South Africa Travel Forum

Hi
Has anyone driven from Lesotho to Kimberley to Upington to Springbok then down to Cape Town? We'll be coming down from Swazi and across Lesotho and this seems the most logical way across if you want to avoid the Garden Route (a bit commercialised for us).... we'd like to visit Springbok to see the nature reserves and the flowers this spring. I'm a bit worried that the drives between places will be without any decent scenery if we stick to main roads, and too long to do in a day if we don't. Anyone any idea/comment?
Many thanks
Bill

Hi, what time period do you have in mind? The distances you intend covering are quite substantial but you'll be well rewarded by visiting the Northern Cape region. Post your intended travel plan and I'll gladly comment.

Hi Anton
That's kind of you
We're traveling between mid August and mid Sept. Currently thinking...
4 nights in Swazi
5 nights in and around Drakensberg
3 nights in Lesotho
2 nights Kimberley
2 nights Upington
3 nights Springbok
4 nights Simons Town
We have a contact who'll put us up in Swazi on their farm, and the loan of a House in Simons Town... apart from that, our time is flexible...
We are reasonably experienced with 4x4 and driving in Africa (Namibia, Kenya, Botswana, Malawi between the two drivers)
Many thanks
Bill

Was in Simon's Town an hour ago . . . . .

Interesting route, did most of it in 1998. Consider Augrabies instead of Upington. Limited accommodation around Springbok for the flower season in which you are coming - think about pre-booking.

Scenery from Kimberley to Springbok is rather flat

Lesotho could be snow covered at that time - 4x4 essential if you want to enter via Sani Pass from Drakensberg. Our favourite accom is Malealea Lodge in the south west.

Easy to avoid the commercial Garden Route by going inland a bit, through the Karoo.

Hi Gerald
Thanks for your response.
Is there anything you'd consider a more interesting route down to the Cape then?... we're flexible so could change plans. We want to see the flowers but I think it's possible to do on a day trip from Simons Town. We thought the North West looked interesting and guessed the drive down the West coast might be fun... but if there's a better option avoiding commercialisation as much as possible we'd certainly consider it. What are your thoughts?
Best regards
Bill

Where have you visited in South Africa before? Do you particularly want to drive 4X4, because that would not be required except for parts of Lesotho.

Well, we've done the Garden route and a trip to Sabie Sabie in Kruger but that's about it for SA unless you include Namibia where we did some traveling the year before last. I guess being kids at heart we'll take a 4x4 but may also travel up from Springbok to the reserve on the Namib border if we get the chance plus may do a bit of out of the way stuff in Lesotho.
Bill

Okay, that helps a lot to see your reference points . . . . . .

West of Kimberley and north of Springbok, rather similar driving to Namibia - long flat straight roads.

The flower spectacle is something to see - maybe more than just a daytrip out of Simon's Town. You see the most as you drive/look south with your back to the sun. Us locals are mostly satisfied with a day trip out to Langebaan's West Coast National Park.

Another area to consider seriously is the Wild Coast area, tucked between Lesotho and the sea. The genteel Garden Route tourists give that area a wide berth - they don't know what they are missing. There a 4X4 is useful if you want to go over 40km/h :-)

Gerald
Thanks, that's helpful.
We didn't mind the driving in Namibia apart from getting entirely lost once as roads there go through private farms and look no more than farm entrances on occasions.... an interesting experience where it was never clear if we were on roads or riverbeds... eventually weakened and got the GPS out.
One final personal opinion and I won't bother you again... is the drive down the West coast worth while if we're prepared to put up with the "flat" drive from Kimberley to Springbok via Upington or Augrabies Falls?
Many thanks
Bill

I enjoy that part of the country, but it is not something I would recommend to a mainstream tourist. However, since you know what you are in for, you could have a wonderful time.

www.tracks4africa.com has excellent GPS maps at a very affordable price. Their maps are logged by mostly the leisure 4X4 crowd, so their city street info is a bit lacking. The best GPS street info is from www.garmap.co.za but it is expensive and you can only get it here.

Hi. Gerald has given some good advice. I am in transit on my way to the Ukraine, hence the reason for the late reply. Appart from the good advice already given a couple of comments from my side. Agree with Gerald to spend some time at Augrabies, I was there last July and the facilities are great, also maybe consider some time in the Kgalagadi transfrontier park. I ove the West Coast but it si not for everyone. Personally I've had too many bad experiences in Lesotho with stone trowing and general problems with locals for me to recomend it as a destination but it is a fantastic place scenery wise, 4X4 advisable to make the most of it. Admit that my last visit was two years ago and I understand the problems have been adressed by local tourism bodies so maybe things have changed.

Hi Anton
Thanks very much for your advice. From what you've said, I think the West coast has a bit to offer. I'll give it some serious thought and investigate a bit further.
Many thanks both to yourself and Gerald.
Bill

Don't forget the Cederberg... an amazingly beautiful place with 4x4 trails etc. Looks like you're going to have to find more time...