14 DAYS SOUTH AFRICA: HIKES AND BEACH

Welcome to South Africa, nayimkelekile, baie welkom! As you walk out of O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg – Africa’s biggest and busiest airport – you head straight to your rental car pick-up place. This is where your adventure begins! This self-driving journey is all about freedom: explore at your own pace, tailor your days with exciting activities, and decide when to stop and soak it all in. With our travel guide full of top spots, local tips and charming padstalls, you’re set for an unforgettable road trip...!

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver The City Lodge Hotel - O.R. Tambo International Airport
• Gold The Residence Boutique Hotel
• Platinum The Houghton Hotel

Time to swap city buzz for fresh mountain air! The drive from Johannesburg to the charming town of Winterton, gateway to the central part of the Drakensberg, takes just under 4 hours (375 kilometres via the N3 and R74). The Drakensberg is South Africa’s mightiest mountain range that stretches over 1,125 kilometres and towers up to 3,482 metres. Winterton, nestled in its foothills, is a historic pioneer town and a popular base for hikes. This central region is defined by the dramatic Champagne, Cathedral, and Cathkin peaks, offering top trails, trout and bass fishing, and fascinating San rock art. Take time to explore the local museums and monuments before heading further south toward Underberg.

Accommodations:

• Silver Gooderson Monks Cowl Golf Resort
• Gold AfriCamps Champagne Valley
• Platinum Cathedral Peak Hotel

The Drakensberg, South Africa’s highest mountain range, is a hiker’s paradise of rolling grasslands, towering waterfalls, and dramatic cliffs, with nearly 940 square miles recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its valleys echo with the calls of baboons, and its caves hold over 35,000 ancient San rock paintings, making it one of the world’s greatest outdoor art galleries. The views? Simply breathtaking. With dozens of trails spread across the northern, central and southern Drakensberg, there’s a hike for everyone – from easy rambles to all-day treks. Most hotels provide trail maps and transfers to the starting point, and you can find detailed routes, guided options and expert advice online.

Accommodations:

• Silver Gooderson Monks Cowl Golf Resort
• Gold AfriCamps Champagne Valley
• Platinum Cathedral Peak Hotel

The scenic drive from Winterton to Underberg takes 2 hours and 45 minutes (230 kilometres) via the N3 and R617. Leave after breakfast for a relaxed afternoon in Underberg, or enjoy one last hike before packing up. Nestled in the foothills of southern Drakensberg, Underberg is the gateway to the Sani Pass and Lesotho and any nature lover's paradise with lush farmland, winding rivers and the dramatic peaks of Giant’s Cup. In winter (June to August), the area often turns into a snowy wonderland. Breathe in the crisp air, soak up the sunshine and unwind with a drink in one of Underberg’s cosy pubs and restaurants.

Accommodations:

• Silver The Old Hatchery
• Gold Sani Valley Lodge
• Platinum Fairview Hotels, Spa and Golf Resort

Craving some real adventure and a new passport stamp? Take a full-day 4×4 trip up the epic Sani Pass into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. The journey starts in Underberg and winds up the rugged southern Drakensberg via hairpin bends, dramatic cliffs and jaw-dropping views. A guided tour is your safest bet – your experienced driver handles the tricky gravel roads while you sit back and enjoy the scenery. At the top, you'll cross the border into Lesotho, visit a traditional Basotho village and step inside mud-and-dung huts to learn about life in the highlands. Then you head out to Africa’s highest pub, where a Maluti beer and home-baked bread tasting (with incredible views) await. After soaking it all in, you’ll head back down the pass and return to Underberg by dinner. A true bucket-list day!

Accommodations:

• Silver The Old Hatchery
• Gold Sani Valley Lodge
• Platinum Fairview Hotels, Spa and Golf Resort

Get ready for a longer drive today – but your destination makes it worth the effort! The most direct route from Underberg to the Hluhluwe iMflolozi Game Reserve takes just over five hours (465 kilometres), taking you north via Pietermaritzburg and then along the N2. Your reward? Big Five sightings in one of South Africa’s oldest and most storied game reserves. Once a royal hunting ground for Zulu kings and home to Stone Age settlements, this reserve is rich in both wildlife and history, with plenty of rhinos as your icing on the cake!

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver Emdoneni Lodge
• Platinum Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge

The journey from the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve to the golden beaches of St Lucia is a short one; just over 50 kilometres and about 45 minutes via the R618, heading past Nongoma to the Nyalazi Gate (Umfolozi section). Then get ready to snorkel vibrant coral reefs, soak up the sun, and sip some sundowners with your feet in the sand. Just be sure to arrive before nightfall… the local hippos like to wander the streets after dark!

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver Leopard Corner Lodge
• Gold At Heritage House
• Platinum Makakatana Bay Lodge

The coastal town of St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal is surrounded by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and is a nature lover’s paradise. Think wild coastal forests, golden beaches, abundant birdlife, and free-roaming hippos – yes, they stroll the streets at night! Add to that year-round tropical weather, warm Indian Ocean waters, and an unbeatable mix of adventure and relaxation, and you’ll want to stay longer than just a day. Snorkel at Cape Vidal, cruise with crocs and hippos on the estuary, or even milk a goat at a local cheese farm. St Lucia is wild, wonderful, and waiting!

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver Leopard Corner Lodge
• Gold At Heritage House
• Platinum Makakatana Bay Lodge

The coastal town of St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal is surrounded by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and is a nature lover’s paradise. Think wild coastal forests, golden beaches, abundant birdlife, and free-roaming hippos – yes, they stroll the streets at night! Add to that year-round tropical weather, warm Indian Ocean waters, and an unbeatable mix of adventure and relaxation, and you’ll want to stay longer than just a day. Snorkel at Cape Vidal, cruise with crocs and hippos on the estuary, or even milk a goat at a local cheese farm. St Lucia is wild, wonderful, and waiting!

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver Leopard Corner Lodge
• Gold At Heritage House
• Platinum Makakatana Bay Lodge

The total distance from St Lucia to King Shaka International Airport is 212 kilometres, so it shouldn't take more than 2.5 hours to reach your destination via the N2 highway towards Durban. Enjoy those last views of impressive coastal plains and wetlands. It's a relatively short drive so if you still have a few hours to spare, you might want to insert a quick visit to Durban (another 20 kilometres from the airport, but towards the other side) before you return your car and check in. Depending on which airline you booked your return flight with, you embark on the flight home immediately, or on a domestic flight towards Johannesburg first (as most transcontinental destinations are only served from O.R.Tambo International Airport).

Activities: