South Africa can be a journey or a destination vacation. Choose to visit one of the myriad of scenic wonders this country has to offer or hire a car and explore an entire region. It should come as no surprise that some of the world's most beautiful road routes can be found here.

Each province has its own gems of scenic beauty to offer tourists, each one unique and equally as extraordinary as the next. But no overland journey is complete without travelling along the magnificent Garden Route, which stretches along the south-eastern coast.

Nestled between the Indian Ocean and the Tsitsikamma Mountains, with its constant sea views, crystal clear lakes and indigenous forests, this is the road trip of a lifetime! This route culminates in one of the most iconic features of the South African landscape - Table Mountain with its panoramic views of Cape Town, one of South Africa's most beautiful and diverse cities.

Table Mountain with Cape Town at its feet viewed from Robben Island, South Africa
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Moving East through the Cape, you encounter the lush evergreen Tsitsikamma forest near Knysna, the towering mountains and sheer gorges of the Klein Karoo and the immense arid plains of the Great Karoo, all striking examples of how nature has woven its magic on the landscape.

The Wild Coast, bordering the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal is a place of unsurpassed scenic beauty and grandeur. This area is a region of thick forests and sprawling grasslands, all ending in a coastline of jagged cliffs surrounding unspoiled golden beaches.

Family fun on Morgan Bay beach at St. Lucia, South Africa

KwaZulu-Natal's Drakensberg Mountains are the epitome of natural beauty. The Midlands Meander with breath-taking views of lush farmlands, rolling hills and country villages is a legendary scenic driving route through the pastoral lands of the Natal Midlands.

This region is situated between the grand Drakensberg and the coastal playground of Durban. There is so much to explore on this route, so to make it truly unforgettable, take your time meandering through these enchanting hills and valleys - it is an aesthetic adventure second to none!

Champagne Castle in the spectacular uKhahlamba Drakensberg National Park,
South Africa
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Mpumalanga, known as "Paradise Country" is one of the top scenic tourist destinations in South Africa. This is a region of extraordinary beauty characterized by mountains, forests, valleys, rivers, and magnificent waterfalls.

In the Blyde River Canyon, situated on the Panorama Route, nothing can prepare you for the spectacular view from "Gods Window". From its pinnacle viewpoint 750m above the ground it offers one of the most exquisite panoramas in the entire country.

Following the edge of the great Mpumalanga escarpment, the famous Panorama Route offers a variety of breathtaking views such as the Bourke's Luck Potholes, the Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondawels to name a few, and some of the most impressive waterfalls you will ever see.

"Gods Window", view point along the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga province,
South Africa
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Expansive grassy plains scattered with clusters of trees and bushes of golden yellows and browns characterize the subtropical savannah region of the South African bushveld, which stretches across most of the Limpopo province and a small area of the North West and Northern Cape provinces.

The exquisite beauty of this woodland area is underscored only by the three extraordinary mountain ranges found here - the Soutpansberg range, the Waterberg range and the Drakensberg escarpment.

The breath taking scenic tranquility of the bushveld is best appreciated at sunrise and sunset, where the warm glow of the sun highlights the magnificence of the plains and the surrounding mountains.

Sunset in the South African bushveld
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The list of stunning scenery miracles is endless.

The Soutpansberg region in the Limpopo province should be explored at leisure. By following the designated forest trails you will encounter some of the 340 types of indigenous tree species native to the area, as well as an abundance of exotic flora and fauna.

Another natural phenomenon not to be missed is the crater of an extinct volcano in the Pilanesberg National Park. This unique geological feature is 1300 million years old and is one of the largest of its kind in the world.

Inside the Cango Caves at Oudtshoorn, South Africa
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Do not forget the famous Cango Caves just outside the city of Oudtshoorn, a fascinating geological feature that is one of South Africa's most visited attractions.

Then there is the landscape of the Free State, decorated with fields of corn and bright golden sunflowers earning its reputation as the "The Golden Country".

"Golden country" landscape in the Free State province, South Africa
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Last but not least are the most dazzling floral sights found in Namaqualand's glorious wild flower fields and the unique indigenous flora of the Richtersveld. With all this to offer and so much more, South Africa is an absolute must on any travel bucket list.