Self drive South Africa | self drive holidays in South Africa

Overview

Already tempted by a self-drive holiday? South Africa makes it remarkably easy.

South Africa is one of the best countries in the world for a self-drive holiday—especially if you like your road trips with a splash of wine, a dramatic mountain pass or two, and the occasional penguin colony.

We’ve been crafting tailor-made self-drive holidays in South Africa since 1995. So whether you want a gentle ramble along the Garden Route or something a little more off-grid, we’ll design an itinerary that fits you like a well-packed suitcase.

A self-drive holiday in South Africa gives you all the independence of a road trip—with none of the planning headaches.

You can collect a car in one city and drop it in another, all on a road network that’s built for adventure—not frustration. With quiet roads, superb infrastructure and landscapes that shift dramatically by the day, it’s the ideal place to take the wheel.

Discover South Africa at Your Own Pace

Imagine waking up in the Winelands, winding your way along coastal roads to a ocean side café, and ending the day in a boutique guesthouse surrounded by fynbos. Later on you can hand over the keys and fly into the wild for your safari finale. It’s the best of both worlds!

Cape Town and the Winelands - the Cape of Good Hope, and the iconic Chapmans Peak
Whale Coast & Garden Route - Think beaches, forest hikes, and charming coastal towns
Northern Cape & Namaqualand – For wildflower chasers and silence seekers
Eastern Cape Safaris – An easy drive from the Garden Route, malaria-free and family-friendly
KwaZulu Natal - Excellent value, superb game viewing, loads of variety and rich culture
Limpopo & the Waterberg – Quieter, off-the-radar safari country for the adventurous with malaria free family-friendly escapes

Mix Self-Drive in South Africa with Private Touring

You don’t have to commit to driving the whole way. Many of our clients enjoy a scenic self-drive along the coast or interior, and then fly into their safari lodge for the grand finale. It’s a brilliant way to combine flexibility with indulgence—especially when distances become less manageable or time is tight.

Remember you don’t have to take a rental car for ALL of your safari holiday. Many clients combine self-drive with other modes of transport. They take road or air transfers to their game lodge for their safari. Or enjoy some private touring in Cape Town - to get the lie of the land - before setting off on an easy meander along the Garden Route. What could be easier?

Naturally we believe that using a self-drive specialist to plan your trip is invaluable! We have an intimate knowledge of all the roads in South Africa. Which routes work well and which are a little more tricky. We know what’s a comfortable distance to travel in a day.

Off the Beaten Track Self -Drive in South Africa

Are you keen to head off-the-beaten-track? We have a number of options for more adventurous clients. These are priced with an SUV rental car for higher clearance and good visibility. (You rarely need an actual 4x4 in South Africa but we can advise you depending on when and where you want to go.)

Cape to Kalahari – desert landscapes & solitude

Cape to Namibia - a two-country epic road trip with open horizons and star-filled skies

Zeederberg Trail – remote and rugged with a rich and varied safari offering

Ready to take the wheel?

Start with one of our sample itineraries—or ask us to create something just for you. We’ll plan the route, book the lodges, and you enjoy the ride. If you're ready to hit the road, chat to us

BACK to main Self Drive tours page, or perhaps check out Namibia self-drive?