Plan Your Route 56 Journey

Route 56 (R56) is one of South Africa's most scenic mountain corridors, spanning approximately 765 kilometers from Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal through the Eastern Cape highlands to Middelburg. This spectacular route connects diverse communities and landscapes:

• Pietermaritzburg – Historic capital city, southern gateway to the route
• Richmond & Ixopo – Scenic KZN Midlands towns with rolling hills
• Kokstad – East Griqualand center with unique Griqua and amaBhaca heritage
• Matatiele – Major highland town with amaHlubi and Basotho culture
• Cedarville – Premier wetlands destination and birding hotspot
• Maclear – Mountain town with rich Xhosa heritage
• Barkly East – Historic Eastern Cape town and adventure center
• Elliot – Eastern Cape Xhosa community and agricultural hub
• Indwe – Small Eastern Cape town with railway heritage
• Dordrecht – Highland farming community
• Middelburg (Eastern Cape) – Northern terminus in the Karoo highlands
• Maloti & Drakensberg Foothills – Dramatic landscapes bordering Lesotho

The corridor offers diverse experiences from cultural immersion with Griqua, amaBhaca, amaHlubi, Basotho and Xhosa communities to mountain adventures, wetland birding and cross-border exploration into Lesotho.

By Road

Route 56 is accessible from multiple directions, making it easy to include in broader travel itineraries.

• From Durban: ±1.5 hours to Pietermaritzburg, ±4.5 hours to Kokstad, ±5 hours to Matatiele (N3 then N2 then R56)
• From Johannesburg: ±5 hours to Pietermaritzburg, ±8-9 hours to Matatiele via Harrismith
• From East London: ±4 hours to Barkly East, ±6 hours to Matatiele
• From Port Elizabeth: ±5 hours to Middelburg (EC), ±7 hours to Barkly East
• From Bloemfontein: ±4 hours to Middelburg (EC), ±5 hours to Barkly East

Route 56 Corridor Driving: The full 765km route takes approximately 9-10 hours of pure driving time without stops. Most travelers break this into multiple days to fully experience the diverse towns and attractions. Allow 5-7 days for a comprehensive exploration.

By Air

Multiple airports serve different sections of the Route 56 corridor:

• King Shaka International Airport (Durban) – Best for southern Route 56 (Pietermaritzburg, Kokstad, Matatiele)
• Pietermaritzburg Airport – Small regional airport, closest to southern terminus
• Umtata Airport (Mthatha) – Good for central Route 56 (Matatiele, Maclear)
• East London Airport – Best for northern/central Route 56 (Barkly East, Elliot)
• Bloemfontein Airport – Convenient for northern Route 56 (Middelburg, Dordrecht)

Route56 Adventures provides private shuttle transfers from all major airports to any Route 56 destination.

View Shuttle Options

Border Crossings to Lesotho

Route 56 provides excellent access to Lesotho's mountain kingdom from several points:

• Qacha's Nek Border Post – 30 minutes from Matatiele (most convenient, tar road)
• Sani Pass – 2.5 hours from Kokstad/Matatiele (4x4 required from SA side, spectacular scenery)
• Ramatseliso's Gate – Northern access near Barkly East direction
• Tele Bridge – Access point near Matatiele

Be sure to carry your ID or passport. Some nationalities may require a visa for Lesotho. Our cross-border tours handle all formalities and provide experienced guides.

View Lesotho Tours

Weather Considerations

The Route 56 corridor experiences dramatic variation in weather due to its length (765km) and elevation changes. Southern sections (Pietermaritzburg, Ixopo) are generally milder and more humid. Central highlands (Kokstad, Matatiele, Maclear) experience cold winters with snow. Northern sections (Barkly East to Middelburg) have extreme temperature variations. Always pack layers and check forecasts for multiple towns along your route.

Safety & Navigation

• Hiking: Always stick to marked routes, inform someone of your plans, never hike alone in remote areas
• Guides: Strongly recommended for mountain, rural, or cross-border travel
• Cell Signal: Coverage varies significantly – download offline maps for entire corridor
• Fuel: Fill up in all major towns (Pietermaritzburg, Kokstad, Matatiele, Maclear, Barkly East, Elliot, Middelburg)
• Road Conditions: Main R56 is tar, but side roads often gravel – check conditions before travel
• Wildlife & Livestock: Animals often cross roads – drive carefully, especially dawn/dusk
• Remote Sections: Some stretches between towns are isolated – travel prepared

Local Facilities Across Route 56

• Banking: ATMs in all major towns, limited in smaller settlements
• Communications: Vodacom & MTN have best coverage, Cell C variable
• Fuel: Available in major towns, limited hours on weekends
• Accommodation: Guesthouses, B&Bs in most towns – advance booking essential in peak season
• Restaurants: Limited dining options between major towns – plan accordingly
• Shops: Groceries and basics in major towns, very limited elsewhere
• Medical: Clinics in larger towns, hospitals in Pietermaritzburg, Kokstad, Matatiele, Barkly East, Middelburg

Cultural Etiquette

• Greet people respectfully, especially elders (handshakes common)
• Always ask permission before photographing people or cultural ceremonies
• Dress modestly when visiting rural communities and cultural sites
• Learn basic greetings in isiXhosa ("Molo"), Sesotho ("Dumela"), and Afrikaans
• Support local businesses, crafters and community tourism initiatives
• Respect traditional customs, ceremonies and sacred sites
• Be culturally sensitive – you're traveling through diverse communities with different traditions

Accessibility

We offer accessible shuttle options and can customize experiences for mobility-assisted travelers. Some attractions (certain wetlands boardwalks, viewpoints with parking) are wheelchair accessible, but many mountain trails and rural areas are not. Contact us in advance to discuss specific accessibility needs and we'll design appropriate experiences.

Internet & Connectivity

WiFi available at most guesthouses and hotels in major towns. Cell coverage (Vodacom, MTN best) is good in towns but spotty or non-existent in remote areas between towns. Download offline maps, music, and content before venturing into rural sections. Consider purchasing a local SIM card in Pietermaritzburg or another major city.

Language

English and Afrikaans are widely spoken in towns. Rural areas may be predominantly isiXhosa (especially central/northern Eastern Cape), Sesotho (near Lesotho border), or local dialects. Learning a few basic phrases will be greatly appreciated by local communities.