Africa
51 curated road trips
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. 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.
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 Skeleton Coast's shipwrecks, and Fish River Canyon's billion-year-old gorge.
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 DriveLess than 10 km long but with 114 curves and breathtaking views of Hout Bay and the Sentinel, affectionately known as "Chappies," this toll road was originally built during World War I, blasted from the sheer face of the 593 m Chapman's Peak above the Atlantic Ocean. A steep cliffside drive with natural canopy overhangs, the views are unbeatable on a sunny day.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, Riambel, and Gris Gris to Souillac.
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.
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.
IconicClarence DriveThe R44 between Gordon's Bay and Hermanus hugs the Kogelberg coastline, mountain cliffs plunging to turquoise sea, fynbos slopes, penguin colonies, and the world's finest shore-based whale watching.
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.
IconicDanakil Depression ExpeditionThis expedition runs from Mekele into Ethiopia’s otherworldly Danakil Depression, crossing volcanic plains, salt flats, and low desert to reach Dallol and the edge of Erta Ale country. Expect stark colors, extreme heat, and rough tracks on one of Africa’s most dramatic overland journeys.
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.
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.
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. It blends paved desert highways, kasbah villages, and sunrise dune viewpoints, with the option to finish at a camel camp or desert lodge.
IconicEthiopia Historic Northern CircuitThis classic northern Ethiopia loop links the country’s greatest historic sites with dramatic highland scenery. Starting in Addis Ababa, the drive runs through Bahir Dar and Lake Tana, the Blue Nile Falls, Gondar’s imperial castles, the Simien Mountains, and onward to Axum, Lalibela, and back through the highlands.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
IconicLake Malawi Lakeshore DriveThis classic lakeside road trip follows Malawi’s eastern 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.
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 canal du Pangalanes to one of the most otherworldly landscapes on earth.
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: a quarter-million zebra on the world's second-largest migration.
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.
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.
NotableMombasa to Lamu Coast RoadThis coastal drive follows Kenya’s Indian Ocean shoreline from Mombasa through Malindi and the quieter northern beaches toward Lamu County. Expect palm-lined roads, Swahili heritage towns, dhow-filled inlets, and long sunny stretches, with the final approach feeling increasingly remote and atmospheric.
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, ferry crossings, and everyday Mozambican life, with highlights around Inhambane, Beira, and Nampula before reaching the far north.
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 de BemarahaThis loop links Madagascar’s north coast with the limestone spires of Tsingy de Bemaraha via Diego Suarez, Nosy Be access roads, and the ferry-and-track approach to the park. Expect beaches, baobabs, ferries, unsealed stretches, and long transfer days balanced by some of the island’s most dramatic scenery.
NotableOmo Valley Tribal RouteThis southbound Ethiopian road trip links Addis Ababa with the cultural landscapes of the lower Omo Valley, ending in the market town of Omorate near the Kenyan border. Expect highland escarpments, Rift Valley lakes, and remote villages where weekly markets, river crossings, and traditional communities shape the journey.
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.
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.
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.
IconicRwanda Congo Nile TrailThe 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.
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.
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. 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 Assekrem plateau. The drive is all about stark desert scenery, remote hamadas, and a dramatic high-altitude lookout famous for vast sunrise and sunset views over the central Sahara.
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, the Ngorongoro highlands, and the Serengeti, then back via Mto wa Mbu or Karatu. Expect dramatic crater rim views, big herds, and long game-drive days.
NotableTanzania Southern Circuit Ruaha and SelousThis southern Tanzania safari drive links Dar es Salaam with the country’s quieter wildlife strongholds, from Mikumi’s open plains to the baobab-studded baobab woodlands of Ruaha and the river-and-lake landscapes around Nyerere, formerly Selous. It is a long, rewarding circuit of game drives, bush camps, and remote park roads.
NotableTunisia: Medinas to SaharaTunisia's extraordinary cultural loop, 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 Star Wars landscapes of Matmata's troglodyte houses, 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. It is a rewarding overland approach to one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations.
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.
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.
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.
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.