Travelling for the first time? How to choose a route in Southern Africa that’s right for you

Southern Africa offers an extraordinary variety of travel experiences, yet deciding where to go first can be overwhelming. Whether you crave wildlife, culture, or dramatic landscapes, choosing a route that suits your preferences will make your first journey memorable and manageable.

If you are new to overland travel, the Garden Route in South Africa remains a popular introduction. Stretching about 300 kilometres from Mossel Bay to Storms River, this route features well-maintained roads and diverse scenery. From indigenous forests and lagoons to rugged coastlines, the Garden Route balances adventure with accessibility.

Towns like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay offer comfortable lodging and opportunities to try local cuisine. This route works well for travellers who prefer a structured itinerary with plenty of amenities nearby.

For those drawn to wildlife, the Kruger National Park and its surrounding reserves provide a classic first-time safari experience. Accessed via the N4 highway, the park spans nearly 20,000 square kilometres and offers excellent road networks for self-driving safaris. The choice between rest camps and bushveld lodges allows flexibility in comfort and immersion.

Travelling through Kruger offers regular wildlife sightings from elephants to lions, all set within the dramatic Lowveld landscape. It is ideal for first-timers wanting both ease and excitement.

If you seek a more off-the-beaten-track adventure but are cautious about remote conditions, the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga is a fitting choice. The 250-kilometre loop links towns such as Graskop, Sabie, and Hazyview, weaving through escarpments, waterfalls, and the iconic Blyde River Canyon.

Roads are tarred and well-signed, making navigation straightforward. Along the way, cultural highlights include local markets and traditional arts. This route suits travellers who want natural beauty with reliable infrastructure.

Namibia’s Skeleton Coast Route is an option for more adventurous first-time travellers who have some experience with gravel roads and self-sufficiency. The stretch from Swakopmund to Torra Bay runs parallel to the Atlantic Ocean and is known for its eerie shipwrecks and desert dunes. The remoteness demands preparation - adequate fuel, water, and communication devices are essential.

Despite its challenges, the route rewards with dramatic landscapes and unique wildlife such as desert-adapted elephants. It is best suited for travellers comfortable with solitude and unpredictability.

The Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast is another route rich with culture and natural splendour. This rugged coastal stretch from East London to Port St Johns features rolling green hills, secluded beaches, and Xhosa villages. The roads can be narrow and sometimes gravel, but the experience offers a slower pace and authentic encounters. Visitors can hike the iconic Hole in the Wall rock formation or visit the Umngazi River for river mouth views. This route is for travellers who appreciate local culture and off-grid exploration.

Consider practical factors such as vehicle type, time available, and season.

For example, the rainy season (November to March) can make certain gravel routes impassable. The N2 highway, linking Durban to Cape Town via the Garden Route, remains open year-round and is often recommended for beginners. Choose a route with regular access to services if this is your first trip.

When deciding, reflect on what you want to gain. Are you after wildlife sightings, scenic drives, cultural exchanges, or a combination?

Many travellers find blending routes rewarding - starting on the Garden Route before heading inland to Kruger or Mpumalanga. This variety offers a comprehensive introduction to Southern Africa’s diversity.

To summarise, choosing your first route requires balancing ambition with realism. Southern Africa’s roads offer countless possibilities, but planning around your comfort and interests ensures the journey itself becomes part of the reward. Thoughtful preparation, respect for local conditions, and an openness to discovery will make your first trip one to remember.

• 𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚜𝚞𝚋𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚘𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠𝚜, 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚌𝚝 𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚊 𝚟𝚒𝚊 𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚕 (𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚘𝚛@𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚕𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍.𝚌𝚘.𝚣𝚊).
• 𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚜, 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚘𝚛 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚎𝚗𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜, 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚌𝚝 𝙰𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚟𝚒𝚊 𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚕 (𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚗@𝚒𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚞𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚊.𝚌𝚘𝚖) 𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚊 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚜𝙰𝚙𝚙 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎.