10 Iconic African Road Trips Every Adventurer Should Try
Africa is a continent brimming with diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures, and breathtaking wildlife, making it the perfect destination for road trips. From the vast deserts of Namibia to the lush forests of Central Africa, there are countless routes that promise thrilling experiences and unforgettable memories.
Here are 10 road trips every Africa-adventurer should consider.
1. The Garden Route – South Africa
Stretching along the southern coast of South Africa, the Garden Route is one of the country’s most famous scenic drives. This 600-kilometer route offers stunning views of the Indian Ocean, towering cliffs, lush forests, and charming coastal towns.
The journey takes you from the city of Cape Town to the port town of Plettenberg Bay, passing through nature reserves, beaches, and small towns like Knysna and Wilderness. Highlights of this road trip include visiting the Tsitsikamma National Park, hiking through the Knysna forests, and stopping by the seaside village of Nature’s Valley.
Why go? It’s the perfect combination of rugged coastline, tranquil beaches, and rich wildlife.
2. The Trans-Kalahari Highway – Botswana to Namibia
The Trans-Kalahari Highway is a major route that stretches across the Kalahari Desert, connecting Botswana and Namibia.
This road trip offers an exciting opportunity to experience one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes: the vast, arid expanse of the Kalahari.
The route passes through Botswana’s Okavango Delta, where you can spot elephants, lions, and antelopes, before reaching Namibia’s iconic Sossusvlei, known for its towering red sand dunes. The road trip continues to the coastal city of Swakopmund, where you can enjoy adventure sports like dune boarding and quad biking.
Why go? This journey combines an unforgettable desert landscape with diverse wildlife and unique cultural experiences.
3. The Great Rift Valley – Kenya
The Great Rift Valley in Kenya is one of the most iconic geological features on the planet, and a road trip through this vast and stunning landscape is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
The route takes you from Nairobi to the Lake Nakuru National Park, home to flocks of flamingos, and continues to the Serengeti-like plains of Masai Mara, where you can witness Africa’s famous “Big 5” in action. Along the way, you’ll pass by the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and enjoy breathtaking views of lakes, volcanoes, and abundant wildlife.
Why go? A true African adventure, this road trip offers some of the continent’s most scenic landscapes and world-renowned game reserves.
4. The Cederberg – South Africa
Located just north of Cape Town, the Cederberg is a remote and rugged mountain range that offers a peaceful yet thrilling road trip experience. Known for its ancient rock formations, spectacular hiking trails, and fascinating San rock art, this route is perfect for those looking to escape the crowds.
The drive itself takes you through picturesque vineyards, charming little towns, and dramatic mountain scenery. Be sure to visit the Cederberg Wilderness Area, where you can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and a variety of wildlife.
Why go? Perfect for those who seek a mix of adventure, history, and tranquil natural beauty.
5. The Route 62 – South Africa
Often referred to as the “longest wine route in the world,” Route 62 offers an incredible journey through the heart of South Africa’s wine country.
Stretching from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape, this scenic route takes you through picturesque Winelands, mountain passes, and charming small towns like Oudtshoorn and Montagu. Along the way, you can visit historic wine estates, take a dip in the natural hot springs, and explore the famous Cango Caves.
Why go? This road trip combines scenic beauty with South Africa’s rich wine culture and offers a chance to experience small-town charm.
6. The Dunes of Namib – Namibia
No African road trip list would be complete without mentioning the Namib Desert, one of the oldest and most surreal deserts in the world.
The journey through this desert takes you from the coastal town of Swakopmund to the iconic Sossusvlei dunes in the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Here, you can marvel at the massive, crimson-colored sand dunes that rise as high as 350 meters. The striking contrast between the orange dunes and the blue sky is a photographer’s paradise, and the landscape’s eerie beauty will leave you speechless.
Why go? If you’re looking for a surreal, otherworldly adventure, this is the ultimate desert road trip.
7. The Caprivi Strip – Namibia
The Caprivi Strip, or Zambezi Region, is a narrow stretch of land that runs between Angola and Botswana in Namibia. This area is home to dense forests, winding rivers, and abundant wildlife, making it an underrated gem for road travelers.
The route takes you through lush wetlands, where you can spot hippos, crocodiles, and an impressive array of bird species.
Why go? For a more remote and off-the-beaten-path African road trip, the Caprivi Strip offers pristine nature and wildlife.
8. The Coastal Road to Zanzibar – Tanzania
The journey along Tanzania’s coastline to the tropical island of Zanzibar is one of East Africa’s most scenic road trips. Starting from Dar es Salaam, you’ll drive along the Indian Ocean, passing through pristine beaches, fishing villages, and lush coastal forests.
Why go? This trip blends the beauty of Tanzania’s coast with the cultural vibrancy of Zanzibar, offering the ultimate beach and adventure combo.
9. The Swahili Coast – Kenya and Tanzania
The Swahili Coast road trip stretches along the eastern edge of Africa, from Kenya’s Mombasa to Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam, and is one of the most culturally rich and scenic routes you can take. This journey takes you through a series of ancient Swahili towns and fishing villages, where you can explore vibrant local markets, visit historic forts, and relax on pristine beaches..
Why go? Ideal for those seeking a cultural experience along with beautiful beaches and history.
10. The Atlas Mountains – Morocco
The Atlas Mountains in Morocco provide a road trip that offers both natural beauty and cultural immersion. The winding roads through the mountains take you past Berber villages, ancient kasbahs, and breathtaking valleys. From Marrakech, you can head towards the Tizi n’Tichka pass, which provides panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and lush valleys.
Why go? This journey offers a blend of dramatic mountain scenery, cultural experiences, and the adventure of the Sahara Desert.
Final Conclusion
An African road trip is more than just a journey; it’s an exploration of diverse landscapes, wildlife, and cultures. Each of these iconic routes promises a unique adventure and is sure to leave you with lasting memories of Africa’s beauty.
Got any questions or thoughts? Drop them in the comments! And be sure to follow me on my socials as well.
Who am I? Well, the least you can say is that I am quite crazy about Africa, its nature, its climate, its culture, and more.
As a young woman in my twenties, I had already traveled to several African countries by traveling along in an overlander on my own and mostly camping ( or glamping ) and just fell in love with the diversity of it all.
So much, so that at the age of 26, I went back to university to study biology, which, unfortunately, I couldn’t finish because of health reasons (yes, I got sick from a tropical disease, oh cynicism). But this did not stop my dream of traveling back to Africa several times, and I still do.
My dream was back then to leave Europe and go study animal behavior, especially the elephants (sure, that’s every girl’s dream haha), but I am also very much intrigued by hyenas and other “ugly African animals“.
So, I “kind of” have a little bit of a scientific approach to my articles, when I write about African birds, for example. And most of all: the passion.
But life goes on, you move from one side of the country to the other, you get sick again and top it off with lower back problems, and before you know it, you are over 50 hahaha!
Now, I still travel to Africa, but take it a bit “easier” than the good old camping days, and stay in comfortable, yet affordable accommodations, together with my husband Wouter.
These are some of the countries I have traveled to: Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Tunisia, and a little bit of Lesotho LOL .
While clearly not being African territory, but Spanish, I also visited Gran Canaria and Tenerife, and location-wise, I consider them “African”, because of their climate and nature, sue me :-p
The last trip I took was to South Africa in the year 2023, and it sure got the fevers for Africa back! From the Barberton mountains to the Drakensberg and the Southcoast, one month wasn’t enough at all to see the whole country, so we’ll be back! At ease and with a little bit more luxury than in my younger days haha!
