South Africa on your own
Two oceans, vineyards, the Big Five on a self-drive in Kruger and one of the world's finest coastal roads: the continent-country made for a varied road trip.
When to go
Two opposing logics: the Cape region has a Mediterranean climate (dry summer November to March, rainy winter), while Kruger is best in the southern dry season (May-October, concentrated wildlife, malaria at its lowest). The perfect combination: April-May or September-October.
What it costs
One of the world's best value road trips: a compact car from €25-40/day (a 4x4 isn't essential), excellent guesthouses at €50-90, Kruger entry ~€25/day. Budget €2,500-4,500 for two over 15 days excluding flights.
Driving & transport
Left-hand driving on a largely tarred, well-maintained network. Watch-points: no driving at night outside towns, doors locked in cities, nothing visible in the vehicle, and tolls on the major axes. An international driving permit is recommended.
South Africa concentrates on one territory what other countries offer separately: a spectacular metropolis (Cape Town), a mythic coastal road (the Garden Route), a self-drive safari park as accessible as Etosha (Kruger, tarred roads included) and three-thousand-metre mountains (the Drakensberg).
Independent travel here is simple: an excellent road network, accommodation for every budget, moderate costs thanks to the rand. The trade-off: enormous distances between the blocks (Cape Town and Kruger are 2,000 km apart), which force a choice — or a domestic flight — and a sharper security awareness than Namibia, above all in cities.
The destinations that matter
6No. 013 to 4 nightsCape Town and its peninsulaA flat mountain set between two oceans, penguin beaches and the world's most beautiful urban coastal road: Africa's most spectacular city stop.No. 024 to 5 nightsGarden Route300 kilometres of coast between lagoons, primary forest and beaches: Africa's most famous coastal road is savoured slowly, over four or five nights.No. 033 to 4 nightsKruger ParkThe Big Five from your own car, on partly tarred roads: Kruger is the world's most accessible independent safari.No. 042 to 3 nightsDrakensbergA 3,000-metre basalt wall raised above the Zulu grasslands: South Africa's hiking paradise, between two blocks of safari and ocean.No. 052 to 3 nightsRoute 62 and the KarooThe inland alternative to the coast: vineyards, spectacular passes, ostrich farms and the sleepy villages of the Little Karoo — South Africa's Route 66, only better.No. 062 to 3 nightsiSimangaliso and St LuciaHippos grazing the village lawns after dark, wild Indian Ocean beaches and a safari with sand between your toes: tropical South Africa.
Our flagship guide — €44
Guide available“South Africa on Your Own”, the complete edition, is out
10 chapters: day-by-day itineraries, driving and transport, a costed budget and checklists — the same method as our Namibia guide.
The guide is currently written in French — an English edition is in the works.
Explore other countries