While highways are often touted as the shortest route between two locations, that is not true of Route 62. This scenic route, meanders through country towns, farming areas, lush orchards and vineyards. Along the way there is beauty, history, and wildlife. Magnificent landscapes boasting arid semi-desert areas, crystal clear streams, nearly impenetrable forests, indigenous flora, stark mountains, and towering cliffs are all part of the tapestry through which Route 62 weaves its way.

But it’s not just visual delights which await the adventurous traveler. From Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, you can enjoy visits to wineries and game reserves, tribal art, cultural tours, and museums. If you need something more energetic and for the more adventurous you can scramble over hiking trails and mountains, bound over 4×4 routes, paddle along some of the rivers for canoeing in the country. Then there’s horse riding, ostrich farms, fishing and even spelunking (caving).

If that sounds too energetic there are unique small-town shops, restaurants, art galleries, tribal art, hot-springs, and museums which add depth and flavour to this creative, history-rich route.

It may seem as if the towns and small villages on Route 62 have been in hibernation for more than 40 years, like South African ‘Brigadoons’, they are wonderfully preserved. Situated in rich farming country, you will pass through towns such as Montagu with its thermal baths and fruit trees, popular hiking tows such as the historic Barrydale and Ladysmith, or former mission stations such as Zoar and Amalienstein and Calitzdorp, the centre of the South African Port wine production, and Oudtshoorn, South Africa’s Ostrich breeding capital. If you have to get lost between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth where better than the valley of wine and roses – Robertson.

Physically, Route 62 is shorter than the N2 highway, but it’s so beautiful and interesting that when you reach your destination, you may decide to turn around and do it all again.