Scenic passes

The Waterberg's R518, Limpopo

Meet the Waterberg Red Beds. These surreal mountains are a highlight on the R518 through the Waterberg, a road that takes you from Mokopane to Marken. more
Mountain passes of the Little Karoo

The mountain passes of the Little Karoo were mostly built in the late 19th century, and they stand as testimony to hard work and great engineering. more
Mountain passes of the Eastern Cape Highlands

The craggy mountain passes of the Eastern Cape Highlands between Lady Grey and Barkly East offer adventure, entertainment and history. more
Chapman's Peak Drive, Cape Town

Chapman's Peak Drive, among the most scenic stretches of road in the world, has been upgraded and made safer to ensure more regular access. more

More about Scenic passes

Cycling the Helshoogte Pass

Mountain bike enthusiasts in South Africa rate Helshoogte Pass as one of the most scenic routes in the country. Hop on your bike and find out why. more

The Swartberg Pass, Western Cape

The Swartberg Pass, linking Oudtshoorn with Prince Albert, was believed a near-impossible job and it bankrupted the first road-builder who tried. Then came Thomas Bain. more

The Prince Alfred Pass, Western Cape

The Garden Route towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay needed to be connected to the interior – the Prince Alfred Pass was the answer. more

1Cape Peninsula at dusk

Surely, one of the most beautiful regions on the planet, the Cape Peninsula is a treasure of mountains, beaches, scenic beauty and protected fauna and flora. Take day trips to its beaches, Table Mountain, Cape Point or immerse yourself in its natural splendour on the trip of a lifetime.

2Garden Route

Lush with evergreen vegetation, beaches, rivers, lakes and friendly towns, the Garden Route is a region of extraordinary natural beauty. Play golf, dine, sunbathe and experience one-of-a kind marine, nature and adrenaline sports activities amid it's dramatic mountain scenery and ancient forests.

3Cape Winelands

Anytime is a good time to tour the winelands in the Cape. Rated among the best in the world, our well-priced wines, and 16 diverse wine routes will leave devotees of the grape spoiled for choice.

4Panorama Route

From beginning to end, the Panorama Route is breathtaking – a joyride of geological wonders encompassing the splendour of the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck potholes, waterfalls, and sweeping lowveld vistas as far as the eye can see.

5Johannesburg to Durban

From the City of Gold, follow the N3 all the way through varied landscapes - Highveld flower fields and farmlands, golden Free State grasslands near Harrismith, and the majesty of the Drakensburg Mountains near Ladysmith. The green hills of the Midlands lead you to Victorian elegance in Pietermartizburg, and your final destination: Durban – South Africa’s Golden Mile of sea, sun and fun. A detour to the Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, and small town stops along the way are de rigueur.

6Johannesburg to Cape Town

Head out on the N1 to the City of Roses, Bloemfontein. All the way, magnificent scenery and small towns filled with history and character beckon. From Beaufort West, spectacular mountain passes, nature reserves and lush farmlands keep you company until you arrive in Cape Town – one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

7KwaZulu-Natal Midlands

Explore Pietermartizburg’s colonial heritage, then head for the Midlands scenic landscapes to explore its art galleries, craft studios, country pubs and bistro’s, old fashioned farm stalls, artisanal and organic farmers, micro-breweries and home-style hospitality.

8Cape West Coast

Absorb the attractions of the West Coast at a gentle pace; relish the unspoiled coastline, acres of wildflowers, birdlife, lakes, fresh seafood and warm hospitality this coastal treasure trove at the southern edge of Namakwaland presents.

9Elephant Coast

In northern KwaZulu-Natal, track the coastline to the World Heritage Site of iSimangaliso - a natural Eden where each season brings fresh wonders: whales in November, turtles in December, world-class scuba diving, and Big 5 reserves in landscapes barely changed since time began.

10Route 62

Laid-back adventurers will relish the world’s longest wine route. Lose yourself for a day, a week or more on a sybarite’s journey of discovery that includes wine tasting, dining, country shopping, homely hospitality and a host of unforgettable characters.

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A Free State tourism attraction is its golden landscapes.
The Richtersveld Community has age-old traditions.
Chapman's Peak Drive in Cape Town.
Kruger2Canyons Biosphere Reserve stretches to the Blyde River Canyon, third largest in the world.
Ciskei Eastern Cape
The Highlands Meander is a fly-fishing paradise.