Circling the country
Have you ever just wanted to take your off-roader and drive right around the country? With this monster of an itinerary, you pass through all nine provinces and 12 of South Africa’s best-known off-road destinations in a single circular route.
The route is almost 10 000 km long and you stay away as far as possible from capitals, highways and tar roads; instead you aim for back roads, dirt roads and 4x4 twin tracks. Along the way, however, there are plenty of big towns where you can buy supplies for the next leg of your journey.
You could drive the entire route continuously, but also each of the different stages separately – we indicate the minimum distance and recommended days for each leg.
The route is shown counterclockwise here, but you could drive it in the opposite direction, too. In addition, you could leave from anywhere, but for this article we start and end in Johannesburg. This itinerary is only a route description and doesn’t include overnight stays, as each region has its own number of attractions, alternative back roads and interesting places to turn your back on the main roads. Besides, everyone has their own preference of how far they like to travel and where they want to sleep, but if you stay more or less on this route, you can explore South Africa from top to bottom and side to side within 50 days.
Fill up your long-distance tank and make sure the fridge works. We’re going to be on the road for a while…
KALAHARI AND AUGRABIES
The first 540 km from Gauteng is unfortunately on the N14 highway. Granted, it’s not a great start, but it’s the quickest way to get to the Kalahari.
In Kuruman, head northwest on the R31 through the towns of Hotazel and Vanzylsrus to Askham. Here, the R360 takes you along the Nossob River northwards to Twee Rivieren, the entrance to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Give yourself plenty of time here to search for the park’s iconic lions on the dirt and sandy roads
