African Road Trips For Families: 16 Self-Drive Itineraries (2026)

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From north to south and everything in between, these African road trip itineraries will inspire serious wanderlust. Get ready to start planning your self drive Africa family trip! These Africa road trip ideas are essential for your road trip bucket list!

The Ultimate African Road Trip

Africa may not be the first place you think of when planning a family vacation, yet there is so much for all ages to love. Is it possible to visit Africa with kids? Absolutely!

And this Cairo to Cape Town road trip will take you across most of the African continent if you have the time to explore!

Cairo to Cape Town

TIME NEEDED: Up to 4 months

One of my favourite overland trips was going from Cairo to Cape Town in Africa over four months.  We went from the deserts in the north to the lush green in the east to the bustling city of Cape Town.

One of the highlights for me on this trip was the number of safaris we went on.  I did my first safari in Kenya and from there I was hooked.  

We stopped in all of the national parks such as the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.  

I think I was surprised at how much we saw but it was definitely worth bringing binoculars for safari to see the animals far away.  Each stop along the way was unique and well worth it.

I have so many stories of seeing the big 5 (elephants, buffalo, leopards, lions and rhinos) but one thing that caught me off guard was seeing a giraffe crossing the road as I was driving from eSwatini to South Africa.  

It’s a completely different sight than seeing a deer on the side of the road.

North Africa Road Trips

Your African road trip as a family will be a blast with this North Africa self-drive itinerary through Morocco.

Morocco

TIME NEEDED: At least 2 weeks

In April this year, we did a 2.5 week road trip around Morocco with our boys, who were 3 and 5 years old at the time. 

We hired a car on arrival at Marrakech airport and drove north to the blue city of Chefchaouen, via Rabat, then back down through Moulay Idriss to the Sahara, and back across to Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains.

It was one of our best road trips to date, and we have done A LOT of road trips with our kids.

Morocco is a great option for families in Europe as there are no visa or vaccination requirements, no jet lag, and good connections with low-cost airlines. Or you could even get the ferry across from Spain! 

Plus, the Moroccan landscape is fantastically diverse.

Kids will love running around the maze of colourful medinas, camel riding over the sand dunes of the Sahara, and trekking through the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains on a mule.

Not to mention all the warm interactions they will experience with locals who make a fuss over them.

To plan your Morocco with kids road trip, you will find a full itinerary and costs, as well as accommodation recommendations and tips for hiring a car and travelling Morocco.

Spend a perfect 2 days in Marrakech – completely family-friendly itinerary.

Kigali to Kampala road trip

TIME NEEDED: 10 days

One of the best road trips in Africa runs through two of the smallest countries in the East — Rwanda and Uganda.

This ten-day trip starts in Kigali – Rwanda’s capital. This extremely clean, safe city is an easy introduction to Africa. Kigali has amazing art galleries like Inema Arts, great cafe culture and the must-visit Genocide Memorial.

Then, drive north into Uganda to track gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The experience of standing three meters away from a 350-pound silverback gorilla is indescribable.

Next, try a traditional safari with two days in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Drive through the Ishasha Sector to see the famous tree-climbing lions.

A boat trip on the Kazinga Channel practically guarantees elephant sightings, and you might even have a hippo wander into your campsite!

Continue west toward Kibale Forest National Park. Spend your first day tracking chimpanzees in the park and seeing all manner of monkey and bird species on the Bigodi Swamp Walk.

The next day, check out the day hike options around the Toro Crater Lakes. Local guides cost just $10 for half a day and they’ll take you on trails you’d never find on your own.

This road trip ends with a long drive to Kampala. If you still have any energy left after sitting in hours of traffic, spend a night on the town to experience East Africa’s most exciting nightlife.

Central Africa Road Trip Itineraries

As you venture to the centre of Africa, discover the lesser-known Sao Tome and Principe for beautiful landscape during your Africa family trip by car.

Sao Tome & Principe

TIME NEEDED: 2 days

The tiny island nation of Sao tome & Principe of the west coast of Africa, only has about 140Km/87miles of paved roads around the entire island.

While you might think it would only take you a few hours to drive the whole island, you would be mistaken.

The quality of the road on the southern part of the country is flawless, compared to the northern part that is full of potholes.

You will need two days to cover the entire island, to see the natural and historical sites in Sao Tome.

Drive south and you will see the world’s strangest-looking mountain. The volcano tower is known as Pico Cao Grande at 668m (2,192 ft) high or “Great Dog Peak”. 

Drive to the south and the end of the road so do you have the option to take a small wooden boat to Rolas Island to cross the equator.

If you are here in the right season, you can see the world’s largest turtle. The leatherback lay their eggs here.

Sao Tome might be the easiest country in the world to take a road trip since there is only one road here. There are almost no cars on the entire island outside the capital so there is never any problem to stop anywhere you want along the road to take photos or have a picnic.

However, there are also no gas stations outside the capital, so don’t forget to fill up!

Road Trip In South Africa

Possibly the region that comes to mind is a South Africa road trip. Venture through beautiful self-drive areas in the continent’s southern region with these Southern Africa road trip itineraries.

There is much more to South Africa than Cape Town.

You won’t want to miss any of these highlights as you plan your own family road trip through South Africa.

South Africa: The Garden Route

TIME NEEDED: 7 to 14 days

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Route: Cape Town, Hermanus, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Tsitsikamma National Park, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)

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The Garden Route is the most popular self-drive route in Africa and the perfect introduction to South Africa for families.

Stretching approximately 300 kilometres along the southern coastline from Cape Town east to Port Elizabeth, it combines dramatic ocean scenery, ancient forests, wildlife encounters and adventure activities into one of the most varied and accessible road trips on the continent.

Start in Cape Town with two to three nights to recover from the flight and explore the city. Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Boulders Beach penguin colony and the Cape of Good Hope are all within easy reach. Collect your hire car and head east along the coast.

Your first major stop is Hermanus, the whale watching capital of the world. Between June and December, southern right whales breed in Walker Bay in extraordinary numbers and can be watched from the cliffs above the town without a boat trip. Outside whale season, Hermanus is still a beautiful coastal town worth a night.

Continue to Mossel Bay and then George before arriving at Knysna — the jewel of the Garden Route. The Knysna Heads, where the lagoon meets the Indian Ocean through a narrow cliff passage, is one of the most dramatic natural features in South Africa. The town itself has excellent restaurants, a lively waterfront and easy access to the surrounding forest.

From Knysna, drive into the Tsitsikamma National Park — ancient forest meets the Indian Ocean coast, with suspended boardwalk trails, bungee jumping at Bloukrans Bridge (the world’s highest commercial bungee at 216 metres) and excellent family hiking. Storms River Mouth is one of the most beautiful campsites in South Africa.

End the route in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) where you can fly back to Cape Town or continue east toward the Eastern Cape safari destinations. Addo Elephant National Park is just 75 kilometres from the city and offers Big Five game drives without the crowds or cost of Kruger.

South Africa drives on the left — the same as Australia — which makes it immediately comfortable for Australian families. Roads are generally well maintained and signposted. English is widely spoken throughout the Garden Route. It is the most straightforward African self-drive destination for first-time visitors to the continent.

Practical note: Book accommodation in advance for the Garden Route during South African school holidays (December/January, April and July). Popular towns like Knysna and Hermanus fill up quickly during peak season.

Namibia, Africa

TIME NEEDED: At least 2 weeks

Road tripping in Africa took things to a whole new level for me. We chose a self-drive safari in Namibia because we had researched taking kids on safari and discovered that Namibia is one of the easiest places to do this. 

It’s an incredibly safe country (especially compared to its neighbours), has a relatively low incidence of malaria (we still took anti-malarials just in case) and has absolutely stunning scenery that is incredibly varied. 

We took 2 weeks to do our trip but could easily have added more stops to see more and slow down a bit.

We included Windhoek, the Kalahari Desert, Namib-Naukluft Park (Namib Desert – home to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei), Swakopmund, Sandwich Harbour, Twyfelfontein, Palmwag and Etosha National Park in our itinerary. 

If we had had time, I would have also spent time the Caprivi Strip, Kolmanskop, Luderitz, the Cheetah Conservation Fund and Okonjima Nature Reserve and also further north on the Skeleton Coast than we managed to get. 

We opted for a combination of camping (we had 2 tents on top of our 4×4!) and staying in lodges along the way. 

I can’t even begin to explain how beautiful the country is. It is very spread out so the driving was mostly on gravel roads and pretty tough going but every place we went just took our breath away. 

Johannesburg to Cape Town, South Africa

TIME NEEDED: At least 2 weeks

If you are looking for an adventurous family travel destination, a South Africa road trip is a great choice.

Beautiful beaches, challenging hikes, safari parks and world-famous wine regions all make this one of the most diverse and memorable road trips with kids. 

With 2 to 3 weeks, it is possible to start in Johannesburg and drive to Cape Town via the Garden Route.

With an extra week (or an internal flight), a stop at Kruger National Park to go on safari is essential. 

In Johannesburg, the Apartheid Museum is a sombre but important stop, best with older kids.

From Johannesburg drive to the UNESCO listed Drakensberg Ranges for a few days of spectacular hiking and glimpses of Tugela Falls, the world’s second-highest waterfall.

From the Drakensberg, make your way to the coast via Addo Elephant Park for a mini-safari experience the kids will love.

Once you reach Port Elizabeth, the famous garden route commences – a spectacular coastal road through Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, inland to Oudtshoorn, then on to the southernmost point of Africa, to the wine region of Franschoek and on to Cape Town.

Along the way there are so many great things to do with kids, including hiking, exploring caves, swimming at beautiful beaches and enjoying South African hospitality at some of the best wineries in the country.

Finally, Cape Town. One of the most beautiful cities in the world.  

Take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, see the penguins at Boulders Beach, enjoy the cosmopolitan V&A waterfront and discover Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

It is a great city to explore with kids and the perfect place to finish a trip to South Africa.

Zimbabwe & Zambia: Victoria Falls & The Zambezi

TIME NEEDED: 5 to 7 days

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Route: Victoria Falls Town (Zimbabwe), Livingstone (Zambia), Chobe National Park (Botswana)

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Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and one of those travel experiences that genuinely defies expectation.

At nearly two kilometres wide and over 100 metres tall, the sheer volume of water thundering over the edge of the Zambezi creates a permanent mist cloud visible from 50 kilometres away.

Standing at the viewpoints with spray soaking your clothes in the middle of the day is one of the most exhilarating things you can do anywhere in Africa.

The Falls sit on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, and the great news for road trippers is that both sides are worth visiting and easily combined.

The Zimbabwe side at Victoria Falls Town gives the best panoramic views of the full width of the Falls and is the more developed tourist base with excellent restaurants, accommodation and activity operators.

The Zambia side at Livingstone offers closer access to the lip of the Falls and the famous Devil’s Pool, a natural infinity pool at the very edge of the waterfall that is accessible during low water season between August and January.

For families, the town of Victoria Falls is a compact and walkable base with everything within easy reach. The activities on offer are extraordinary.

White water rafting on the Zambezi (minimum age 15 for Grade 5 rapids, but gentler sections suit younger kids), sunset river cruises spotting hippos and crocodiles, bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge, elephant encounters, guided Falls walks and helicopter flights over the smoke that thunders.

From Victoria Falls, it is an easy drive west into Chobe National Park in Botswana — one of the highest concentrations of elephants in Africa and an extraordinary add-on to any Victoria Falls visit.

The Chobe riverfront game drives are among the best wildlife experiences in Southern Africa.

Practical note: Zimbabwe and Zambia both offer visa on arrival for Australian, New Zealand and most Western passport holders. Fees are payable in US dollars cash. The KAZA UniVisa covers both countries, plus day visits to Botswana and is excellent value for anyone combining the three.

Johannesburg to Durban

TIME NEEDED: 3 weeks

We did a roundtrip from Johannesburg to Durban and back which took us 3 weeks.  You can actually go from Johannesburg to Durban in a few hours because it is only about 400 miles on a very well maintained national road. You would miss SO much, if you did it that way though. 

From Johannesburg, we went to the Drakensberg Mountains for hiking, cycling and other adventure activities.

We then went to the Kingdom of Lesotho and stayed in a national park for more adventure activities. None of these compared to the adrenaline rush that was driving the Sani Pass back down from Lesotho to South Africa.  

We visited Durban, the wetlands of St Lucia, and went on safari in a couple of South African national parks (including Kruger National Park) on our way back up to Johannesburg.  

The Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) is only about a 3-hour drive to Johannesburg. We stopped in eSwatini to see their annual Reed Festival where tens of thousands of young maidens dance in front of the king. 

Driving in South Africa was very easy, but we did take precautions and stayed on the main routes, only driving during the day.

We found a couple of restroom stations in South Africa, but they were far and few between.  

The driving in Lesotho and eSwatini were also easy, but only on the main routes. There are many unpaved roads in these two countries.

We did not see any restrooms either. My husband and son had no problem pulling over on the side of the road, but I was quite dehydrated on the driving days due to the lack of restroom facilities being a concern.

If you are driving into either Lesotho or Swaziland then you need to make sure your rental agency confirms your rental car is permitted to enter these countries.

Make your road trip more fun with these road trip games! Check out our Would You Rather questions, road trip conversation starters and road trip trivia questions that are fun for the whole family! And don’t forget the car activities and road trip snacks!

Namibia to Cape Town

An African road trip may sound a little daunting to some. Images of dirt roads spring to mind and to be fair, we did see quite a few dirt roads during our three months overland trip through Africa.

Some were completely impassable, but our road trip from Namibia to Cape Town was a world away from this.

Namibia and South Africa are two of the most developed and westernised countries in Africa and their infrastructure is great. In fact, South Africa is one of our top recommendations to travel as a family.

There are just so many family-friendly activities in South Africa.

The route from Namibia to Cape Town is very straightforward. The Vioolsdrift border crossing from Namibia into South Africa is open 24 hours and is a breeze.

From there you can head down the N7 for 700km which takes around 6.5 hours and you’ll arrive in Cape Town. But where’s the fun in that?

The beauty of a road trip is that you can do it at your own pace and stop off wherever and whenever you like. And trust us. You’ll want to stop off. The natural beauty along this stretch is outstanding.

Botswana

TIME NEEDED: 2 to 4 weeks

Whether you have two weeks to spend or a month, a self-drive safari in Botswana will more than exceed your expectations. The wildlife in the National Parks is phenomenal.

To start your road trip adventure, I would suggest you fly to Kasane and then hire a car.

The best time to visit is in the dry season between May and September. The daily temperatures will be cooler, and animals tend to congregate at the watering holes. That said wildlife viewing is excellent all year round.

The Chobe riverfront is the most popular route, as its easily accessible and well signposted. The park is home to the big five and its also renowned for its elephant population.

As you drive along the river, you can often see them bathing and playing in the water.

It’s also worth taking a river cruise during your stay as there are plenty of water birds and hippos to see along the banks.

From Kasane is an easy drive down the A33 to Gweta which is the gateway to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. It will take you the best part of a day to get there so you may wish to consider stopping at Nata along the way.

The Makgadikgadi Pans are the largest salt pans in the world and well worth exploring.

From Gweta it’s worth heading to Maun and spending a few days exploring the Okavango Delta. This region is made up of marshland and flood plains, so it’s advisable to have a 4WD or book organised tours.

The area is a must for birdwatchers, but the wildlife is spectacular as well.

If you have a couple more weeks to spare, I would suggest driving from Maun to the Moremi Game Reserve. The scenery in this part of the country is spectacular and for those seeking a thrilling adventure you can drive through Moremi and back into Chobe game reserve.

You’ll need to be competent at handling a 4WD to complete this loop, but it’s well worth the time and effort.

Maputo to Johannesburg

TIME NEEDED: 2 days

Africa truly is an epic continent for road trips, as I found out spending four months with my fiancée travelling overland from Uganda to South Africa. Our final leg was from Mozambique’s bustling capital Maputo to Johannesburg, with just one overnight stop.

Heading west out of Maputo it was a simple one-hour drive to the Komatipoort border crossing into South Africa.

Within 10 minutes of entering South Africa, we’d left the main road, driven into Kruger National Park and come face to face with a white rhino five meters in front of us. We knew that Kruger had lots of wildlife, but hadn’t expected such an immediate and close up encounter!

As the sun went down we trundled slowly to our camp doing an evening game drive, seeing herds of impala and a family of elephants by a watering hole.

After a night listening to the sounds of the bush we set off at dawn for our afternoon flight home.

We spotted lion, buffalo and plenty of birdlife on the way out of Kruger, before heading to Johannesberg airport via one of the most exhilarating stretches of road in southern Africa – the Long Tom Pass. 

Here the Northern Drakensberg mountain drop down to the vast Lowveld plains and winding Blyde River far below, giving jaw-dropping scenes and some incredible photo opportunities!

4 hours later we were on our flight back to the UK, still buzzing from that final leg of our African road trip. 3 years on and we still dream of it…  

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These Africa road trip itineraries will let you explore the best of the continent as you make your way across Africa, through some of the most beautiful landscapes and stopping at interesting towns and villages along the way.

Best of all, your chance to see some of the most magical wildlife in their natural surroundings. No matter your interests, there is sure to be an African road trip route that is perfect for you and your family.

Planning Your African Road Trip

Africa is one of the most rewarding road trip destinations in the world, and one of the most varied. A road trip through Morocco feels completely different from one through South Africa, which feels completely different from one through Kenya.

The continent resists generalisation, which is part of what makes it extraordinary.

Here’s what to know before you go:

Hire car

South Africa has the most developed car hire infrastructure on the continent and is the easiest starting point for a southern Africa road trip.

Morocco is straightforward for self-drive with good car hire availability at major airports. East African countries like Kenya and Tanzania have car hire options, but a self-drive safari requires experience. Most visitors combine self-drive sections with organised game drives.

Driving Licence

An International Driving Permit is recommended for most African countries alongside your home country licence. Obtain one before you leave through your national automobile association.

Requirements vary by country. Check the specific requirements for each country on your itinerary before you travel.

Visa Requirements

Africa has 54 countries and visa requirements vary enormously. Some countries offer visa-free entry for some passport holders, others require advance visas and some offer visa-on-arrival.

Check current requirements for each country on your itinerary at the relevant embassy or government travel advisory website before booking.These change regularly.

Health and Vaccinations

Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry to several African countries and recommended for others.

Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Botswana. Consult your doctor or a travel health clinic at least 6-8 weeks before departure to allow time for vaccinations and prophylaxis to take effect.

Carry a well-stocked first aid kit. Medical facilities in remote areas can be limited.

Best Time To Visit

Timing varies significantly by region. Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana) is best between May and October. Dry season, cooler temperatures and excellent wildlife viewing as animals gather at water sources.

East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) has two dry seasons. January to March and June to October, with the Great Migration in the Serengeti peaking between July and September.

North Africa (Morocco) is best in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Summer temperatures in the Sahara are extreme.

Need more ideas to entertain the kids in the car? Grab our printable road trip activity book.

Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSim. There’s no need to swap physical SIM cards. It takes just a few minutes to set up before you leave. We always use an eSim from Airalo.

Check Out These Road Trip Planning Resources:

• Tips for road trips with kids
• Ultimate family road trip playlist
• DIY kids activity kits for travel
• Travel safety tips
• Guide to planning overseas travel with kids
• Road trip meal planning ideas
• How to plan a camping trip
• European road trips
• Asian road trips
• North American road trips