TRAVEL AFRICA
THE LONG WAY THROUGH WINTER
BY BYRON LUKAS
Across Africa, the road has a way of changing the journey. From Botswana’ s wildliferich waterways to Namibia’ s desert horizons and Morocco’ s mountain routes, these self-drive escapes offer space, scenery, and a slower kind of adventure. For travellers willing to take their time, the long way often reveals the best of the continent.
Better yet, some of the continent’ s most spectacular landscapes reveal themselves one kilometre at a time. From Botswana’ s wild waterways to Morocco’ s mountain passes and Namibia’ s red deserts, these road trips reward travellers willing to take the long way. Each stop offers a different pace, perspective, and sense of discovery.
BOTSWANA: WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE This is not about racing from one attraction to the next. It is about slowing down, looking around, and embracing the unexpected. A road trip through northern Botswana can feel like a safari where you happen to be behind the wheel.
The route from Maun through the fringes of the Okavango Delta and towards Chobe National Park is packed with wildlife encounters. Elephants regularly stroll across the road as if they own it. To be fair, they probably do.
Winter is the prime game-viewing season. As water sources become gathering points for animals, making it easier to spot everything from giraffes and buffalo to lions and leopards.
The roads can be challenging in places, but that’ s part of the adventure. Every dusty detour comes with the possibility of discovering something extraordinary around the next bend.
MOROCCO: MOUNTAINS, MEDINAS, AND MAGIC Start in Marrakech and head towards the Atlas Mountains, where winding roads snake through dramatic valleys and ancient Berber villages. While Morocco will be in summer during South Africa’ s winter months, the higher mountain routes can still offer a welcome break from the heat, with dramatic shifts from city streets to earthy red passes and desert horizons.
The journey becomes even more spectacular as you continue towards the Sahara Desert. Rocky plateaus, palm-filled oases, and golden dunes create a constantly changing backdrop, making the drive feel less like a route and more like a story unfolding.
Along the way, roadside markets tempt travellers with fresh dates, colourful spices, and handcrafted treasures. Every stop feels like a scene from a movie. Unlike road trips focused purely on scenery, Morocco combines landscapes with centuries of history, culture, and cuisine.
NAMIBIA: DESERT DREAMS AND ENDLESS HORIZONS With some of the best-maintained roads in Africa and traffic jams consisting of wandering springbok, Namibia was made for self-drive adventures.
The route from Windhoek to Sossusvlei is one of the continent’ s most iconic journeys. Along the way,
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