Africa
47 curated road trips
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LegendaryCape Town & Garden RouteSouth Africa's most celebrated road trip, from Cape Town's two-ocean peninsula along the Garden Route's coastal forest to Storms River. The Cape Point/Boulders Beach loop, Chapman's Peak Drive, the whale nursery of Hermanus, the lagoon town of Knysna, the Tsitsikamma forest's 800-year-old yellowwood trees, and the Bloukrans Bridge bungee jump (the world's highest) are strung along a coast of extraordinary biodiversity.EV-friendly
LegendaryNamib Desert CircuitThe world's oldest desert, 55 million years, and its most photogenic. Sossusvlei's 300m apricot dunes, the bleached bones of Deadvlei, the sand-swallowed streets of Lüderitz's Kolmanskop ghost town, and Fish River Canyon's billion-year-old gorge.SUV onlyOff-road sectionsLoop / circuit
IconicAcross the High AtlasFrom the rose-red walls of Marrakech over the spine of the Atlas Mountains via the 2,260m Tizi n'Tichka pass, past kasbahs of red pisé, across the hammada plateau to Ouarzazate's film sets, through the Draa Valley's 40 km of palm groves, and into the Sahara at Merzouga's towering Erg Chebbi dunes. The great desert approach.
IconicChapman's Peak DriveThe official 9 km Chapman's Peak toll road packs 114 curves between its Hout Bay and Noordhoek approaches. Built during World War I and blasted from the face of the 593 m peak, “Chappies” delivers cliff-edge Atlantic views throughout; the harbour and beach are worthwhile bookends outside the mapped toll-road section.EV-friendly
IconicPanorama RouteMpumalanga's Panorama Route strings together the most dramatic escarpment scenery in Southern Africa, canyon viewpoints, gold-rush villages, ancient potholes, and waterfalls spilling off the edge of the highveld.EV-friendly
LegendarySani PassA boulder-strewn 4WD track climbing 1332 vertical metres in 9km through the Drakensberg escarpment into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. At the top: the highest pub in Africa, a blanket of stars, and a Basotho world entirely apart.4WD onlyOff-road sections
IconicSkeleton CoastThe C34 salt-and-gravel coastal road from Swakopmund north along Namibia's Atlantic fringe to Terrace Bay, through the Skeleton Coast National Park, past bleached whale bones, shipwrecks, and Cape Cross Seal Reserve's 100,000-strong fur seal colony. Ultra-desolate. Motorbikes not permitted on the coast road.SUV onlyOff-road sectionsPermit required
Hidden GemB9 Road, MauritiusSkirting the Indian Ocean-facing Mauritius shoreline from Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage monolith with a poignant memorial to escaped slaves, east past Macondé Rock's viewpoint, Saint Martin, Bel Ombre, and the island's finest beaches at St Félix and Riambel to Souillac, finishing at Gris Gris. Le Morne sits a few km south of the B9's official western start at Grande Riviere Noire, so this drive begins just south of the true road terminus.
Hidden GemCairo to Luxor Nile ValleyThis classic Nile Valley drive follows Egypt’s main southbound corridor from Cairo to Luxor, passing fertile river plains, roadside markets, and ancient temple towns. It’s the most practical overland link between two of Egypt’s greatest archaeological hubs, with desert scenery framing the route.SUV only
NotableCaprivi Strip and Zambezi RegionThis northern Namibia road trip follows the lush Zambezi Region from Rundu east to Katima Mulilo, with detours to river lodges, floodplain viewpoints and wildlife-rich parks. Expect easygoing distances, changing landscapes, frequent birdlife and a strong sense of remoteness along the Kavango and Zambezi rivers.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsPermit required
IconicClarence DriveThe R44 (Clarence Drive) from Gordon's Bay to Kleinmond, continuing on the R43 to Hermanus, hugs the Kogelberg coastline, mountain cliffs plunging to turquoise sea, fynbos slopes, penguin colonies, and the world's finest shore-based whale watching.EV-friendly
Hidden GemDakar to Saint-Louis CoastThis easy Senegalese coast drive follows the Atlantic north from Dakar to the UNESCO-listed old city of Saint-Louis. Expect ocean views, fishing villages, salt pans, and broad sandy beaches, with the route becoming especially atmospheric near the Langue de Barbarie and the river mouth at Saint-Louis.
IconicDurban to the DrakensbergFrom Durban's Indian Ocean beachfront west into the Drakensberg, the Barrier of Spears, through the Zulu heartlands, the Midlands Meander of cheese farms and craft studios, the Cathedral Peak wilderness, and up the legendary Sani Pass to Lesotho, the mountain kingdom in the clouds at 2,874 metres.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsLoop / circuit
IconicEastern Highlands of ZimbabweThis loop through Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands links cool mountain towns, tea estates, and forested passes with some of the country’s most rewarding road scenery. From Mutare to Nyanga, Honde Valley, and Chimanimani, the drive combines sweeping views, waterfalls, hiking stops, and crisp highland air.SUV onlyOff-road sectionsPermit required
IconicErg Chebbi and the Moroccan SaharaThis Saharan road trip runs from the palm-lined oasis town of Errachidia through the Ziz Valley to Merzouga and the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi, with a short kasbah-village detour through Tinejdad on the way. It blends paved desert highways, kasbah villages, and sunrise dune viewpoints, with the option to finish at a camel camp or desert lodge.
Hidden GemEssaouira to Agadir Atlantic CoastThis relaxed Atlantic drive follows Morocco’s coast south from Essaouira to Agadir, with sea views, windswept beaches, and easy stops in fishing towns and surf breaks. It is a straightforward paved route with good road access, best enjoyed in mild weather when the ocean light is clear.
IconicEtosha Pan CircuitA vast white salt pan, 120km across, visible from space, ringed by waterholes where lions, elephants, and black rhinos gather in the dry season. The Etosha circuit is Africa's most accessible concentrated wildlife driving, all on good gravel roads.Loop / circuit
Hidden GemGhana Cape Coast Heritage RouteThis coastal heritage drive links Ghana’s most important slave-trade memorials with lively fishing towns and Atlantic scenery. Start in Accra, follow the shoreline through Elmina and Cape Coast, and finish at Kakum National Park for rainforest canopy views and a powerful historical contrast.
NotableGreat East RoadDrive the Great East Road from Lusaka through the Luangwa Valley to South Luangwa National Park, one of Africa's finest wildlife sanctuaries and the birthplace of the walking safari.SUV onlyOff-road sections
Hidden GemHurghada to Marsa Alam Red Sea CoastThis Red Sea Coast drive runs south from Hurghada to Marsa Alam on Egypt’s desert highway, pairing blue-water views with long, quiet stretches of tawny mountains and open shore. It is a straightforward road trip with resort stops, dive towns, and a strong sense of remoteness.
NotableKalahari Desert DriveCross the world's largest sand system from Gaborone west to the Central Kalahari, red dunes, black-maned lions, meerkats at sunrise, and skies so dark the Milky Way casts shadows on the sand.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsPermit required
NotableKenya Great Rift ValleyThis north-south Rift Valley drive links Nairobi with Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate, Lake Nakuru, and the escarpments around Baringo before ending in Eldoret. It is a classic Kenya road trip of volcanic landscapes, soda lakes, birdlife, and broad valley views, best enjoyed with unhurried stops and early starts.SUV onlyOff-road sectionsPermit required
NotableLake Assal and Goda MountainsThis compact Djibouti road trip leaves the capital for the Gulf of Tadjoura, then climbs into the cool highlands of the Goda Mountains before dropping to the dazzling salt basin of Lake Assal, one of Africa’s lowest points. Expect volcanic scenery, acacia hills, and stark desert contrast.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsPermit requiredLoop / circuit
IconicLake Kivu Road DriveThe Congo Nile Trail follows Rwanda’s lush western shore of Lake Kivu from Rubavu to Rusizi, winding through tea hills, lakeside villages, and ridge-top viewpoints. It is one of East Africa’s most scenic overland drives, with frequent stops for hiking, kayaking, and local guesthouses.
IconicLake Malawi Lakeshore DriveThis classic lakeside road trip follows Malawi’s western shore from Mangochi through Monkey Bay, Cape Maclear, Senga Bay, Nkhotakota, Nkhata Bay, and Rumphi to Karonga. Expect a changing ribbon of blue water, fishing villages, palm-lined beaches, limestone headlands, and easy detours to island viewpoints and national park turnoffs.SUV onlyOff-road sectionsPermit required
IconicMadagascar Baobab RouteThrough Madagascar's central highlands and western lowlands to the Avenue of the Baobabs, 800-year-old bottle-shaped giants lining a red laterite track near Morondava. Past highland rice terraces, zebu cart markets, sacred forests, and the wide Tsiribihina river country to one of the most otherworldly landscapes on earth.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsLoop / circuit
NotableMakgadikgadi PansThe remnant of an ancient mega-lake larger than Switzerland, two vast salt pans at the Kalahari's heart. In the dry season: meerkats and brown hyena. In January: roughly 20,000-30,000 zebra on the world's second-largest migration.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsPermit required
Hidden GemMalolotja and Ezulwini Eswatini LoopThis compact Eswatini loop links the cool highlands of Malolotja Nature Reserve with the Ezulwini Valley’s rolling hills, craft markets, and royal-adjacent cultural stops. It’s a rewarding mix of mountain scenery, viewpoints, and easy day-trip driving on good paved roads.Loop / circuit
IconicMassawa to Asmara EscarpmentThis classic Eritrean ascent leaves the Red Sea heat of Massawa and climbs more than 2,000 meters to the cool plateau of Asmara. The road threads dramatic escarpments, switchbacks, and rock-cut viewpoints, turning a short drive into one of East Africa’s most striking elevation changes.Permit required
NotableMozambique EN1 Coastal RouteMozambique’s EN1 is the country’s spine, linking the southern capital to the far north through palm-fringed coast, busy market towns, and long Indian Ocean stretches. This overland drive mixes beach access, a passenger ferry at Inhambane, and everyday Mozambican life, with highlights around Inhambane, Beira, and Nampula before reaching the far north.SUV onlyOff-road sections
IconicNamaqualand Flower RouteFor two weeks each August, the Namaqualand desert transforms into the greatest wildflower spectacle on Earth, millions of orange, yellow, and white daisies covering the Bokkeveld and Knersvlakte as far as the eye can see.
IconicNorthern Madagascar and Tsingy: Flight-Linked ExpeditionA flight-linked expedition combining Madagascar’s north coast and parks with a separate western 4WD journey from Morondava through Belo-sur-Tsiribihina to Bekopaka, the road base for Tsingy de Bemaraha. The map focuses on that continuous western ground leg rather than drawing false road lines across domestic flights and the Nosy Be boat transfer.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsPermit required
IconicReunion Island LoopCircle Réunion on its coastal roads for a compact but dramatic island drive, linking volcanic cliffs, black-sand beaches, sugarcane fields, and Creole seaside towns. The loop pairs the palm-lined east coast with the wilder south and the dramatic western lava coast, with mountain access spurs inland.Loop / circuit
LegendaryRN7 Antananarivo to ToliaraMadagascar’s RN7 is the country’s classic overland journey, linking the highland capital to the southwest coast through rice terraces, red-earth villages, and dramatic sandstone massifs. The route passes Antsirabe, Ambositra, Ranomafana, Fianarantsoa, and Isalo before descending to the dry thorny plains around Toliara.SUV onlyOff-road sectionsPermit required
NotableRoute 62The longest wine route in the world winds through the Breede River Valley and Little Karoo, past fruit farms, ostrich ranches, and the Swartberg Mountains, connecting Cape winelands to the edge of the great Karoo.EV-friendly
Hidden GemSt Catherine to DahabThis short Sinai drive links the granite monasteries and mountain basins of St Catherine with the Red Sea town of Dahab. The road drops from stark high desert into wide wadis and open coastal plains, with rugged peaks behind and clear water ahead.
IconicTanzania Northern Safari CircuitThis classic northern Tanzania circuit links the country’s best-known wildlife country on a practical overland loop from Arusha through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Mto wa Mbu to the Ngorongoro highlands and the Serengeti, then back via the Ngorongoro highlands and Karatu. Expect dramatic crater rim views, big herds, and long game-drive days.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsPermit requiredLoop / circuit
NotableTanzania Southern Circuit: Ruaha and Nyerere (Flight-Linked)A flight-linked southern Tanzania safari: drive from Dar es Salaam through Mikumi and Iringa to Ruaha, then fly between the remote camps of Ruaha and Nyerere before returning to Dar. It combines open plains, baobab woodland, river landscapes, game drives and bush camps without pretending the air transfers are road legs.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsPermit requiredLoop / circuit
NotableTunis to Douz: Medinas to SaharaTunisia's extraordinary cultural drive, Sidi Bou Said's Andalusian whitewash, the medinas of Tunis and Kairouan (the fourth holiest city in Islam), the Roman amphitheatre at El Djem, the troglodyte houses of Matmata (Hotel Sidi Driss, the Star Wars Lars homestead interior), and the Saharan dunes of Douz. North Africa's most accessible and diverse drive.
NotableUganda Fort Portal to BwindiThis western Uganda drive links Fort Portal’s crater lakes and tea country with Bwindi Impenetrable Forest’s gorilla valleys. The route passes through rolling highlands, busy market towns, and Rift Valley edges before climbing into misty forest via Mbarara and Kisoro toward Bwindi's southern sectors. It is a rewarding, if long, overland approach to one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsPermit required
Hidden GemZanzibar Island LoopThis relaxed island loop traces Zanzibar’s best road-accessible highlights, from Stone Town’s coral-stone lanes to spice farms, northern beaches, and the quieter east coast. It blends Swahili history, dhow harbors, and palm-fringed villages into an easy coastal circuit with frequent photo stops.Permit requiredLoop / circuit
NotableAtlantic Sahara Coast and Banc d'ArguinThis Atlantic coast drive follows Mauritania’s desert edge from Nouadhibou to the Banc d’Arguin region, where dunes, tidal flats, and empty beaches meet the sea. Expect a stark, wind-shaped landscape, fishing villages, and exceptional birdlife in one of West Africa’s most distinctive coastal parks.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsPermit requiredLoop / circuit
LegendarySani Pass and Roof of AfricaClimb from the Himeville area up the legendary Sani Pass into Lesotho, following one of southern Africa’s most dramatic mountain roads. The gravel switchbacks rise to the high plateau and the iconic Sani Mountain Lodge, with sweeping views over the Drakensberg and a true sense of reaching the Roof of Africa.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsPermit requiredLoop / circuit
IconicSanto Antão Island CrossingThis island crossing follows Santo Antão’s dramatic north-to-south mountain roads from the ferry port at Porto Novo up through the cratered highlands to the lush valley country around Ribeira Grande, continuing on to Ponta do Sol and the cliffside village of Fontainhas. Expect plunging views, terraced slopes, and some of Cape Verde’s most memorable switchbacks.
IconicSerra da Leba and Tundavala EscarpmentThis southern Angola road trip links the dramatic switchbacks of Serra da Leba with the high rim views of the Tundavala Escarpment. Starting in Lubango and looping through highland villages and eucalyptus-clad slopes, it delivers some of the country’s most iconic mountain scenery and dramatic roadside viewpoints.
IconicTamanrasset to Assekrem in the HoggarThis short Saharan climb leaves Tamanrasset and heads into the volcanic granite peaks of the Hoggar, ending at the road-access point on the Assekrem plateau. The final visit to Charles de Foucauld’s hermitage is on foot; the drive itself is all about stark hamadas and vast sunrise and sunset views over the central Sahara.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsPermit required
NotableWhite Desert and Bahariya OasisThis desert road trip begins in Cairo and runs west to Bahariya Oasis, then into Egypt’s surreal White Desert, where chalk towers, mushroom rocks, and wind-carved plains glow gold at sunset. It combines a sealed highway approach with short, guided desert sections and overnight camping under clear Sahara skies.4WD onlyOff-road sectionsPermit required