Where to go on a 1-week self-drive holiday in South Africa.

If you only have one week here are 3 routes that should consider. Unfortunately, you can’t go on all 3 but any journey you choose promises to be an adventure.

The Drakensberg Mountains

From Johannesburg or Durban, you can loop around Lesotho and experience the best of the Drakensberg in seven days. You’ll need a high-clearance vehicle for the roads east of Rhodes – book two nights there to get the most from this beautiful mountain village. Spend another two nights in Golden Gate Highlands National Park, and a night each in Clarens and Underberg.

Drakensberg accommodation

Cape Town & the Cape Winelands

Cape Town and the Cape Winelands is a classic one-week route. Spend a few days exploring Cape Town and driving the stunning coastal roads around the peninsula. From there you can branch out into the surrounding Winelands, either on day trips, or by booking accommodation nearer the estates. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are excellent bases from which to explore, but there are hundreds of beautiful places to stay throughout the Winelands.

Overberg & the Little Karoo

The Overberg and Little Karoo also make an excellent one-week route from Cape Town. Make sure you drive the coastal R44 past Betty’s Bay, and spend a night or two in Hermanus and Cape Agulhas, the southern tip of Africa. From there you can visit Bontebok National Park or Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve (both are excellent) and, if you have time, the caves and ostrich farms in Oudtshoorn. If not, cut north through the Langeberg Mountains at Riversdale, then head back west on the R62, with a night in Barrydale or Montagu on the way. Most travellers opt for booking a rental with 4×4 hire South Africa to accommodation their trip to South Africa

Here are interesting things to do around South Africa: