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4x4 road trip in the Northern Cape

Drive a 4×4 through the desolate landscapes of the Northern Cape on an adventurous off the beaten track road trip! Along the way, you'll encounter incredible diversity, meet almost no one, and feel as if the world is yours alone.

Off the beaten track route in the Northern Cape

Discover South Africa's best-kept secret... the Northern Cape! A vast, uninhabited land where you can drive for hours in your 4x4 without encountering a single person. It's the untouched South Africa, offbeat, and offers you the ultimate 'alone in the world' experience.

The Northern Cape is the largest and most sparsely populated province in South Africa. Bordered by Botswana and Namibia, it's a land of extremes: high temperatures in the summer and freezing cold nights in the winter. The landscape is made up of red sand dunes, a massive river surrounded by green vineyards, and remote nature reserves. Every now and then, you'll come across a village consisting of no more than a single street, where time seems to have stood still... Off the beaten track! Read more here about the must-see stops in this rugged area.

The Golden Triangle, maar dan in Zuidelijk Afrika…

Okay, so the Northern Cape is a massive no-man's land, cool! We start at the first highlight at the border of Namibia and Botswana – Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park stretches across the Kalahari Desert and lies partly in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana! The park is huge... In this desert-like park, you’ll find the tough lions with black manes that have adapted to this dry area. Additionally, there's a high chance you'll spot cheetahs and hyenas. A unique desert safari!

Deafening waterfalls

Are you completely obsessed with waterfalls? Then hop into that tough 4×4 and drive straight down. After four hours of crossing, you'll be there! The Augrabies Falls: a bizarre natural phenomenon in the middle of a desert area.

Did you know that these are the largest waterfalls in South Africa? The Orange River, which runs along the border of Namibia and South Africa, plunges sixty metres here, and the sound you hear is deafening. No wonder this place is called ‘Aukoerebis,’ also known as the ‘Place of Great Noise’.

Drifting across a border

The Orange River is a very special river. It is the longest river in South Africa! It originates in the Drakensberg mountains at the border between South Africa and Lesotho, flowing westwards towards the Atlantic Ocean. The river also forms the border between South Africa and Namibia.

Can you imagine it? Drifting along in your canoe on a border area? Well, you can! Hop into your canoe and explore the rugged terrain, with every twist and turn in the winding riverbed revealing a new, breathtaking viewpoint. Scroll down the page, and you can see how Charlie tackles this area by canoe.

Read more about the Orange River and the adventures you can have here!

The colourful flower fields along the Northern Cape.

As you gradually move towards the coast, the desert-like landscape suddenly transforms into a more colourful scenery. This is due to the magical flower fields that bloom in full during August and September. Flora enthusiasts will be delighted in Tankwa Karoo National Park and Namaqua National Park. Tankwa Karoo is a place of silence and tranquillity. Here, dust clouds gently float over the ancient landscape, and the colour of the ground changes with the position of the sun. In the evenings, you can enjoy an endless and breathtaking starry sky! It's no wonder that the festival Africa Burn takes place here every year. This amazing festival is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Namaqua National Park is a park full of contrasts: flower fields, trees, mountains, and dunes roll into the Atlantic Ocean. Between July and November, the park is covered with millions of colourful flowers, but even outside the blooming season, the park is well worth a visit! You can camp beautifully by the sea or stay in a lovely cottage in the dunes. There are endless hiking, 4×4, and mountain bike routes—plenty to do!

A little further towards Cape Town, you’ll find the West Coast National Park. Here too, the flowers are in full bloom in August and September. This park is part of the West Coast, also known as Weskus. Be sure not to miss this coastline during your road trip: along this rugged coastline, you’ll find charming towns where you can enjoy fresh seafood and the most unique and secluded campsites right by the sea! Here, you can read about the best stops in this area.

Finish off with well-deserved luxury in the vibrant Cape Town, surrounded by the beautiful flower fields of the Northern Cape.

After this rugged and adventurous 4×4 road trip, there’s nothing better than ending the journey in style. Add a few more days in Cape Town to your trip and you’ll return fully satisfied from a wonderful holiday. Enjoy the trendy restaurants and beach bars, or rent a car and explore the Cape coastline. Curious about what there is to do? Read all about Cape Town here.

Prefer to explore the Cape Winelands? Stay in Stellenbosch or Elgin Wine Valley, where luxury is a priority, and discover the finest gastronomic delights of South Africa. Read all about the Cape Winelands here.

Unique & Authentic Experiences

Come with us to the authentic sides of Africa. That means authentic connections with local people and keeping a curious eye for the unknown.

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