South Africa’s most scenic routes if you are road-tripping this Easter

SOUTH Africa is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes and scenic routes. Of course, that means you can’t help but make a pit stop to capture the beauty of it all, enjoy a bite or simply take a picture for the gram. Here are some of South Africa’s most scenic routes if you are road-tripping this Easter:

The Garden Route, Western Cape

The Garden Route is a 300-kilometre stretch of coastline in the Western Cape. This beautiful region is famous for its stunning scenery, diverse flora and fauna, and endless activities. The Garden Route is home to lush forests, rolling hills, and incredible beaches. The area is also known for its mild climate, making it a year-round destination.

Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, whale watching, surfing, and zip-lining. The region is also dotted with charming towns such as Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, offering incredible restaurants, cafés, and boutique shops to explore.

The Garden Route is truly a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers, and makes travelling with your vehicle a magical experience.

Below left: The Garden Route, in the Western Cape. | INSTAGRAM

Swartberg Pass, Oudtshoorn

Feast your eyes on the magnificent sandstone strata. The Swartberg Pass is known as one of the world’s top scenic drives, in the Swartberg Mountains. The pass remains a popular attraction, and many local and international tourist make their way to the historical site with its arid valleys and towering peaks.

SWARTBERG Pass in Oudtshoorn. | INSTAGRAM

Sani Pass, KwaZulu-Natal

Sani Pass is an iconic road in Southern Africa. It’s an 18km gravel pass on the road between Underberg in KZN and Mokhotlong in Lesotho. The road may look rough and steep, but the views are unmatched.

It’s best enjoyed using a 4X4. However, that hasn’t stopped two-wheelers from exploring the scenic route. If you’re up for an adventure, Sani Pass is the perfect route.

SANI Pass in Kwazulu Natal. | INSTAGRAM

Long Tom Pass, Mpumalanga

This scenic route is one of Mpumalanga’s famous driving roads. Travellers can see the old road twisting, but most importantly, breathtaking views and vegetation.

Additionally, the route was used for transporting goods from Mozambique to Lydenburg. It was considered dangerous. The tumbling road was known as “Devil's Knuckles” due to so many wagons getting lost on the pass.

However, it’s known for its beautiful scenery; Misty Mountain, a South African Natural Heritage Site, is also on Long Tom Pass, with views across the escarpment and into the Lowveld.

LONG Tom Pass in Mpumalanga.

The Waterberg Meander, Limpopo

This route in the Limpopo Province is also known as “Africa’s Eden” and is a 350km self-drive with soaring mountain peaks, sandstone rock formations, golden savannah plains, forests and river valleys.

The Waterberg Meander leads drivers through the heart of the Waterberg Biosphere. On your journey, you’ll be able to see cultural and historical sites, and most importantly, breathtaking views.

THE Waterberg Meander in Limpopo.