5 Epic SA Routes That Will Make You Want to Quit Your Job, Buy a Ford, and Hit the Road Today!

It’s an incontrovertible truth: South Africa’s natural beauty is as rich and diverse as the dialects that echo from the Cape of Good Hope to the Limpopo River. With the World Wildlife Fund slotting South Africa into the world’s top three for biodiversity, the only real question is, how are you going to explore it all? By foot? Please. This is a job for horsepower and diesel – the kind that growls softly under the hood of a Ford.

But here’s the thing: with the nation’s landscape more varied than a buffet at a wedding (where you actually like both families), plotting your road trip can be as challenging as deciding whom to seat Uncle Geoff next to. Fear not, intrepid traveler. From the spine-tingling heights of mountain passes to the soul-soothing expanses of the Karoo, someone from the Ford camp have mapped out the top five routes to test your mettle and your metal – specifically, the kind of metal forged by Ford.

1. Swartberg Pass: A masterpiece carved by Thomas Bain, linking quaint towns over a gravel dance floor 27km long. It’s like nature’s own rally stage, minus the sponsors and plus incredible views. Come winter, it’s all about the snow-dusted challenge. But fear not, the Ford Territory’s raised ride height laughs in the face of such conditions, offering a ride smoother than your favorite whiskey.

2. Tankwa’s R355: South Africa’s longest dirt runway, tailor-made for those who view a flat tyre as just part of the adventure. Stretching 250km, it’s a journey through the Tankwa Karoo that promises endless horizons and, if you’re lucky, a celestial light show come nightfall. The Ford Ranger Raptor, with its suspension by FOX and tyres tougher than a two-dollar steak, turns this tyre slayer’s dream into a serene cruise.

3. Sani Pass: This is not for the faint of heart, nor the faint of engine. It’s a climb to the roof of Africa, with views so breathtaking you’ll forgive the altitude for any shortness of breath. Recommended vehicle? A 4×4, without question. And what better choice than a Ford equipped to tackle those deceptive switchbacks with the grace of a gazelle on, well, very steep hills.

4. Naude’s Nek: Connecting historical farming communities with a road that showcases the high Eastern Cape in all its glory. When winter whispers sweet nothings to the weather, bringing snow and ice, you’ll be thankful for the warmth and traction of a trusty Ford, guiding you safely to views that might just make you forget to blink.

5. Orrie Baragwanath Pass: Only the bravest souls venture here, where the roads are as unyielding as the surrounding nature is beautiful. The Ford Ranger Tremor and Wildtrak X, with their off-road cruise control, make it so you can focus on the vistas rather than the vertigo-inducing drops.

Gideo Basson, a seasoned explorer with Ford South Africa’s off-road Adventure Club, sums it up best: “Driving these routes in a Ford, you’re not just passing through; you’re part of the landscape. It’s about reliability, comfort, and the kind of fuel efficiency that means the adventure only stops when you want it to.”

So, whether you’re a thrill-seeker chasing the adrenaline rush of high-altitude passes or a contemplative soul in search of peace among the vast expanses of the Karoo, there’s a Ford ready to turn every journey into an adventure. Just remember, in South Africa, the journey isn’t just about where you’re going, but what you’re driving to get there.

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