Destination
4x4 rentals in South Africa
Garden Route, Kruger, the shark coast. Left-hand driving and friendly prices.
27 routes
South Africa — Garden Route + Kruger by motorhome
Classic South Africa motorhome combo: Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth via Wilderness beaches, Knysna oysters, Addo elephants, and then up to Kruger National Park for Big Five safari. Left-hand driving. Long distances but good roads.
Cape Town, Cederberg and Namaqualand — spring flowers 8 days
Spring loop through northern Western Cape. Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Cederberg (Bushman paintings), Namaqualand (flower carpets Aug-Sep), West Coast NP, back. Three weeks a year, unique phenomenon worldwide.
Cape Town to Victoria Falls — the great Southern Africa
The ultimate African motorhome 4WD traverse. Cape Town, Cederberg, Augrabies, Namibia (Sossusvlei, Skeleton Coast, Etosha), enter Botswana (Okavango Delta, Chobe), Victoria Falls. 4 weeks, 6,000 km, 4 countries. Cross-border letters mandatory. Britz Africa or Bobo 4WD only.
Cape Overberg — whales, penguins and wines 6 days
Short loop from Cape Town. Hermanus (whales), Cape Agulhas (Africa's southernmost point), Stellenbosch (wine). For 6-day getaways or post-Garden Route.
Extended Western Cape — Cape Town, wines and Garden Route
Garden Route extended with the Cape Winelands. Cape Town with everything, Stellenbosch + Franschhoek + Paarl (wine tasting), Hermanus (whales), Mossel Bay, Knysna, Tsitsikamma and Addo. For couples and foodies.
South Africa Northern Cape — Cederberg, Namaqualand and Augrabies
Alternative loop through northern South Africa few travellers do. Cederberg (rooibos and San rock art), West Coast NP, Namaqualand wildflower bloom, Augrabies Falls (Orange River) and back via Cederberg vineyards. Lonely, photogenic and brutal skies.
Cape Town to Victoria Falls — via Botswana
Faster version of the classic Cape Town → Victoria Falls. Cape Town, Augrabies, Kalahari, Etosha (Namibia), Maun (Botswana, Okavango), Kasane (Chobe), Victoria Falls. 21 days through 4 countries.
Cederberg + Namaqualand — Cape's wildflower bloom
Rare natural spectacle: when it rains in July-August, the Northern Cape desert blooms in late August and early September. Cederberg (rock formations and San art), Clanwilliam, Springbok, Namaqua NP, wild Atlantic coast. Only known by insiders.
South Africa coast to coast — Cape Town to Durban 18 days
The great South African coast-to-coast route. Cape Town, Garden Route, Eastern Cape (Wild Coast), Durban. Whales, elephants, surf and Zulu heartland. Pairs with Drakensberg+Lesotho extension.
KwaZulu-Natal — Drakensberg, Battlefields and Zulu coast
KwaZulu-Natal province loop. Durban, Battlefields (Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift), Drakensberg (Cathedral Peak, amphitheatre), Zulu villages, iSimangaliso coast (UNESCO), Hluhluwe-iMfolozi and back. Mix of culture, nature and Anglo-Zulu war heritage.
Drakensberg + Lesotho Sani Pass + Royal Natal
Southern Africa's queen mountain: uKhahlamba-Drakensberg (UNESCO), Royal Natal (Amphitheatre), Champagne Valley, Sani Pass to Lesotho (3,240 m, 4WD required on some sections), South African mountaineering capital. For peak lovers and Basotho culture.
Wild Coast and Eastern Cape — the less touristy South Africa
The wild strip between Garden Route and Durban. Addo Elephant NP, Eastern Cape Wild Coast (Xhosa rondavels, untouched beaches), Hole in the Wall, Coffee Bay and ending in Durban with its Zulu-Indian mix. Secondary roads, green landscape and very little tourism.
Garden Route deep — Cape Town to Port Elizabeth
Real depth Garden Route (not express): Cape Point + Cape Peninsula, Hermanus (whales Jun-Nov), Cape Agulhas (Africa's southernmost), Mossel Bay, Wilderness lakes, Knysna (lagoon), Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma (Storms River bridge), Addo Elephant. Wine, whales, elephants and wild coast.
Garden Route express — Cape Town to Port Elizabeth 8 days
Quick Garden Route version. Cape Town, Hermanus, Mossel Bay, Knysna, Tsitsikamma, Addo Elephant. For combining with Kruger by flight.
Johannesburg to Cape Town cross-country 14 days
The great SA traverse. Johannesburg, Drakensberg (Royal Natal), Lesotho border, Sani Pass (4WD opt), Eastern Cape Karoo, Graaff-Reinet, Cradock, Karoo NP, Cederberg, Cape Town. For those with time who want to cross the country.
Joburg → Kruger direct — express safari
Quick version of the classic Kruger. Joburg → Panorama Route 1 day → Kruger 4 days self-drive → back. For travellers with a week wanting safari without extra flights. Recommend not too tall a vehicle for low branches.
Kruger and Panorama Route — motorhome safari 9 days
Loop from Johannesburg via Panorama Route (Blyde River Canyon, God's Window), Kruger NP (3 days self-driving) and back. Motorhome self-drive safari — the best-kept secret.
KwaZulu-Natal — Hluhluwe + iSimangaliso + St Lucia
Lesser-known KwaZulu-Natal: Durban, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi (Africa's oldest park, white rhino country), iSimangaliso Wetland (UNESCO, hippos, crocs, seasonal whales), St Lucia, Sodwana Bay (diving), Zulu battlefields. Combines safari + subtropical coast.
Mountain Zebra + Camdeboo + Karoo central
Central Karoo, semi-desert Eastern Cape: Mountain Zebra NP (endemic mountain zebra, nearly extinct and recovered), Cradock, Graaff-Reinet (SA's 4th oldest city), Camdeboo NP (Valley of Desolation, rock formations), Nieu-Bethesda (Owl House, outsider art). Dark skies, wildlife and silence.
Classic Namibia — Sossusvlei, Etosha, Damaraland 14 days
Complete Namibia loop. Windhoek, Sossusvlei (Big Daddy dunes), Swakopmund, Damaraland (white rhinos), Etosha NP, Waterberg, back. Real 4WD safari.
Namibia, Botswana and Victoria Falls — Great Southern Loop 21 days
Most complete overland adventure. Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Etosha, Caprivi Strip, Botswana (Chobe), Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Hwange, Bulawayo, Kruger SA, Johannesburg. 4WD required.
Namibia from South Africa — Skeleton Coast, Sossusvlei and Etosha
Cross-border adventure from South Africa to Namibia. Cape Town, Fish River Canyon (2nd largest canyon in the world), Sossusvlei (tallest red dunes on earth), Swakopmund (German colony), Skeleton Coast (shipwrecks), Etosha (Big Four in salt pan) and optional return via Botswana. Cross-border letter required.
South Africa — Panorama Route + eSwatini + iSimangaliso
Comprehensive Northeast loop. Panorama Route with Blyde River Canyon (3rd deepest in the world), Kingdom of eSwatini with Swazi culture, iSimangaliso Wetland Park (UNESCO, hippos and crocs in habitat), Hluhluwe-iMfolozi (white rhinos). Combines culture, wildlife and geology in one trip.
Pilanesberg + Madikwe + Marakele — premium safari near Joburg
Alternative to Kruger by motorhome: three top reserves 3-5 hours from Johannesburg. Pilanesberg (extinct volcanic crater, big five), Madikwe (malaria-free, luxury), Marakele (rhinos and elephants in Waterberg mountains). Good roads, perfect for first self-drive safari.
Stellenbosch + Paarl + Franschhoek — Wine Route
Cape Winelands: Stellenbosch (university and centennial wineries), Paarl (Pearl Mountain), Franschhoek (French food capital), Wine Tram. 200+ wineries in 30 km. Pinotage (South African grape), Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon. Hop-on hop-off Wine Tram all day.
Whale Coast + Overberg — Cape's south
Cape whale coast: Hermanus (Southern Right Whales), Stanford (gin tours), De Hoop Nature Reserve (closest whales worldwide), Cape Agulhas, Arniston, Bredasdorp. Endemic fynbos species, blue cranes, awarded Hemel-en-Aarde Valley wines.
Wild Coast + Eastern Cape — untamed Xhosa coastline
South Africa's most pristine and least touristy coastline between Durban and Port Elizabeth: Hole in the Wall, Coffee Bay, Mthatha (Mandela Museum), Hogsback (forest that inspired Tolkien), Addo Elephant NP. Living Xhosa culture, quality surf and narrow back roads.