It’s February 27th, and we have just checked out of The Residence, feeling rested and ready to take on South Africa! You can read more about my experience staying in The Residence here. We picked up our hire car from Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Rosebank, Johannesburg, and wow, what a breath of fresh air compared to the chaos at the airport.
Only a quick 10-minute drive from The Residence (Leo did the honours again!), the collection point is tucked neatly into the car park at Oxford Corner (32 Jellicoe Ave). Spotless cars, genuinely friendly staff, slick paperwork and (blissfully) no endless queues. Within minutes, we were on the road and heading towards Montusi Mountain Lodge in the spectacular Northern Drakensberg.
Leaving Johannesburg
Getting out of Johannesburg was refreshingly straightforward. We had directions, but also used our Wave mobile app, and before long, we were cruising along the N3 for our 160-mile stretch south.
As the city thinned out, vast dams and lakes began to appear beside the highway, with sheets of silver-blue water catching the light, some glassy and still, others ruffled by the wind. Fringed by reeds and rolling grassland, they felt almost unexpected against the wide, open farmland. A few had fishermen dotted quietly along the edges, adding to that wonderfully unhurried Free State pace. They were absolutely stunning, definitely one of those moments where you’re grateful you chose to drive rather than fly.
We made a perfectly timed pit stop (okay, coffee, spotless loos, and a lovely shaded garden to escape the fierce midday sun), then continued into the vast openness of the Free State. And this is where the magic of a South African road trip really begins.
The Free State: South Africa
The Free State is known as the country’s breadbasket. With it’s enormous skies, golden horizons, and mile upon mile of maize fields swaying in the breeze, it feels wonderfully expansive and unhurried. Farm silos punctuate the skyline, wind pumps turn lazily in the distance, and roadside stalls pop up unexpectedly, including one gentleman proudly selling tripe, a reminder of the rich, everyday culture that makes travelling here so authentic. It’s rural, real and beautifully raw.
Just after Harrismith we turned off the main road, and the scenery shifted dramatically. The flat plains begin to ripple, then rise. The approach to the Drakensberg is breathtaking boasting its rolling green foothills, dramatic sandstone outcrops, distant peaks layered in blue haze. After good rains, the landscape is intensely green, dotted with grazing cattle and wide-open farmland framed by mountains.
Yes, parts of the smaller road have been washed away in sections, but diversions were clearly signposted and easy to follow. Honestly? Fewer potholes than Brewood, and we even passed a team actively filling them, which felt reassuringly proactive.
My Final Thoughts
This journey could not have been simpler. No stress. No complicated navigation. Just wide roads, light traffic, welcoming pit stops and scenery that rewards you at every turn, whether it be the shimmering lakes and endless maize fields to the dramatic rise of the mountains.
Self-driving South Africa gives you freedom, the ability to stop when you want, take photos when the light hits just right, and experience the country beyond its airports and cities. From polished car hire in Rosebank to the soaring peaks of the Drakensberg, this drive is proof that a South African road trip isn’t daunting… it’s one of the most rewarding ways to explore.
We continue on, and check into the Montusi Mountain Lodge, and WOW… what a treat that was! You can read about my experience by clicking here.
