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 Cape Town, marking the start of your self-drive Garden Route adventure.”

The rest of the day is yours to settle in and unwind, start exploring the city, or head to Clifton and Camps Bay for a walk along the beach and a sundowner while enjoying the beautiful coastal scenery.

You spend your first night at the Cape Diem Lodge.

Cape Town is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, combining a spectacular natural setting with fascinating history and a vibrant cultural scene. Historic architecture, museums, beautiful beaches and the iconic Table Mountain provide plenty to discover.

You have two full days to explore the city and its surroundings. Take the cableway up Table Mountain or hike up Lion’s Head, join a sightseeing bus tour, stroll through the V&A Waterfront or visit the colourful Greenmarket Square.

Other highlights include Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Robben Island, the beaches of Camps Bay and Blouberg, and the spectacular Cape Peninsula with Cape Point. Alternatively, simply find a cosy café or a shady spot in a park and watch everyday life go by.

You spend two more nights at the Cape Diem Lodge.

If you haven’t visited Cape Point on one of the previous days, you can take a scenic detour via the Cape Peninsula on your way to Stellenbosch. Alternatively, take the more direct route to the beautiful town of Stellenbosch in the heart of the Cape Winelands.

Today’s drive is relatively short, leaving you plenty of time to start exploring. Surrounded by mountains and picturesque vineyards, Stellenbosch is one of South Africa’s best-known wine regions.

Spend the rest of today and the following day exploring the historic streets and buildings of Stellenbosch on foot, or visit some of the many wine estates in the area for a tasting. An excursion to nearby Franschhoek, with its charming town centre and beautiful vineyards, is another option.

If you prefer to be more active, several nature reserves around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek offer scenic hiking trails and a chance to enjoy the beautiful surroundings on foot.

Your base for the next two nights is Oude Werf Hotel in the heart of historic Stellenbosch.

After breakfast, you leave Stellenbosch behind and travel east towards Gordon’s Bay before following the picturesque coastal road along False Bay. Stop at Betty’s Bay to visit the African penguin colony at Stony Point and watch these entertaining birds go about their daily activities.

Today’s destination is the former fishing village of Hermanus, beautifully situated on the shores of Walker Bay. Between June and November, the bay is one of South Africa’s best places for whale watching, when southern right whales visit the coastline. Look out for the tell-tale sprays of water as the whales surface to breathe. Outside the whale season, the area offers beautiful coastal walks and hiking opportunities in the surrounding nature reserves.

A visit to the nearby Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is also highly recommended. This scenic valley is home to excellent wine estates and makes a wonderful addition to your stay in Hermanus.

For the next two nights, you stay at Bamboo Guest House.

Today, your journey takes you away from the coast and into the interior. If you don’t mind a detour of approximately 100 km and 1.5 hours, you can travel via Cape Agulhas and visit the southernmost point of the African continent. Whichever route you choose, a stop in the charming town of Swellendam is recommended. Take a stroll through its historic centre, admire the Cape Dutch and Victorian architecture, or simply stop for a coffee before continuing along scenic Route 62 via Barrydale and Ladismith into the Little Karoo.

Oudtshoorn is best known for its ostrich farms and the impressive Cango Caves, which are well worth exploring. You can also drive across the spectacular Swartberg Pass to the charming village of Prince Albert, situated on the other side of the mountains.

You spend two nights at Thabile Lodge outside Oudtshoorn, where you can look forward to warm hospitality and excellent food.

After two days inland, you return to the coast on this self-drive Garden Route journey. Crossing the Outeniqua Mountains, you make your way towards the heart of the Garden Route. Your destination is Plettenberg Bay, a charming seaside town near the Robberg Peninsula, known for its lively town centre and award-winning beaches.

Along the way, we suggest stopping in Knysna to enjoy the sweeping views from one of the Knysna Heads, stroll along the waterfront or perhaps join a boat cruise on the lagoon.

From Plettenberg Bay, you can explore the scenic Robberg Nature Reserve on foot or take a day trip to the famous Tsitsikamma National Park, a paradise for bird enthusiasts, hikers and anyone who enjoys dramatic coastal scenery.

Your accommodation for the next two nights is Southern Cross Beach House, a stone’s throw away from the beach.

It’s time for safari! Today, you travel via Jeffreys Bay and Port Elizabeth to Kariega Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape. The more than 10,000-hectare reserve is home to the Big Five – elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo – as well as many other animals, including zebras, giraffes and various antelope species.

In the mornings and afternoons, you explore the reserve on game drives in open safari vehicles, accompanied by an experienced guide with excellent knowledge of the area. Look out for the different animals that inhabit the reserve – no two game drives are ever the same, and an exciting wildlife encounter could be waiting around every corner.

One of your morning game drives can also be combined with a cruise on the Kariega River, offering the chance to spot a variety of birds as well as animals coming to the river to drink.

Between safari activities, there is time to relax at the lodge and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. In the evenings, round off an eventful day with a delicious dinner.

Ukhozi Lodge is your home for the next two nights, where you stay in a Luxury Suite surrounded by the African bush.

Enjoy one final morning safari activity followed by a hearty breakfast at the lodge. Afterwards, it’s time to leave the African bush behind and make your way to Port Elizabeth. At the airport, you return your rental car before starting your journey home or continuing with your onward travels.

With many wonderful memories and experiences from your self-drive Garden Route journey to take with you, it’s time to say goodbye to South Africa.