Set off for a festive road trip from Johannesburg to KwaZulu-Natal with this fun and quick guide! Essential prep and must-see spots await.
TL;DR - Our version of "I'm not reading all that, *SparkNotes pls.”
- Preparing for your trip includes snacks, emergency kits, and ensuring your car’s safety (brakes, tyres, fuel, and fluids).
- Quick tech tips include downloading offline maps, choosing audio entertainment (playlists or audiobooks) and keeping your battery and power bank(s) fully charged.
- Get familiar with your route to avoid getting lost and wasting fuel trying to find your way back.
- Ensure you insure; get Pineapple’s comprehensive cover for 24-hour roadside assistance. Policies cover flat tyres, no fuel, lost keys, and more.
With the festive season fast approaching, it’s only a matter of time before South Africa’s national roads teem with activity.
And it turns out there’s more to travelling from Johannesburg to KwaZulu-Natal than putting together a fire Maskandi playlist. But, more on that later.
Need some help with quick road trip tips for Joburg to Natal? Pineapple is the plug. With some prep, your drive from the City of Gold to the Zulu nation can be simple and enjoyable.
Each year, thousands of holidaymakers take the N3, the road linking Gauteng and KZN, to visit home, see the sights, or dip their toes in the Indian Ocean.
But neglecting the pre-trip prep is the quickest way to bring down the festive vibes or bring your holiday to a screeching halt. So, pack the essentials, ensure your car’s safety, prep your gadgets, and familiarise yourself with the route ahead.
Here’s how.
Packing Essentials
Those must-have items you own and simply can’t live without? Classify them as essentials and ensure room for them in your suitcase.
Your road trip packing checklist from Johannesburg to Natal should include snacks and water for the drive, toiletries, sunscreen, and swimsuits are a must!
Another crucial thing to pack is a roadside emergency car kit. Having an emergency kit means accidents, breakdowns, or other delays won’t catch you slipping (young people talk meaning ‘unprepared’).
Retailers like Takealot or Midas sell such kits fitted with jumper cables, a warning triangle, and tow ropes, for example.
Car Safety
The Johannesburg to Natal festive season travel is the perfect excuse to brush up on your car’s maintenance.
Before setting off on the open road, check your tyre pressure, brakes, oil and water levels, and other fluids. This will save you the nightmare of getting stranded in the middle of nowhere.
But if it comes down to that, Pineapple’s here to help.
Our roadside assistance is free and available nationwide every day of the year. One call is all it takes for us to tow you to safety. Get a quote now.
Tech Prep
Your tech is a key tool to entertaining the vehicle’s occupants, even if you’re the only one in the car.
Download episodes of your favourite podcast or playlist (like the Maskandi one we mentioned earlier) or a good audiobook to avoid an awkward, silent drive. The stimulation from the soundwaves will help you remain awake and alert—drowsy driving is a real hazard during a long road trip.
You should also have a fully charged power bank and charging cables so your phone’s battery never runs low.
Lastly, download an offline map or GPS to avoid getting lost if you travel in an area with poor network connectivity. Traffic apps can provide real-time updates and alternative routes should there be delays, road works, or other obstructions.
Know the Route
Before the rolling hills of KZN come into view, pick out places that’ll allow you to top up on fuel and food and stretch your legs with a quick bathroom break. By planning your route, you can eliminate the anxiety of wondering how far the nearest petrol station is and when you’ll reach the closest rest stop.
Familiarity with your road trip route also allows you to travel efficiently, meaning you don’t waste time or fuel.
And, by carefully planning your drive, you can anticipate toll gates and the money needed to pay the fee. For instance, did you know that there are five toll gates between Joburg and Durban?
Taking care of these little details before setting off should make your journey that much smoother.
The unmistakable lush greenery, ululating, and Midmar Dam can only mean one thing: you’ve arrived in KZN. This is where you decide: Will your holiday consist of Durban festive season beach activities, or is your real destination a Drakensberg festive road trip?
Or maybe you need help finding the best attractions in Natal for Christmas. Well, Pineapple’s got you covered. And if your car is insured with us, we mean that literally.
Places to visit in KwaZulu-Natal include:
- The Drakensberg Mountains
The best way to recharge your batteries and escape the hustle and bustle of city life is to stop in the Drakensberg. Take in the breathtaking views with a hot-air balloon ride or helicopter trip, or take a treetop canopy tour. Perhaps heart-pounding activities are more our speed. In that case, a rubber tube ride on the white water of the Sterkspruit River may be the thing for you.
- The Durban Beachfront
KZN is home to some of the finest beaches in the world, and the endless activities only enhance the experience. Consider a rickshaw ride along the beachfront—a great way to get around and feel like a real tourist! Travelling is also hungry work, so why not pick up a serving of Durban’s most famed cuisine? You’ll never go wrong with a good curry.
- uShaka Marine World
If you are looking for a fun family destination with marine life and water parks, look no further than uShaka Marine World. It comprises 8 attractions, namely uShaka Sea World, uShaka Wet 'n Wild, uShaka Sea Animal Encounters Island, uShaka Beach, uShaka Village Walk, uShaka Kids World, uShaka Dangerous Creatures and Chimp & Zee. Described as a “world-class entertainment theme park and tourism destination located on Durban’s Golden Mile,” uShaka Marine World is the perfect place for a wholesome adventure.
Whatever side quest you choose to embark on, enjoy it to the fullest! You deserve it after the almost 6-hour drive it took to get there.
With a bit of planning and preparation, your Johannesburg to Natal festive season travel can be as breezy as Durban’s coastal waves. From safety essentials to scenic stops, we trust this road trip guide is an invaluable tool.
Almost as invaluable as Pineapple’s comprehensive car insurance.
Our free 24-hour roadside assistance means nothing can stand in the way of you and your holiday plans, not a flat battery or tyre, a breakdown or no fuel, or a lost key.
Get a quote now to ensure absolute peace of mind with every drive!
Please Note: The information provided above is for informational purposes only; you should not construe any such information as legal or financial advice.
Pineapple (FSP 48650) is underwritten by Old Mutual Alternative Risk Transfer Insure Limited, a licensed Non-Life Insurer and authorised FSP. T&Cs apply.
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