Top 10 Scenic Drives

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Bourke’s Luck Potholes to Pilgrim’s Rest via Vaalhoek Road: The Vaalhoek Road is a gravel road taking the traveller from Bourke’s Luck Potholes to Pilgrim’s Rest and follows the Belvedere powerline. The beginning of the Vaalhoek Road is signposted just opposite the entrance to the Potholes and ends at the historical town of Pilgrim’s Rest.

Ngodwana to Nelspruit/Mbombela via Kaapschehoop Pass: This 45km-long pass is one of the hidden gems of the Lowveld and provides an alternative route to Nelspruit/Mbombela off the N4. Leaving the N4 at the Ngodwana paper mill, the road climbs roughly 15km through timber plantations to the quaint village of Kaapschehoop, until it again joins the N4 in Nelspruit/Mbombela.

Machadodorp/eNtokozweni to Barberton via Skurweberg Pass & Nelshoogte: The Skurweberg Pass is an excellent alternative route from Machadodorp/eNtokozweni into the Lowveld and climbs 444 metres in altitude to a summit of 1719 metres above sea level, as it traverses the spectacular Skurweberg Mountains. The R38 offers breath-taking views into the Nkomazi Game Reserve and the world-renowned Makhonjwa mountains to the south.

Lydenburg/Mashishing to Roossenekal via Steenkampsberg Pass: The R577, linking Lydenburg/Mashishing and Roossenekal, is a 71km tarred route through beautifully rugged scenery. This is a wonderful road trip to take, although it is a bit off the beaten track.

Ohrigstad to Hoedspruit via Abel Erasmus Pass & JG Strijdom Tunnel: For travellers heading towards the central Kruger National Park, Hoedspruit or the Timbavati and Klaserie private game reserves from Gauteng or the Panorama Route, the picturesque R36, via the Abel Erasmus Pass and JG Strijdom Tunnel, is worth the drive.

Graskop to Bushbuckridge via Kowyn’s Pass & Injaka Dam: The R533 from Graskop to Bushbuckridge takes the traveller through sweeping bends and an altitude drop of over 500m from the escarpment down into the Lowveld.

Karino to Kaapmuiden via Boulders/Mara Road: Before the construction of the N4 through the Crocodile Gorge in 1966, the old road between Nelspruit/Mbombela and Kaapmuiden took travellers on a scenic, winding route, through granite outcrops south of the Crocodile River.

Graskop to Echo Caves via Panorama Route: The Panorama Route is one of South Africa’s most-visited and much-loved tourist routes. It’s jam-packed with incredible natural wonders and sights.

Lower Sabie to Tshokwane via H10 in the Kruger National Park: One of Kruger National Park’s most delightful drives for scenery and wildlife viewing is the H10 road heading north from Lower Sabie to Tshokwane.

Sabie to Lydenburg/Mashishing via Long Tom Pass: The 56km tarred road between Sabie and Lydenburg/Mashishing on the R37 is renowned for its spectacular views across mountains, valleys and waterfalls. It encompasses the Long Tom Pass, one of South Africa’s most famous mountain passes.