The drive home from a place you’ve really enjoyed—and from people you’ve loved spending time with—can sometimes feel a little dull. But South African roads have a way of surprising you. Especially the N1, whether you’re travelling from Johannesburg to Cape Town or the other way around, the route is filled with remarkable scenery. If you’re the kind of driver who just wants to get from point A to point B, you might not notice much of it. But it’s easy to forget just how beautiful the South African landscape really is.
Today we drove from Bloemfontein in the Free State back to Randburg in Johannesburg. It was a pleasant day for driving: a few showers around midday, followed by good cloud cover for most of the journey. As a passenger, I had the luxury of really taking in the scenery. I’ve always had a fascination with clouds and light, but what stood out most was the sheer expansiveness of the landscape. In the flatter areas of the Free State, the view feels almost endless—a full 360-degree panorama stretching far into the horizon. Thanks to the good rainfall over the past couple of months, the Highveld is lush and green, and it was truly a joy to see.
We stopped at the Shell garage in Kroonstad, a place I’ve visited many times over the years. I was surprised by how busy it was, especially considering that this isn’t usually the peak time for people returning from the coast to Johannesburg—that tends to happen just after the New Year. Inside, the service station felt more like a mini mall, with several eateries including KFC, Mochachos, Steers, and others.
Earlier in the month, news reports suggested that many people were worried about the December petrol price increase and might opt for staycations instead of travelling. But judging by the number of cars on the road and at service stations like the one in Kroonstad, plenty of people have still chosen to travel by road. Despite higher fuel prices and toll fees, road travel remains popular, and the N1 is generally in good condition throughout.
Outside the service station, we came across something quite unexpected: a small herd of Ankole-Watusi cattle. This modern African breed, originating from East and Central Africa, is known for its strikingly large horns. These cattle are reportedly on a conservation watch list and are quite rare, even within Africa. Seeing them reminded me of a sign we’d passed earlier in the journey that encouraged travellers to “learn something new each day.” That moment certainly delivered on that promise.
Speaking of cattle and beef, we also stocked up on some excellent biltong from the well-known Van Zyl’s Biltong store at Northridge Shopping Centre on the outskirts of Bloemfontein. Both the biltong and the dried wors were outstanding.
Although the traffic was fairly heavy—especially commercial vehicles heading towards Johannesburg—and despite encountering some poorly behaved drivers (including overtaking on the left, trailers and all), the drive went smoothly overall. Being on the road again might seem mundane to some, but I hadn’t travelled this route in over two years and hadn’t done any long-distance driving in quite some time. It was the perfect opportunity to slow down, soak up the scenery, and be reminded of just how beautiful the Highveld countryside really is.
