Blyde River Canyon, Panorama Route Image

Self Drive Budget Safaris in South Africa

Published on 21 June 2012, Last updated on 24 January 2025.

By Landia Davies in Adventure Travel & Activities.

South Africa is ideal for road trips. And, self-drive holidays are one of the best ways to go. South African self-drive trips are an affordable and easy way to travel around South Africa on your own. The major perk of self-drive tours is that you don't need to make all of your bookings individually and spend hours researching your trip through South Africa.

Why South Africa is great for self-drive road trips

South Africa is a great place for independent overland travel because it is/has:

it is absolutely beautiful - with scenery ranging from mountain passes and rugged coastlines to open savannahs and semi-arid deserts.
home to a rich diversity of wildlife, cultures, and landscapes offering a varied and interesting journey with something for everyone.
dotted with many quaint small towns, quirky farmstalls, and fascinating attractions that make for excellent stops between destinations.
first-world infrastructure in most areas: well-maintained roads, high standards of accommodation, and numerous restaurants and supermarkets.
excellent cell phone coverage and internet access to help ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.
favourable exchange rates for visitors from Europe, the United States, and many others.
well-signposted roads and comprehensive online maps, so chances are you won't get lost.
reliable roadside assistance services and affordable car rental options.
safe in most areas and one of the most stable African countries.

What makes self-drive road trips so awesome?

It's a best-of-both-worlds kind of arrangement. You get to enjoy the benefits of an organized tour without having to share your experience with a tour group of random people. On our featured self-drive trips, we book your accommodation, arrange your car hire and provide you with directions for your journey. And, voilà - off you go!

Freedom of a flexible itinerary
Independent travel style, without a tour group and shared vehicle.
Lower costs on tour accommodation
Well-selected accommodation options vetted by experienced travellers.
Choose the kind of car you want to drive (match your budget and style)
Reliable car rental companies used
Directions for your trip itinerary
Customize your journey to suit you

We provide you with directions for your itinerary

Each of the self-drive packages is designed to include the top highlights and attractions that make the various parts of this diverse African country so unique.

South African Self-Drive Tours with African Budget Safaris

Here are 3 of the best Self Drive Safaris exploring different parts of South Africa:

More about our South African Self-Drive Tours

Johannesburg to Kruger National Park Self-Drive Tour

The highlights of this package are game viewing in Kruger National Park and travelling through the scenic Panorama Route at your own pace.

The package includes your accommodation in Kruger National Park, game drives, meals, and park fees. Alternatively, you can simply book your accommodation in Kruger Park. This self-drive tour makes arranging your Kruger Safari a breeze.

Lion Cub in Kruger Park image

Cape Town to Garden Route Tour - Self-Drive Package

This self-drive safari takes you from Cape Town to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) via the scenic Garden Route coastline of South Africa.

Visit the famous Cape winelands in the Western Cape, then the whale capital of South Africa, Hermanus, and on to Oudtshoorn, renowned for its ostriches.

Explore the world-famous Garden Route, stopping at the charming coastal towns of Knysna and the Wilderness, before going game viewing in the malaria free Addo Elephant National Park. This budget safari ends in the friendly city of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), home to pretty beaches. The itinerary is available in reverse order, ending in Cape Town.

Take a closer look at the Cape Town to Garden Route Self-Drive Tour

Cape Point in South Africa image

Durban to Johannesburg or Johannesburg to Durban Self-Drive Safari

A nature lover's delight, this budget tour offers spectacular scenery and warm beaches.

Drive from Durban to the coastal town of Ballito for a relaxing day on a tropical beach on the North Coast of Kwazulu Natal, before heading to St Lucia, where you explore the Greater St Lucia Wetland Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, you visit the prestigious Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park for game viewing in this Big Five wilderness area.

Leaving the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park drive to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary in Eswatini for more game viewing. Returning to South Africa your next stop is the historic mining town of Pilgrims Rest, on the scenic Panorama Route. This scenic and wildlife journey ends in the dynamic city of Johannesburg.

View the Johannesburg to Durban Self-Drive Safari to find out more.

Gqeberha to Durban or Durban to Gqeberha Self-Drive Safari

This self-drive explores two provinces of South Africa visiting remote areas that are home to some of the country's best beaches.

Set off from the coastal town of Port Alfred, the Sunshine Coast's capital, driving to the rugged Wild Coast. Stops include the seaside villages of Cintsa and Port St. Johns, offering unspoiled beaches and rich cultures. From the Wild Coast, you continue further up the coast towards the south coast of Natal and the warm Indian Ocean. The self-drive package ends in the vibrant city of Durban with its rich Indian and Zulu cultural influences. This budget safari is ideal for family holidays.

South Africa's Wild Coast Image

Pilanesberg & Sun City Self-Drive Tour Package

Combine game viewing in the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park with an exciting day at the world-famous Sun City holiday resort, in just 4 days!

A great short getaway only two hours drive from Johannesburg city, offering Big Five game viewing and top-class entertainment at Sun City with its multitude of attractions and activities, from casinos and golf courses to The Palace of the Lost City and the Entertainment Centre.

Sun City Image