Any Excuse for a Road Trip

South Africa is Only So Big, Which Presents a Bit of a Problem to Regular Travellers. If You Can’t Afford to Travel Overseas to Experience Something Completely New, What Can You Do?

- Alex Shapiro

LUCKILY, we live in a country where no experience is ever quite the same as before. You could visit the same spot every year for a decade and chances are you’ll get 10 different experiences.

It’s a strange phenomenon. Strange but true. The Panorama Route in Mpumalanga is a prime example. If you’re a South African living in the northern parts of the country, there’s a 90% chance you’ve been there and an 80% chance you’ve been more than once.

Yet, there’s always something special which makes every experience different to the rest. Or perhaps it’s just a case of being caught up in the romance of travelling that we find so special?

We travelled down the Panorama Route recently and, once again, it was a special affair. Like so often before, the route provided special views, people and places. What made this time unique is the multitude of vehicles from which we viewed all of it.

Not one, but every one of the Haval SUVs offered in South Africa.

WHAT IS THE PANORAMA ROUTE?

In case you happen to be one of those who have never visited this particular part of South Africa, the route explores the Mpumalanga Highlands, or the north-eastern section of the great escarpment of the Drakensberg.

These rugged mountains create one of our country’s most scenic self-drives. It is here that the plateau comes to an abrupt and dramatic halt, falling steeply away into the Lowveld, accompanied by incredible views over the grasslands of Africa.

Love driving winding roads, experiencing amazing views and enjoying awesome places to stop? Put this on your list of destinations to visit. Best part? It’s only four hours from Johannesburg.

WHY, THOUGH?