Classic Africa Itinerary
Classic Africa Itinerary
March 17th to March 29th 2011
Day 1 Thu 17th March - Leave the UK for an overnight flight to Durban. See Entry info and Prices for more details on flights.
Day 2 Fri 18th March
We’re staying just north of Durban outside the town in a hotel right on the coast with its own private beach. How much
time we have there clearly depends on flight arrival times.
Day 3 Sat 19th March Durban to Dundee 200 Miles of which 30 is dirt.
We start with a gentle introduction heading north from Durban on flat tarmac roads before a small section of dirt and a
lunch/coffee stop. Later in the afternoon we reach the Zulu battlefield sites. We’re going to take a whistle stop tour of
both Isandlwana and Rourke’s Drift with the services of a professional guide. We spend the night in an isolated resort just
outside Dundee.
Day 4 Sun 20th March - Dundee to Clarens 210 Miles No Dirt.
After an easy drive you may decide to call in to Ladysmith – a significant location in the Anglo Boer war. All around
Ladysmith are battlefield sites and in the early afternoon we’re calling into see where Churchill was captured after his
train was derailed. Mid afternoon you’ll get an amazing view of the Drakensburg mountains as we travel several miles along
their edge before entering the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty. By the end of the
day you’ll hopefully have spotted at least one wild Springbok, the national emblem of SA. We spend the night in Clarens, a
lively touristy spot and you’ll be free to spend the evening wandering before finding a suitable restaurant of your choice
for dinner.
Day 5 Mon 21st March - Clarens to Katse Dam 129 Miles No Dirt
We leave Clarens and it’s not long before we cross the border into Lesotho, a separate landlocked country surrounded by
SA. Known as the mountain kingdom it’s one of the few countries on earth which is situated almost entirely above 3000ft.
Allowing at least half an hour for the formalities, as soon as you cross the border it’s evident you are in a different
country. Things are just done differently. Whereas you may have thought that some of the motor vehicles in SA were a bit
dubious, wait until you enter Lesotho. Some of the taxis are held together with little more than prayers. Late that day we
reach Katse Dam. Whether you’re interested in engineering or not, you won’t fail to be impressed by Katse. Just type it
into Google Images and see what comes up.
Day 6 Tue 22nd March - Katse to Malealea 177 Miles 55 Dirt.
Now in the heart of Lesotho we’ve got a bit of a day ahead of us with no less than 6 mountain passes – in order-
Mokhaobong Pass,
Pass of the Jackals,
Cheche Pass,
Blue Mountain Pass,
God Help Me Pass (No, this really is its name),
Bushmans Pass.
Enough said. At the end of the day we reach Malealea – rustic, friendly and delightful.
Day 7 Wed 23rd March - Malealea to Rhodes 140 Miles 110 Dirt.
Leaving Malealea we head for Rhodes, back in SA, almost entirely on dirt. It’s a long day and you’ll no doubt be tired
when we pull into Rhodes, a fascinating little place which is almost like a film set – stuck in a time warp from 100 years
ago. We’re filling the hotel and every guest house in town. Fortunately the hotel restaurant can accommodate us all.
Day 8 Thu 24th March - Rhodes to Kob Inn 225 Miles 88 Dirt.
Hopefully we’ll get away early for a stunning drive over SA’s highest mountain pass, Naude’s Nek. It’s a fabulous
drive, full of snaking hairpins and 100km views. We’ve just got to keep our fingers crossed for a clear day. We then cross
the Transkei, passing the birth place of Nelson Mandela, before heading down to the Wild Coast and a lovely overnight
location at Kob Inn.
Day 9 Fri 25th March - Kob Inn to Katberg 235 Miles 120 Dirt.
We head back inland and funnily enough our route takes us right past the engine museum at Stutterheim. I can’t imagine
anyone will be bothered to call in so we’re on up to Hogs back and finally to the beautifully located Katberg Hotel.
Another lovely day, yet completely different from any previous day’s drive.
Day 10 Sat 26th March - Katberg to Port Alfred 126 Miles 25 Dirt.
A really easy day heading back down to the coast with a chance to take a dip in the sea from a blue flag beach. Port Alfred
is a classy little town with beautiful properties hugging the sides of manmade sea water inlets. Before dinner we’ll be
having a gentle cruise to be nosey.
Day 11 Sun 27th March - Port Alfred to Addo 98 Miles 6 Dirt.
No trip to Africa would be complete without taking in some big game spotting. However it needs to be done with some thought.
Some of the game parks charge upwards of £500 per night and whilst very upmarket, can seem a little sterile. We’ll
actually be visiting three different game parks in one day and are hoping to overnight in the world famous Addo Elephant
Park.
Day 12 Mon 28th March - Addo to Port Elizabeth 50 miles no dirt.
Our final day’s drive is only 50 miles on good roads but, intriguingly, it’s going to take you all morning! Arriving in
Port Elizabeth at lunctime we’ll head for the beach for a relaxing afternoon before heading off in the evening for a South
African farewell party.
Day 13 Tue 29th March - Depart for UK.
Total 1600 Miles of which 434 is dirt.
Created on Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 and was last updated on Friday, May 28th, 2010