Travelling to South Africa

South Africa can be reached by bus from countries like Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Swaziland. Interscape Mainliner operates buses between Johannesburg and Gaborone (Botswana).

Buses operating between Maseru (Lesotho) and Bloemfontein via Botshabelo are operated by Big Sky Coaches. Baz Bus links Manzini (Swaziland) to Johannesburg via Nelspruit, and to Durban.

Several luxury buses run between Johannesburg and Maputo (Mozambique) via Nelspruit and Komatipoort under the operation of companies like Greyhound, Intercape Mainliner, Panthera Azul and Translux.

Panthera Azul also connects Durban and Maputo (Mozambique). Buses for Windhoek (Namibia) are operated by Intercape Mainliner from Johannesburg and Cape Town via Upington.

Various bus companies operating coaches within the country connect major cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and others. The major companies operating buses in South Africa are Greyhound, Intercape Mainliner, Translux and SA Roadlink. Other smaller companies with relatively lesser services include City to City, City Bug and Lowveld Link.

Another alternative is Baz Bus, which offers regular hop-on-hop-off service on some of the most popular scenic routes like Cape Town-Garden Route-Durban, Durban-Swaziland-Johannesburg and Durban-Drakensberg-Johannesburg. Baz Bus also operates a loop service from Durban to Johannesburg via Zululand and Swaziland that passes close to Kruger National Park.

Bus stations handling regional as well as international coaches are located in most major cities including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Bus stations serving cities like Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, Komatipoort, Upington, Drakensberg and Zululand also serve the country coaches.

Fares for domestic buses are relatively economical, but can hike during school holidays. All bus lines, operating within the country also offer discounts for students, senior citizens and backpackers (Interscape only).

The tourist travel passes offered by different bus companies often save up to 40%. Baz Bus services are much more economical compared to others like Interscape Mainliner, Greyhound and others.