Garden Route.

Video on this route

SOUTH AFRICA TRAVEL | The 15 BEST Places To Visit In South Africa (+ Travel Tips)

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