In October, summer is starting in South Africa, which means ideal travelling conditions for the coast and not so pleasant weather in the subtropical regions of the Lowveld. The first leg of the tour goes from Johannesburg to Pretoria, where now the Jacaranda trees are blooming in stunning violet. From there the route goes straight to the coast. The game parks in KwaZulu Natal could be included, although it is quite sultry now and the rainy season in this part is about to start. Here an excursion into the Drakensberg and the idyllic Midlands is recommended, after which you return to the coast. Behind Umtata, the route turns inland again, in order to show you parts of the Karoo near Graaff-Reinet. Back to the coast on the Garden Route, of which you can explore the full length now plus the Overberg coast near Hermanus (it is whale watching season!). From here you can proceed to the Cape Winelands aroundf Paarl and Stellenbosch. A side-trip to the Cedarberg Mountains is possible, but it is already getting too hot for longer hikes there. The rest of the route leads along the fresh Atlantic coast, includes a visit to the West Coast National Park and eventually ends in Cape Town.

Itinerary:
Johannesburg - Pretoria = 60 km
Pretoria - Middelburg = 110 km
Middelburg - Ermelo - Mkuzi G.R. = 450 km
Mkuzi G.R. - Umfolozi G.R. = 130 km
Umfolozi G.R. - St. Lucia G.R. = 80 km
St. Lucia - Eshowe = 170 km
Eshowe - Blood River = 250 km
Blood River - Royal Natal N.P. = 250 km
Royal Natal N.P. - Giant's Castle G.R. = 160 km
Giant's Castle G.R. - Pietermaritzburg = 140 km
Pietermaritzburg - Durban = 80 km
Durban - Umtata = 440 km
Umtata - Queenstown - Graaff-Reinet = 460 km
Graaff-Reinet - Addo N.P. - Port Elizabeth = 270 km
Port Elizabeth - Mossel Bay = 300 km
Mossel Bay - Swellendam - Hermanus = 370 km
Hermanus - Stellenbosch = 90 km
Stellenbosch - Franschhoek - Paarl = 60 km
Paarl - Clanwilliam = 200 km
Clanwilliam - Lambert's Bay = 70 km
Lambert's Bay - West Coast N.P. = 180 km
West Coast N.P. - Cape Town = 180
Cape Town - Peninsula (Cape Point) = 60 km
Peninsula (Cape Point) - Cape Town = 60 km

Travel routes in Southern Africa for different seasons

Depending on the season, different travel routes are favourable for travelling within South Africa. We have put some very interesting itineraries together for you. The time required for each of them amounts to three or four weeks. If you don't have that much time, it is recommended to choose a part of an itinerary, instead of "doing" the country in a rush.

Find detailed information on the different sections of the routes and accommodation along the routes in the Travel Routes Menu