I have spent years driving the back roads between Cape Town, the Garden Route and the Karoo. This journal is where I write down what the maps do not tell you: where the potholes sit, which farm stalls still serve proper roosterkoek, and how the gravel feels after a good rain. If you are planning a self-drive trip and want honest notes from someone who has done the route more than once, you are in the right place.
"The best trips are the ones where you know which detour is worth it and which one just costs you an hour of dust."
Lloyd — tour operator and driver of far too many gravel roads
Weekend itineraries from Johannesburg and Durban, birding spots along the coast, and honest opinions on mountain passes that need high clearance. Got a route question? Send it through the contact page .
Whether you are planning a weekend drive from Johannesburg or want to know how the gravel roads feel after rain, I am happy to help. Send through your route question and I will reply with practical notes from the road.
Describe where you want to go, what vehicle you drive, and how much time you have. I will get back with honest advice on road conditions, worthwhile detours, and where to stop for a decent meal.
info@toursbylloyd.comIf you prefer to talk through an itinerary, call between 08:00 and 17:00 on weekdays. I can help with mountain pass conditions, fuel stops, and accommodation options from bush camps to guesthouses.
011-664-5055I aim to reply to every message within one working day. For questions about specific routes or recent road conditions, allow a little extra time so I can give you accurate, up-to-date information.
Typical reply: within 24 hours on weekdays.
A few recent trip reports from the back roads. Each one includes honest notes on road conditions, fuel stops, and whether the detour is actually worth it.
Road Trip Notes
A slow drive from Barrydale to Calitzdorp, with stops at farm stalls that still serve proper roosterkoek and apricot jam. Notes on potholes near the bends and where the tar gives way to gravel.
Mountain Pass Guide
Driving the Swartberg Pass after a wet season. Why a bakkie or SUV makes the difference, what tyre pressure to run, and where to pull over for the best views without blocking traffic.
Birding Along the Coast
Paddling routes and hideouts between Wilderness and Knysna. Where the kingfishers sit, how to approach herons without disturbing them, and which local guides run worthwhile trips.
Not every drive suits every traveller. These three formats cover the way I usually work with readers planning self-drive trips, from a single weekend escape to a longer gravel-road expedition. Each one includes honest notes on road conditions, fuel stops, and where to sleep.
Two to three days on tar
Built for a quick break from Johannesburg or Durban. I map out a loop that keeps driving times reasonable, points out farm stalls worth the stop, and flags the stretches where the tar is rough. You get a day-by-day outline with distances, suggested overnight spots from guesthouses to bush camps, and a clear idea of what you can realistically see without rushing.
Four to seven days, high clearance advised
For the passes and back roads that need a bakkie or SUV. Think Swartberg after rain, the R62 gravel sections, and Karoo tracks where the next fuel stop is further than it looks. I put together a full itinerary with honest notes on clearance, tyre pressure, and what to do when you meet a truck on a narrow bend.
Your dates, your detours
When you have a specific route in mind, or a mix of interests like birding along the coastal lakes and a mountain pass you have read about. Send me your rough plan through the contact page and I will work through it with you, adjusting for season, roadworks, and the kind of driving you are comfortable with.
Not sure which format fits? Read through the trip reports on the blog to get a feel for how I write about roads and stops, then send your question through the contact page.