Little stops along the way make it a pleasant journey – you get to know the local flavour and heartbeat of a dorp. Next time you go on holiday, why not plan ahead and stop by any one of these dorpies?

Dullstroom | Mpumalanga
A proper stop in Dullstroom is a must if you’re headed to the Kruger. Your family will quickly forget the long hours in the car after a hearty lunch at Harrie’s Pancakes and mosey around the town.

Vanderkloof | Northern Cape
If you’re driving to Cape Town from up North and you have time, skip a large chunk of the N1 and go to Richmond via Bloemfontein Petrusburg, Koffiefontein, De Aar and Hanover. Then do yourself a favour and turn off when you see a sign pointing towards Vanderkloof (between Luckhoff and Petrusville). Vanderkloof has optimistically been called the Monaco of South Africa, and while we won’t go that far, we’ll admit it is pretty impressive. The Vanderkloof Dam catches water stretching 100 km in length, and the view across the blue water of the semi-desert Karoo landscape is magnificent.

Riversdale | Western Cape
Riversdale is a convenient and utterly lovely stop between Cape Town and the Garden Route, as well as the perfect halfway-ish stop for those travelling between the Cape and Gqeberha.
This little dorpie is so tiny that you can explore it without adding hours to your travel time. Drive around town to find the perfect spot to see the Sleeping Beauty Mountain. Once you see it…

Graaff-Reinet | Eastern Cape

Depending on your origin, Graaff-Reinet is a great stop-here town on the way to George, Gqeberha, and Kimberley. Walk around the Dutch Reformed Church to admire the architecture, and take a drive all the way up to experience the sheer drops and dolerite cliffs of the Valley of Desolation. The views across the plains of the Camdeboo will stay with you long after you return home from your trip.

Bethlehem | Free State
Bethlehem is one of South Africa’s most unassuming towns and the ideal stopover on the way to Lesotho. Drive around town to admire beautiful sandstone houses and visit the Bethlehem Museum housed in the old Nazareth Mission Church on Muller Street. You will find several historical items at the museum, the most popular being an old steam train housed on the grounds.

Kakamas | Northern Cape
If you are on your way through the Green Kalahari to the Augrabies Falls or the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, make sure to not miss out on the quirky little towns along the way. Kakamas was initially built by a church and named after the Khoi word for ‘poor pasture’. The name poorly reflects on a fertile valley in the lower Orange River, graced with vineyards and cotton as
well as the lucerne fields. Here you’ll find padstalle selling delicious, export quality dates, grapes and wine. Die Pienk Padstal should be at the top of your list for stocking up on local delicacies.

Bloemfontein | Free State
The City of Roses is famous as a pass-through-dorp. The fuel stations next to the N1 bargain on travellers not venturing into Bloem – and you’ll find them flooded with holidaymakers. Take the Nelson Mandela turn-off and head to Westdene for home-made ice tea and cake, or delicious hamburgers in the garden at Koekela Huiskafee. Kids will welcome the chance to stretch their legs after hours of bickering in the back of the car. Support local before you leave by buying your takeaway coffees at Stereo Café. You won’t feel rushed,  and your car won’t smell like takeaways. It’s a win all around.

Words by Mart-Marié du Toit
Photography: Courtesy Images