Every guide on this site starts with a real question from a reader or a drive I have done myself. The process below is how I turn that into something you can actually use on the road, without the fluff.
Tell me where you are starting from, how many days you have, and what kind of driving you are comfortable with. A sedan on tar only is a different trip from a high-clearance vehicle on gravel.
Before suggesting a route, I look at recent weather, known pothole sections, and whether any mountain passes have been closed. The Karoo after heavy rain is a different place than the Karoo in a dry spell.
Fuel stops, farm stalls that still serve decent roosterkoek, and overnight options from bush camps to guesthouses. The aim is a route that flows, not a list of places that look good on paper.
Where possible, I cover the route myself and take notes on driving times, gravel quality, and what is worth the detour. If I have not driven it recently, I say so and flag what needs checking.
The write-up includes rough distances, fuel notes, and honest opinions on where to stay and what to skip. You get the detail that matters for planning, not a polished brochure.
Once the guide is published, you can still send questions about specific sections or ask for alternatives if your plans change. The route is a starting point, not a fixed script.
Every route I share on this journal follows the same process. It starts with a question from a reader or a stretch of road I have not driven in a while, and ends with a written report you can actually plan from. Here is the sequence I stick to.
Step 1 - Route Research
I start by choosing a route that makes sense for the time of year. Winter rain changes gravel conditions on the passes, while summer heat affects driving times through the Karoo. The route gets checked against recent weather and any known roadworks before I commit to it.
Step 2 - The Drive Itself
On the road I keep notes on fuel stops, distances between towns, and the condition of the surface. I check which farm stalls are still open, where the potholes sit, and whether a sedan would manage the stretch or if high clearance is genuinely needed. These notes become the backbone of the post.
Step 3 - Accommodation Check
I book a mix of places along the route, from basic bush camps with shared ablutions to guesthouses with a decent breakfast. The point is to give readers a real range of options, not just the polished places that advertise well. I note what the access road is like and whether you need to book ahead in season.
Step 4 - Writing the Report
Back home I turn the daybook into a structured post. Distances get rounded to practical figures, fuel notes stay honest, and every detour gets a clear verdict on whether it is worth the extra kilometres. The writing stays plain and direct, the way you would describe the drive to a friend over coffee.
Step 5 - Reader Follow-Up
After a post goes live I read the questions that come through the contact page. If several readers ask about the same stretch of road or a specific pass, I plan a return trip to fill in the gaps. That is how the journal stays practical rather than just descriptive.
Route planning questions usually land in my inbox a few days before a trip. Whether it is a gravel road condition after rain or whether a sedan can manage a particular pass, I try to get back to you within a day. During peak holiday weeks it can stretch to two.
The quickest way to reach me is by email. If you are already on the road and need a fast answer about a detour or a fuel stop, a phone call works better than a long message.
Send the full picture: where you are starting, how many days you have, and what kind of vehicle. I will reply with a realistic route, road notes, and places worth the detour.
Response within 24 hours on weekdays.
If you are stuck between towns or need a quick sanity check on a pass, call between 8am and 6pm. I know most of these roads well enough to talk you through them.
Best reached outside of driving hours.
I read every message myself. If your question is straightforward, you will have an answer the same day. For longer route plans, I may ask a follow-up or two before sending a full breakdown. If I do not know a road well enough to advise on it, I will say so and point you to someone who does.