Roads in Africa
14 roads found in Africa
Browse by Country
Addis Ababa to Lalibela Road
🇪🇹 Ethiopia
The road from Addis Ababa to Lalibela covers approximately 700 kilometers through the Ethiopian Highlands, one of Africa's most dramatic and culturally rich landscapes. The route climbs through the central plateau at elevations consistently above 2,500 meters, passing through the ancient city of Dessie, over the spectacular Blue Nile Gorge (often called Africa's Grand Canyon), and through the Wollo highlands before reaching the sacred town of Lalibela at 2,630 meters. Lalibela is home to eleven medieval monolithic rock-hewn churches carved directly from the living rock in the 12th and 13th centuries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often described as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World.' The road journey itself is unforgettable, traversing a landscape of volcanic plugs, eucalyptus forests, terraced hillsides cultivated by hand, camel caravans on the lowland sections, and dramatic escarpments. While sections of the road have been improved with Chinese-built tarmac, other stretches remain rough, and the journey takes a full 1-2 days depending on conditions.
Avenue of the Baobabs Road
🇲🇬 Madagascar
The Avenue of the Baobabs is a group of approximately 25 towering Grandidier's baobab trees (Adansonia grandidieri) lining a dirt road between Morondava and Belon'i Tsiribihina in western Madagascar. These ancient trees, some estimated to be over 800 years old and standing up to 30 meters tall, create one of the most iconic and photographed landscapes in all of Africa. The road itself is a roughly 20-kilometer stretch of the Route Nationale 8. Once part of a dense tropical forest, the baobabs are now the sole survivors of extensive deforestation for agriculture, standing as majestic sentinels in an otherwise flat, open landscape of rice paddies and sugarcane fields. The road is at its most magical during sunrise and sunset, when the low-angle light casts long shadows and turns the bulbous trunks golden. Despite its fame, the road remains unpaved and can be challenging during the wet season when it turns into a muddy quagmire. The site was designated a national natural monument in 2007.
Chapman's Peak Drive
🇿🇦 South Africa
Chapman's Peak Drive is a 9-kilometer toll road carved into the cliff face of Chapman's Peak on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. Connecting Hout Bay with Noordhoek, the road features 114 curves along its route and offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, the white sands of Noordhoek Beach, and the Sentinel peak. Completed in 1922, the road was an engineering marvel of its time, requiring seven years of construction through hard Chapman's Peak granite. The road was closed for several years due to rockfall danger and reopened in 2003 after an extensive safety upgrade that included catch fences, concrete canopies, and a sophisticated rockfall detection system. The upgrade cost over R155 million and introduced a toll system to fund ongoing maintenance. The road now features half-tunnels in the most exposed sections, protecting vehicles from falling rocks while preserving the spectacular ocean views through open sides. Chapman's Peak Drive is a favorite among film crews and advertisers, having appeared in numerous car commercials and films due to its photogenic curves and dramatic setting. The road is also a key section of the Cape Town Cycle Tour, the world's largest timed cycling event, and the Two Oceans Marathon. The drive offers several marked viewpoints and picnic areas, and the views at sunset are particularly spectacular. The road can close during severe storms or when the rockfall detection system is triggered, so checking conditions before driving is recommended.
Garden Route
🇿🇦 South Africa
The Garden Route is a 300-kilometer stretch of the southern coast of South Africa between Mossel Bay and Storms River along the N2 highway. Named for the diverse vegetation and numerous lagoons, lakes, and rivers found along the coast, it is one of the most popular road trip routes in Africa and arguably the most scenic coastal drive on the continent. The route hugs the Indian Ocean coastline with indigenous forests, dramatic sea cliffs, and golden beaches. Key highlights include the town of Knysna with its famous lagoon and Knysna Heads sandstone cliffs, the Tsitsikamma National Park with its ancient Afromontane forests and dramatic Storms River Mouth suspension bridge, Plettenberg Bay's pristine beaches and whale watching, and the Wilderness section with its chain of coastal lakes. The region's temperate maritime climate supports a unique fynbos ecosystem alongside lush forests of yellowwood and stinkwood trees, and the coast is a calving ground for southern right whales from June to November.
Gorilla Highlands Road
🌍 Uganda
The Gorilla Highlands Road refers to the network of scenic routes connecting Kabale in southwestern Uganda to Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda, passing through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Virunga volcanic chain. The approximately 200-kilometer route crosses between the two countries through some of the most biodiverse and visually stunning terrain in East Africa, climbing through the Albertine Rift highlands at elevations between 1,800 and 2,500 meters. The roads wind through a landscape of impossibly steep, intensively terraced hillsides (giving Rwanda its nickname 'the Land of a Thousand Hills'), dense montane rainforest, bamboo zones, and the dramatic cone-shaped Virunga volcanoes rising to over 4,500 meters. This is the last refuge of the endangered mountain gorilla, with roughly 1,000 individuals surviving in these forests. The driving experience is both humbling and exhilarating, with every bend revealing another breathtaking valley view, and the contrast between the ancient, tangled forest and the meticulously cultivated hillsides is unforgettable.
Lake Kivu Coastal Road
🌍 Rwanda
The Lake Kivu Coastal Road runs approximately 150 kilometers along the eastern shore of Lake Kivu in western Rwanda, connecting the cities of Gisenyi (Rubavu) in the north to Cyangugu (Rusizi) in the south. The road hugs the shore of one of Africa's Great Lakes, a deep volcanic lake sitting at 1,460 meters above sea level in the Albertine Rift, with the volcanoes of the Congo visible across the water to the west. The drive is one of the most beautiful in East Africa, winding through rolling hills covered in banana plantations, coffee farms, and eucalyptus groves, with frequent glimpses of the sparkling blue lake below. The road passes through the charming lakeside towns of Kibuye (Karongi) and Nyamasheke, where fishermen paddle traditional pirogues and children wave from hillside paths. Rwanda's investment in road infrastructure means the route is well-paved throughout, making it one of the most enjoyable drives on the continent. The combination of lake views, volcanic scenery, and the vibrant green of the Rwandan countryside is simply stunning.
Mount Kenya Ring Road
🇰🇪 Kenya
The Mount Kenya Ring Road is a roughly 330-kilometer circular route that encircles Africa's second-highest mountain (5,199 meters) through the fertile highlands of central Kenya. The road passes through a remarkable variety of landscapes: dense cedar and bamboo forests on the wetter southern slopes, tea and coffee estates in the Nyeri and Meru districts, semi-arid bushland on the drier northern slopes, and traditional Kikuyu, Embu, and Meru farmland throughout. The route connects several towns including Nanyuki, Meru, Embu, and Nyeri, and offers numerous viewpoints of the mountain's glaciated peaks and dramatic rock spires. On clear mornings, particularly from the northern side near Nanyuki, the twin peaks of Batian and Nelion present one of the most impressive mountain vistas in Africa. The road also provides access to the various gates of Mount Kenya National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and to community conservancies where wildlife including elephants, buffalo, and even the rare bongo antelope can be found in the montane forest.
Nile Valley Road (Luxor to Aswan)
🌍 Egypt
The Nile Valley Road from Luxor to Aswan follows the west bank of the Nile River for approximately 230 kilometers through Upper Egypt, passing through one of the oldest continuously inhabited corridors of human civilization. The road runs alongside sugarcane fields, date palm groves, and mud-brick villages set against the stark backdrop of the Saharan desert cliffs that frame the narrow fertile strip of the Nile Valley. This route connects two of Egypt's most important archaeological sites: Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes with its Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple; and Aswan, the gateway to Nubia with the Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the High Dam. Along the way, the road passes the temple complexes of Esna, Edfu (one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt), and Kom Ombo. The juxtaposition of ancient monuments, timeless rural life along the Nile, and the vast desert stretching to the horizon makes this one of the most historically atmospheric drives in the world.
Ring Road (Cameroon)
🌍 Cameroon
The Ring Road is a roughly 360-kilometer circular route through the Bamenda Highlands of Cameroon's Northwest Region, encircling the volcanic peaks of the Cameroon Volcanic Line at elevations between 1,500 and 2,200 meters. Starting and ending in Bamenda, the road passes through the traditional chiefdoms of the Grassfields kingdoms, one of the most culturally distinct areas in all of West Africa. The route traverses rolling green highlands reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands but with a distinctly African character: grazing cattle on high plateaus, traditional thatched-roof fon (chief) palaces, crater lakes formed in extinct volcanic calderas, and dense montane forests harboring rare birds and primates. Key stops include the Oku crater lake and the surrounding Kilum-Ijim cloud forest (home to the endangered Bannerman's turaco), the Bafut and Bali chiefdoms with their elaborate traditional architecture, and the scenic Sabga Pass. The road surface ranges from reasonable tarmac to challenging laterite tracks.
Sani Pass
🇿🇦 South Africa
Sani Pass is a mountain road connecting Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with Mokhotlong in Lesotho, climbing to 2,876 meters at the summit on the edge of the Drakensberg escarpment. The gravel road on the South African side is one of the most challenging and spectacular 4x4 routes in southern Africa, with steep gradients of up to 33%, loose rock surfaces, and hairpin bends on exposed cliff edges. A 4x4 vehicle is mandatory for the ascent from the South African side. The pass was originally a bridle path used by the San people and later by traders and missionaries. It was converted to a vehicle track in 1948 and has been gradually improved since, though the South African government has periodically considered paving it. The ascent covers approximately 9 kilometers of increasingly rough terrain, with the final section climbing a series of dramatic switchbacks carved into the cliff face. The views from the upper reaches are extraordinary, with the KwaZulu-Natal midlands stretching out far below and the Drakensberg peaks rising on either side. At the summit, the Sani Mountain Lodge claims to be the highest pub in Africa, offering hot meals and cold drinks to weary travelers. The lodge sits on the Lesotho side of the border, in a landscape of rolling grasslands and shepherds tending their flocks. The pass is also a gateway to the Lesotho Highlands, where remote communities maintain traditional ways of life. Passport controls exist on both sides of the border. The road can be impassable after heavy rain or snow, and conditions change rapidly at this altitude.
Skeleton Coast Road
🇳🇦 Namibia
The Skeleton Coast Road runs along Namibia's haunting and desolate Atlantic coastline through the Skeleton Coast National Park, from Swakopmund north to the Kunene River on the Angolan border. The roughly 500-kilometer route takes its name from the whale and seal bones that once littered the shore, along with the bleached remains of shipwrecks claimed by the treacherous currents, dense fog, and violent surf that characterize this unforgiving coastline. The landscape is one of Earth's most otherworldly: towering sand dunes meet the crashing Atlantic surf, seal colonies numbering in the tens of thousands bask on rocky outcrops, and the rusted hulks of grounded ships slowly dissolve into the sand. The Bushmen called this coast 'The Land God Made in Anger,' and Portuguese sailors knew it as 'The Gates of Hell.' The southern section from Swakopmund to Terrace Bay is accessible by regular vehicle on a salt and gravel road, while the northern section requires special permits and is among the most remote and pristine coastlines on the planet.
Tizi n'Tichka Pass
🇲🇦 Morocco
The Tizi n'Tichka Pass is the highest major mountain pass in North Africa, reaching 2,260 meters in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The road (N9) connects Marrakech with the Saharan city of Ouarzazate over a distance of approximately 200 kilometers, crossing the backbone of the Atlas range. Built by the French Foreign Legion in 1936, the road was a critical military and trade route and remains the primary road link between Marrakech and the Draa Valley oases and film studios of Ouarzazate. The ascent from the Marrakech side takes drivers through a rapidly changing landscape, from the fertile Haouz plain through terraced Berber villages clinging to mountainsides, past groves of walnut and almond trees, and up through increasingly barren terrain to the windswept pass. The road features numerous switchbacks and hairpin bends, and traffic is diverse: modern vehicles share the road with donkeys, overloaded trucks, and local buses navigating the narrow curves at varying speeds. The descent toward Ouarzazate passes through the Berber heartland, where traditional kasbahs (fortified villages) dot the landscape. A detour to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, a stunning fortified village that has served as a filming location for Game of Thrones, Gladiator, and Lawrence of Arabia, is highly recommended. The road is open year-round, though snow can occasionally close the pass in winter. Along the route, roadside vendors sell geodes, fossils, and minerals from the Atlas Mountains, and small restaurants offer traditional Berber tagine and mint tea.
Trans-Sahara Highway
🌍 Algeria
The Trans-Sahara Highway is a network of roads stretching approximately 4,500 kilometers across the Sahara Desert, connecting Algiers in Algeria with Lagos in Nigeria via Tamanrasset, Agadez, and Niamey in Niger. The route follows ancient trans-Saharan trade paths used by camel caravans for centuries to transport gold, salt, and slaves across the world's largest hot desert. While sections in Algeria and Nigeria are now paved, significant stretches through central Niger remain unpaved or deteriorated, making the full crossing one of the world's great overland challenges. The most demanding section runs through the Tenere Desert in northern Niger, an area known as the "desert within a desert," where temperatures can exceed 50 degrees Celsius and sandstorms can reduce visibility to zero. The route passes through the dramatic landscape of the Hoggar Mountains in southern Algeria, where volcanic peaks rise from the desert floor, and through the Air Mountains of Niger. The legendary "Tree of Tenere," once considered the most isolated tree on Earth, stood along this route until it was knocked down by a truck driver in 1973. Crossing the Sahara by road requires extensive preparation, including carrying sufficient fuel and water for several days, traveling in convoy, and registering with local authorities. Political instability and security concerns in the Sahel region have made the full crossing increasingly risky in recent years, and most Western governments advise against travel through parts of the route. Despite these challenges, the Trans-Sahara Highway remains a bucket-list adventure for experienced overlanders and a vital economic corridor for the nations it connects.
Van Zyl's Pass
🇳🇦 Namibia
Van Zyl's Pass is a notorious 4x4 track in the Kaokoveld region of northwestern Namibia, descending approximately 700 meters from the arid plateau into the Marienfluss Valley, one of the most remote and beautiful valleys in Africa. The pass drops through a series of steep, rocky switchbacks with gradients exceeding 45 degrees in places, loose boulder fields, and narrow shelves carved into the cliff face with exposure to sheer drops. Named after the South African farmer who first blazed the route, Van Zyl's Pass is widely regarded as one of the most challenging 4x4 routes in all of Africa. The descent is one-way in practical terms—it is too steep and dangerous to climb in a vehicle. The reward for completing the pass is arrival in the breathtaking Marienfluss Valley, a vast, sand-floored valley flanked by red mountains and home to the semi-nomadic Himba people and their cattle. The area sees perhaps a few dozen vehicles per year, making it one of the most exclusive driving experiences on the continent.