Tours & Experiences Across Route 56
Choose from scenic drives, cultural encounters, mountain hikes, birding tours and cross-border adventures along South Africa's 765km Eastern highlands corridor from Pietermaritzburg to Middelburg!
Scenic & Nature Tours
Mountains, wetlands, farmlands & viewpoints across the entire 765km corridor through KZN and Eastern Cape.
Cultural & Heritage Experiences
Griqua, amaBhaca, amaHlubi, Basotho & Xhosa traditions, community visits across the Route 56 corridor.
Adventure & Outdoor
Hiking, mountain treks & outdoor exploration through the Maloti–Drakensberg and Eastern Cape highlands.
Birding & Photography
Wetlands, grasslands, rare species & guided bird walks at multiple Route 56 locations from Ixopo to Barkly East.
Cross-Border Lesotho Tours
Mountain Kingdom adventures from Route 56 border towns – Qacha's Nek, Sani Pass & beyond.
Multi-Day Route 56 Journeys
Extended tours covering the entire 765km corridor from Pietermaritzburg to Middelburg with accommodation.
Why Explore Route 56?
Route 56 is one of South Africa's most scenic yet underexplored mountain corridors, spanning 765 kilometers from Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal through the Eastern Cape highlands to Middelburg. The route passes through:
- Pietermaritzburg – Historic capital city and southern gateway
- Richmond & Ixopo – KZN Midlands towns with rolling hills and agriculture
- Kokstad – East Griqualand center with unique Griqua heritage and amaBhaca culture
- Matatiele – Major highland town with amaHlubi and Basotho heritage
- Cedarville – Premier wetlands and birding destination
- Maclear – Mountain town with rich Xhosa heritage
- Barkly East – Historic Eastern Cape town and adventure hub
- Elliot, Indwe, Dordrecht – Eastern Cape highland communities
- Middelburg (EC) – Northern terminus in the Karoo highlands
- Maloti & Drakensberg Foothills – Dramatic landscapes bordering Lesotho
Whether you're seeking cultural immersion with Griqua, amaBhaca, amaHlubi, Basotho or Xhosa communities, outdoor adventure, wildlife encounters, or scenic drives, Route 56 offers authentic experiences away from the crowds across diverse landscapes and cultures.