In the beginning of December in South Africa, the long school summer holidays start, which often means: everywhere is fully booked! Anyone who, wants to visit the country at this time regardless, has to book accommodation well in advance and should consider taking the itinerary suggested here. It goes mainly along the various coasts of the country. Starting in Cape Town, it heads first up the West Coast. At this time of the year, one can even swim in the usually very cold waters of the Atlantic. Afterwards, a turn into the Cedarberg Mountains is possible. But the beautiful hiking routes should, at this hot time of the year, be considered only by heat-tolerant people. The route carries on through the wine areas of Paarl and Stellenbosch and leads back to the coast. It is the ideal time for swimming and hiking along the Garden Route. Use the opportunity for excursions into the inland to Oudtshoorn (ostrich farms) and, near Port Elizabeth, to the Addo Elephant National Park. Since the Kruger Park and the big game parks in Natal should ideally not be included at this time of the year, one can view elephants and other game in the Addo Park. The journey goes on through the former Transkei, through Durban, to the north-west into the Drakensberg. Here one has to count on almost daily thunderstorm - spectacular and violent, but short. Nevertheless, high summer is, at this altitude, quite pleasant. One can have a refreshing splash in one of the clear mountain streams of the Royal Natal National Park. The Natal Midlands are recommended for a relaxing break. On the way to Johannesburg, one should have another break in the Willem Pretorius Game Reserve. It is relatively small, but has a great number of game (no lions), and due to the altitude, the climate is pleasant. A stay in Johannesburg marks the end of the journey.

Itinerary:
Cape Town - Cape Peninsula: Southern Tip = 60 km
Southern Tip - Cape Town = 60 km
Cape Town - West Coast N.P. (Saldanha) = 80 km
West Coast N.P. - Lambert's Bay = 180 km
Lambert's Bay - Clanwilliam = 70 km
Clanwilliam - Paarl = 200 km
Paarl - Stellenbosch - Franschhoek = 70 km
Franschhoek - Mossel Bay = 340 km
Mossel Bay - Oudtshoorn = 80 km
Oudtshoorn (via Wilderness) - Knysna = 120 km
Knysna - Port Elizabeth = 280 km
Port Elizabeth - Umtata = 550 km
Umtata - Coffee Bay = 90 km
Coffee Bay - Umtata = 90 km
Umtata - Durban = 440 km
Durban - Pietermaritzburg = 80 km
Pietermaritzburg - Giant's Castle = 140 km
Giant's Castle - Royal Natal N.P. = 160 km
Royal Natal - Golden Gate N.P. = 140 km
Golden Gate - Pretorius Game Reserve = 200 km
Pretorius Game Reserve - Johannesburg = 280 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 Travel Routes Menu