South Africa`s scenic and cultural diversity, coupled with its sheer size, makes it an ideal destination for touring holidays. The question facing visitors, first-timers in particular, is just what to include on the itinerary.
Those with three weeks to spare might like to consider following this “Classic Tour”. For travellers with less time, it can be broken down into stages of one week at a time.
Even for those who are already familiar with South Africa, this route planner might provide holiday touring ideas.
The distances outlined can easily be accomplished in one day. Nobody, particularly youngsters, wants to spend long stretches in a car – so daily journeys of 400 km (250 miles) are an exception.
Take the opportunity to take in the sights en-route, look out for the �Suggested side-trip� ideas.
Many UK tour operators will tailor-make an itinerary to suit your wishes. This “Classic Tour” may give you some thoughts to help you outline your requirements. Alternatively tour operators� own itineraries might match sections of this tour.
Day One – Johannesburg
Johannesburg International Airport to city centre Johannesburg (N12, 25km).
Visit Gold Reef City, a re-creation of a turn-of-the-century mining town. There�s the chance to descend 220m underground into the old Crown Mine, which today still contains gold. Bars, restaurants and shops all reflect the old, pioneer town atmosphere – this is a good place to buy exquisite jewellery.
For a fascinating insight into the cultural history of South Africa pay a visit to the Africa Museum near the Market Theatre.
Suggested side-trips: A guided tour of Soweto – with its Mandela Museum as well as jazz clubs and bars known as shabeens. Visit the Lesedi Cultural Village to get a real impression of the diversity of African culture. It�s north of Lanseria airport on the R512. Just follow the signs.
Pretoria
Or drive to Pretoria (R21, 50km).
Take a city tour through the administrative capital of South Africa also known as “the Garden City” or “Jacaranda City”. In October more than 60,000 purple-blossomed Jacaranda trees are in full bloom.
At the Voortrekker Monument the story of the �Great Trek� is depicted on a 93m marble frieze. There are breathtaking views of the city from the Union Building, the seat of Government. Other interesting sights include Paul Kruger House (home of the famous president of the former Republic of the Transvaal); Melrose House, the Victorian-styled villa where, in 1902, the Anglo-Boer War peace treaty was signed; the Transvaal Museum; and Pretoria Art Museum.
Day Two – Nelspruit/Sabie
From Johannesburg take the R22 to Waterval Boven, then on to the N4 to Nelspruit, just before Nelspruit is the R40 turning for White River. Before White River turn left onto the R537 for Sabie.
From Pretoria take the N4 to Nelspruit. Then follow directions above.
The drive on the N4 passes mainly through the grass-covered plains of the Highveld, until you arrive at Waterval Boven, where you begin the descent of the Great Escarpment. After only a few kilometres the opulent green Lowveld opens into the valley of the Eland and Crocodile Rivers. Nelspruit, the provincial capital of Mpumalanga, lies in the middle of a charming landscape. Here the Botanical Gardens are worth a visit before coming back out of town to head for Sabie.
Suggested side-trips: About 18km on the approach to Nelspruit (six km beyond Montrose) are the Sudwala Caves (14km from the N4), huge stalactite caves, of which only 600 m are open to the public. Nearby you find a Dinosaur-Park with life-size replicas of these prehistoric animals. If you do this excursion, from here you can take the R539/R37 for Sabie.
Day Three – Pilgrim�s Rest, Blyde River Canyon, Aventura Blydepoort
Sabie, MacMac Falls – (R532) Pilgrim�s Rest – (R533) Graskop – (R534) Pinnacle Rock – God�s Window – (R532) Berlin – Lisbon Falls – Bourke�s Luck Potholes – Blyde River Canyon – Hazeyview (210km)
The small city and holiday resort of Sabie is set against the impressive backdrop of the 2,284m high Mount Anderson. Here you will find the world�s biggest plantations of eucalyptus and pine trees. Some 11km from Sabie are the impressive MacMac-Falls.
A few kilometres further is Pilgrim�s Rest, a picturesque former mining village where gold was discovered in 1873. The last mine was closed in 1970 and the whole village has been proclaimed a national monument. Returning on the R533 after the little town of Graskop (10km) you reach the R534, which takes you along the rim of the Great Escarpment.
There are breathtaking views of the Lowveld from the granite outcrop of Pinnacle Rock, and from God�s Window. Back on the R532 (18km) take a trip to the 150m high Berlin Falls, before reaching Bourke�s Luck Potholes (28km), named after the gold prospector Tom Bourke, who discovered them. They are part of the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, where the river has gouged out a canyon 20km long and up to 700 m deep, the third largest in the world. Take the R532 to Graskop, then the R533/R535 to the R40 and head south for Hazyview.
Day Four- Kruger National Park
Hazyview (R536) – Paul Kruger Gate (approx 43km) – Skukuza.
Head for the Paul Kruger gate of the Kruger National Park. Established in 1898 and open to the public since 1927, this is the country�s largest National Park and contains the world�s greatest variety of wildlife species. Information leaflets on all aspects of the park can be obtained at the gates of each camp. The maximum speed limit on tarred roads is 50km/h and on all other tracks is 40km/h, but to make the most of the game viewing opportunities it is best to drive slower – and remember, animals have the right of way. Overnight at Skukuza or one of the excellent private game reserves on the western border of the park.
Day Five-Kruger National Park
Start the day with an early morning game drive, but remember you are only allowed to stop in special areas designated on the map. Skukuza, is the largest camp, known as the “capital” of the Kruger National Park. The central location allows you to explore the park from all directions.
Day Six Kruger National Park-Badplaas
Kruger National Park – (R40/ 38) Barberton – Badplaas (220km).
Early birds still have the opportunity of a game drive and have breakfast before leaving the Kruger Park at the Numbi gate (58km). After eight km you reach the R538 which takes you to Nelspruit (51km). Here you take the N40 to Barberton (45km)
This charming Lowveld town became famous for the great gold rush of 1884. The finds were soon eclipsed by the new discoveries on the Witwatersrand. But a few mines are still operational. Old houses and a museum still bear witness to those heady times.
Drive via the 1,554 m high Nelshoogte Pass to Badplaas, a charming little town with healing, hot spas where the temperature of the waters reach 50�C. Overnight.
Day Seven Badplaas-Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park
Badplaas (R541) – Lochiel (N17) – Warburton – (R33) Amsterdam – (N2) Piet Retief – Pongola – Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park (approx 400km).
Today you drive through the south of Mpumalanga province to KwaZulu-Natal. The approach road to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is a right-hand turnoff from the N2 as you reach Hluhluwe. From the park entrance it is around 15km to the Hilltop Lodge – situated on high ground, providing spectacular views of the lush green hills and, on clear days, even the distant Indian Ocean.
The park is the oldest South African wildlife reserve, established in 1895 to save the rhino from extinction. Once two separate parks, Hlhuluwe and Umfolozi were amalgamated and expanded in 1989 to now form one of South Africa�s largest game reserves. It has many good (although not tarred) roads (maximum speed 40km/h) offering views across the wooded hills and grasslands. The southern Umfolozi region is mostly dry and flat.
Sightings may include white rhino, elephant, zebra, giraffe and various antelope species such as nyala (rarely seen in Kruger) as well as more than 300 bird species.
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