By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe
The holiday season is in full swing, and the last of the road-trippers are getting ready to drive to their Christmas destinations. Recently, I travelled across three provinces with a journalist friend from West Africa to showcase the beauty of South Africa. What was meant to be a guided tour for someone seeing our country for the first time turned into a reminder for me: you can never truly exhaust Southa. There is always something new to discover when you remain curious.
What surprised me most on this trip were the rest stops and simple roadside coffee shops, those unassuming spots that offer a moment to breathe before the next stretch of road. As thousands prepare to leave Johannesburg and hit the highways this week, here are a few road stops worth pulling into for fuel, food and a proper break before continuing your journey.
Our Ride
On our journey through KZN, the Eastern Cape and the Free State, the trusty Corolla Cross Hybrid proved why it remains a winning formula. The spacious cabin made long stretches comfortable, with ample boot space for luggage, cooler bags and snacks. Its quiet engine and smooth handling eased the fatigue of long stretches of freeways, winding rural town roads and unpredictable potholes. Tech and safety features like Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Monitoring offered peace of mind on unfamiliar terrain. Practical, efficient and confident on a detour gravel patch, the Corolla Cross delivered a relaxed, family-friendly trip without sacrificing style or sophistication. Seamless smartphone connectivity through Android Auto kept the soundtrack going, GPS active, and alerts flowing, helping us navigate with confidence throughout the trip.
KwaZulu-Natal
Our road trip began at 06h00, leaving Greenside in Johannesburg in the quiet Corolla Cross for Durban. As the self-appointed guide, I had mapped out an itinerary that would get us to PheZulu Safari Park in Botha’s Hill by 13h00 to immerse ourselves in Zulu culture and set the tone for two days in Durban.
Rest Stop: Harrismith
We pulled into the Harrismith stop and chose Mugg & Bean for coffee and their giant muffins. Like true journalists, we opened our laptops and worked for almost two hours, taking us off our schedule.
Back on the N3, an accident at Van Reenen’s Pass forced a detour via Bergville and Little Switzerland, a place I'd never heard of. With more closures along the route, we only arrived in Durban at 18h00, having abandoned the Zulu dancing session.
Accommodation was spontaneous. A last-minute Booking.com browse landed us in a modest South Beach apartment near Addington Hospital. The sea views still brought holiday nostalgia, reminding me of carefree beachfront trips with friends in my youth.
The next morning, we checked out, became digital nomads, hunted for coffee shops, and searched for better accommodation. With limited options along the beachfront, Wimpy surprised us with a decent brew. In the end, Durban delivered and proved to be a worthy stop. This included window shopping at Gateway, bunny chows from Cane Cutters restaurant, a memorable musical at The Playhouse, and finally, a much better holiday apartment in Umhlanga.
Eastern Cape
Saturday morning at 06h00, we said goodbye to eThekwini and set course for the Eastern Cape, Mthatha to be specific. Our mission was to xplore the Mandela Route, starting at the museum in Mthatha, then the Qunu installation, before lunch at Madiba’s home prepared by his chef of 22 years, Chef Xoliswa Ndoyiya.
Rest Stop: Kokstad
After nearly four hours on the road, we stopped in Kokstad for breakfast. Wimpy once again saved the day, our go-to rest station. The breakfast, coffee and friendly service did not disappoint.
Stop-and-go traffic and poor road conditions delayed us, and we arrived in Mthatha at 13h00, just as the Mandela Museum closed. Instead, we continued straight to Qunu where Chef Xoli guided us through the museum before taking us home, where she served a hearty lunch of Mngqusho, hard-body chicken, greens, and fruit salad. Conversation flowed as easily as the meal.
By 17h00, we were back on the road, heading to East London for the night, where we settled into a beautiful holiday apartment in Beacon Bay. The next morning was bliss. We beach-hopped from Bonza Bay to Nahoon, soaking in white sands and ocean breeze.
We then drove to Mdantsane for some street food, umnqambulo (cow head meat) and steam bread. Then we were off to Bleomfontein. Our first stop was at Astron in Komani for coffee and fuel. A final pause in Aliwal North at Riverside Lodge, in search of sunset views over the Orange River, to round off our Eastern Cape experience.
Free State
We pulled into Bloemfontein at 21h00, exhausted after a long drive, and settled into a cosy cottage in a quiet suburb. Morning brought renewed energy and curiosity to xplore the city. We drove up to Naval Hill to take in sweeping views of the City of Roses and stand before the towering Mandela statue, a moment that stirred reflection and pride.
Rest Stop: Kroonvaal
Heading back to Johannesburg along the N1, roadworks slowed our journey, but one last stop awaited us: Wimpy at the Engen Kroonvaal rest stop. We enjoyed breakfast, hot coffee, and warm service, a reliable comfort after days on the road.
This trip rekindled my love for road travel and reminded me of South Africa’s quiet, everyday beauty. It also reinforced how Wimpy has remained relevant outside major cities, delivering consistency and hospitality when travellers need it most.
