South Africa and the Garden Route

After landing at Cape Town International Airport, you collect your rental car and drive to your accommodation in the heart of historic Cape Town. Your self-drive Garden Route tour has begun.

You can then unwind, explore the city, or go for a walk along the shores of Clifton and Camps Bay for a sundowner.

Your first overnight stay will be at the Rosedene Guest House.

Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and it is often compared to San Francisco.

Historical architecture, museums, Table Mountain and its forested slopes, the beautiful beaches and fresh air enchant adventure seekers and cultural buffs.

You have two days to explore Table Mountain, walk up Lion’s Head, hop onto a red open-top sightseeing bus, stroll through the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront or Greenmarket Square. Also visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Robben Island, the beaches of Blouberg or Camps Bay and Cape Point. Or sit in a coffee shop or park and watch the locals.

You will spend two more nights at the Rosedene Guest House.

After breakfast, you leave the Mother City behind and take a drive in an easterly direction via Gordon’s Bay and along a picturesque coastal road.

Stop at Betty’s Bay and watch the penguins at Stoney Point as they go about their daily activities.

Today’s destination is the former fishing village of Hermanus, on the shores of Walker Bay.

The bay is South Africa’s whale hotspot between June and November when the southern right whales visit the shores. Look for the fountains of spray emitted from whales as they surface to breathe.

Outside the whale season, the region offers spectacular walks along the coast and into the nearby forests.

A visit to the nearby Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is also highly recommended. Known for its lesser-known yet equally stunning wineries, this area offers a unique and spectacular experience.

You will spend two nights at the Bamboo Guest House.

You continue your Garden Route self-drive tour along the N2 via Mossel Bay and George and travel to Wilderness, a quaint little town between the ocean and a lagoon. The beach is safe and perfect for long walks and swims.

Explore the Wilderness National Park – go rowing, hiking, swimming or birdwatching.

You will stay for two nights at the Mes Amis Beach Guesthouse.

Today you will drive through Knysna, a historical town associated with the wood industry and oyster farming. Stop for lunch here or at a farm stall along the way.

After Plettenberg Bay, you drive along the picturesque R102 to the small village of Nature’s Valley.

This village lies on the shores of the Indian Ocean and is flanked by a beautiful lagoon and forested region, which offers numerous walks. The sandy beach is an excellent swim spot.

From here, you proceed to the Tsitsikamma National Park, a paradise for bird enthusiasts and lovers of dramatic coastlines.

Your home for the next two nights will be the Tsitsikamma Village Inn, just a few kilometres from the park.

Today, you continue east to the town of Addo and the Elephant House.

This lodge is the perfect base for you to explore the Addo Elephant National Park, as it’s just a short drive away from the main entrance gate.

In the afternoon and the next morning, you can drive into the national park and look out for the Addo elephants. You might also be lucky to spot lions as well as zebras, various antelopes, and many more.

After extensive game drives, you leave the park again and head back to your lodge.

You spend two nights at the Elephant House.

Driving along the scenic Route 62, you will pass the Langkloof towns of Humansdorp, Kareedouw and Joubertina.

Honeybush tea and fruit are grown in this very dry area irrigated by water flowing down from the surrounding mountains.

You then reach Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo. Visit an ostrich farm or the famous Cango Caves in the afternoon before you continue to the Thabile Lodge, your accommodation for tonight.

Today’s journey takes you further west along the Route 62 via Calitzdorp, Ladismith and Worcester.

Your destination is the town of Stellenbosch in the heart of South Africa’s most famous wine-growing district. The surrounding mountains create a dramatic backdrop to the beautiful vineyards.

The town and its historical streets and buildings can be explored on foot or you may want to join a wine tasting tour to sample the fruit of the winemakers’ labours.

You will overnight at the beautiful Wedgeview Country House on the outskirts of Stellenbosch.

Depending on your flight’s departure, there might be time in Stellenbosch for some last-minute shopping or lunch before returning your vehicle at the airport.

Your self-drive Garden Route tour has come to an end. Thank you for choosing us.