Scenic passes

The Waterberg's R518, Limpopo

Meet the Waterberg Red Beds. These surreal mountains are a highlight on the R518 through the Waterberg, a road that takes you from Mokopane to Marken. more
Mountain passes of the Little Karoo

The mountain passes of the Little Karoo were mostly built in the late 19th century, and they stand as testimony to hard work and great engineering. more
Mountain passes of the Eastern Cape Highlands

The craggy mountain passes of the Eastern Cape Highlands between Lady Grey and Barkly East offer adventure, entertainment and history. more
Chapman's Peak Drive, Cape Town

Chapman's Peak Drive, among the most scenic stretches of road in the world, has been upgraded and made safer to ensure more regular access. more

More about Scenic passes

Cycling the Helshoogte Pass

Mountain bike enthusiasts in South Africa rate Helshoogte Pass as one of the most scenic routes in the country. Hop on your bike and find out why. more

The Swartberg Pass, Western Cape

The Swartberg Pass, linking Oudtshoorn with Prince Albert, was believed a near-impossible job and it bankrupted the first road-builder who tried. Then came Thomas Bain. more

The Prince Alfred Pass, Western Cape

The Garden Route towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay needed to be connected to the interior – the Prince Alfred Pass was the answer. more

Getaways in Limpopo

1Valley of the Olifants

A scenic region comprising the vast wilderness area traversed by the Olifants River on its way into the Kruger National Park, beyond the northern Drakensberg mountains.

2Blyde River Canyon

The Limpopo side of the Blyde River Canyon is panoramic and offers an unbeatable mountain/bush combo and assorted getaways, hotels, lodges and reserves.

3Limpopo Valley

A variety of eco-friendly and charming camps set amongst the boulders and baobabs on the banks of the ancient Limpopo River, including the must-see Mapungbuwe World Heritage Site.

4Northern Kruger National Park

A landscape featuring ancient koppies, baobab trees and elephants, the northern Kruger has a range of accommodation ranging from super luxury to bring-your-own tent.

5Magoebaskloof and surrounds

The Magoebaskloof mountain area is great hiking, fishing, walking country. There’s plenty of room at the inns in and around Haenertsburg village, plus friendly hotels and guesthouses.

6Soutpansberg

South Africa’s northernmost mountain range offers mountain getaways, romantic retreats, hiking trails and historic routes.

7Waterberg

This malaria-free region offers Big Five reserves, great family getaways and vast wilderness areas, including the beautiful Marakele National Park

8Vhembe

With tea plantations, silver dams and forests, this is a picturesque and historic part of Limpopo, and offers assorted accommodation from cultural villages to cozy guesthouses.