Best scenic drive destinations in Africa
Best scenic drive destinations in Africa
High mountain passes and coastal ocean highway loops in Africa
Road trips across Africa often mean covering serious distance, with some of the most memorable drives found in countries built around wide open, well maintained roads.
Namibia has built its whole tourism model around self driven trips, with good roads connecting desert landscapes, wildlife areas and striking dune fields across huge distances. South Africa's Garden Route remains one of the continent's best known drives, following the coast between forests, beaches and small towns for a few unhurried days. Morocco offers a very different style entirely, with winding mountain roads through the Atlas range connecting Berber villages perched on steep hillsides. Distances elsewhere on the continent can be considerable, so planning fuel stops and rest breaks matters more here than on shorter routes.
The destinations on our list for Africa reflect that same range, from long desert crossings to shorter, more relaxed coastal routes.
Lists by region
Road in South Africa
Garden Route
Scenic vineyards and coastal cliffs
Salt air and damp forest smells drift through the car window along the N2. The route runs about 300 km from Mossel Bay to Storms River. Bloukrans Bridge gives a view over a deep river gorge. Wilderness has quiet lakes and the Touw River. Robberg Nature Reserve is near Plettenberg Bay.
City in Egypt
Aswan
Nile Islands, Nubian Culture, Golden Light
Highway 75 runs 280 km south across empty desert to Abu Simbel. The drive takes 3 to 4 hours one way. Lake Nasser appears in the distance now and then. Most travellers leave near 4 am to reach the temples when the site opens at 6 am. Fill the tank in Aswan.
Region in Morocco
Atlas Mountains
Majestic peaks echo ancient desert horizons
Tizi n'Tichka is a pass above 2,200 metres on the road from Marrakech to Ouarzazate. French army engineers built it in 1936. It has more than 100 turns and cliffside villages. Stop at Kasbah Telouet and Aït Benhaddou on the way. Snow can close it from November to March.
City in Morocco
Ouarzazate
Gateway to the Sahara & Cinema
Growers in the Valley of Roses pick petals each April and May. Roads east of town form the Route of 1,000 Kasbahs, a loop of palm oases and mud brick villages. The Dades Gorge drive is about 60 km and has switchbacks. Todra Gorge has walls about 300 metres tall.
Town in Namibia
Swakopmund
Coastal charm meets desert horizons
Cooler than the desert behind it, this fog-wrapped coast has the C34 road. It runs about 300 km north through Henties Bay towards Torra Bay. The stretch to Henties Bay was paved in 2019. Beyond it the road is made of packed sand and salt.
Historic Site in Ethiopia
Lalibela
Stone churches echoing centuries of faith
In the northern Ethiopian highlands, a road climbs towards Asheton Maryam. This church is carved into a cliff on Mount Abuna Yosef. A newer road cuts the walk to about 10 minutes. Yemrehanna Kristos is 30 km away. Nakuta La'ab is 7 km out and is best at sunset.
City in Zambia
Livingstone
Gateway to Victoria Falls Adventure
Between March and May the Zambezi is at its fullest and the spray is thickest. Victoria Falls is only about 10 km from town. Locals call the falls Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means the smoke that thunders. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park has a short game drive along the river.
National Park in Botswana
Chobe National Park
Elephant Haven in Botswana
Botswana's first national park grew from a game reserve set up in 1960. Its riverfront trails follow the Chobe River between Ngoma and Sedudu Gates. Elephants and buffalo come to drink in the late afternoon. April to October is the dry season. Self-drive is possible, though Savuti tracks are very sandy.
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