Trip Notes
After years of running self-drive tours, I have noticed that most first-time clients ask the same things before they commit to a route. The questions are rarely about scenery or bucket-list stops. They want to know about the practical side: how much driving is realistic in a day, what the gravel is like, and whether they can trust the fuel stops between towns.
This post is a follow-up to the earlier notes on preparing for a consultation and choosing a format that fits. Here I want to answer the questions that come up again and again, because getting these right usually decides whether a trip feels relaxed or rushed.
On tar, 300 kilometres is comfortable. Add gravel sections, farm stalls you actually want to stop at, and a mountain pass or two, and that number drops fast. My rule of thumb: plan for 250 kilometres on mixed roads and assume you will stop more often than you expect. The Karoo looks empty, but every town has a reason to slow down.
It depends on the route. The main passes like the Swartberg are doable in a sedan when the weather is dry, but after rain the corrugations and loose stone make life difficult. If you want the freedom to take the back roads between Prince Albert and the Garden Route, a bakkie or SUV saves you from worrying about every dip. For a purely coastal trip, a normal car is fine.
Fill up whenever you see a decent station, even if the gauge says half. Some of the smaller towns close early on Sundays, and the next reliable stop might be 150 kilometres away. Carry water and a few snacks, not because you will get stranded, but because the best picnic spots never have a shop nearby.
In peak season, yes. The good guesthouses and bush camps fill up quickly, especially around school holidays. Outside those weeks you can be more spontaneous, but I still recommend having a rough plan for where you will sleep each night. It takes the pressure off when the road is slower than expected.
If you are planning a route and are not sure where to start, the contact page is the easiest way to get a straight answer. I have driven most of these roads more times than I can count, and I am happy to point you in the right direction.
Ask a route questionThe practical checklist I share with clients before we talk routes.
How to decide between a guided trip and a self-drive plan.