ARRIVAL IN CAPE TOWN
During the day you reach Cape Town, the dream city between two oceans. Upon arrival, take over your booked rental car and drive to 'Africa's Greenest Hotel' near the airport. Here you can relax for the rest of the day and let the first impressions take effect on you. Enjoy the (mostly) wonderful weather and end the day with good food and an excellent bottle of local wine in one of the many outstanding restaurants. Cape Town's attractions are only 15 minutes drive away.
CAPE TOWN - HERMON (approx. 120 km / 2:20h)
Today we recommend that you discover South Africa on your own and at your own pace. Get closer to the people, because the first stage is only 2 hours long.
Drive through the city along Table Bay on the R27 northbound to Bloubergstrand, the first important spot on your journey. From here you have the world-famous view of the Table Mountain and can already take a first important picture for your very personal South Africa album.
Through the Parklands you drive towards Durbanville - a suburb of Cape Town of about 50.00 inhabitants which is characterised by vineyards and wheat fields. Durbanville Wine Valley is one of the oldest wine regions in the Cape comprising the wine-growing estates Diemersdal, Groot Phesantekraal, Meerendal, Nitida, Hillcrest, Altydgedacht, D'Aria, Bloemendal, Klein Boosboom, De Grendel and Durbanville Hills. From here, take the R312 towards Wellington where we recommend a detour to "NorSA Community Care".
The warm nature of Marietjie and her helpers, who have been looking after the children of Wellington for over 10 years, is wonderful. A great opportunity to get close to the people on site. (Please register at www.norsacommunitycare.org!) Afterwards we recommend a pizza or a good steak in the Val du Charron just 5 minutes outside of Wellington. With Cathy and her family you will surely be able to enjoy a good wine with it. Your destination today is the Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse near Hermon.
The Swartland
Today you should get closer to the nature around the Swartland region, as the Bartholomeus Klip is an exclusive destination in the Riebeek Valley. You can first discover them on the active sheep- and wheat farm in the Elandsberg Nature Reserve before you explore the wider surroundings of the nature reserve. Spectacular mountains and cultivated farmland in this approx. 10,000 hectare nature reserve offer a wide variety of activities - ideal conditions to let your everyday life behind and turn your trip into a relaxing tour.
For sporting activities, mountain bikes are available for tours through the reserve or along the country roads through the wheat fields. Moreover, you can go hiking, canoeing or kayaking on the dam's waterways.
And of course you can also visit the attractions of Riebeek Kasteel and Tulbagh, the aspiring wineries of Swartland or, further away, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.
HERMON - WORCESTER - BARRYDALE - ROUTE 62 - CALITZDORP - OUDTSHOORN (approx. 398 km / 4:45h)
Today's stage is a little longer - but very attractive! Get up early, because the way is the aim!
You drive through the little Karoo to Barrydale, a sleepy desert nest (all tourists stop here because 'Ronnies Sex Shop' doesn't offer anything disreputable!). Here you get to the famous Route 62 which continues through the small Karoo to Oudtshoorn, the capital of ostrich farming. You check in later at DeZeekoe Guest House and should book dinner and the 'early morning meerkat tour' in advance.
OUDTSHOORN
Today is a day of relaxation and recreation after the long drive the day before. Visit the famous Cango Caves or use the day for a guided tour on one of the many ostrich farms. Also the Wildlife Protection Center offers a chance to learn more about the cheetahs. Another opportunity for very brave and adventure loving people: diving with crocodiles.
OUDTSHOORN - PLETTENBERG BAY (approx. 205 km / 3:00h)
Today's route from the ostrich capital to the sea can be mastered in two ways:
Either you stay on the R62 and thus in the mountains until you turn off at Avontuur onto the R339 and then drive down towards the ocean to Prins Alfredpas through the Kammanassie Nature Reserve (Attention: Make sure you have enough water with you - in Avontuur there is a last gas station!) or you choose to driv the approximately 30 km shorter distance over George and Knysna which leads you to the sea a little earlier. Both routes have their charm.
As soon as you take the direct route on the N12 you leave the dry semi-desert of the small Karoo and cross the coastal mountains. You will experience the change of vegetation! Suddenly everything is green, subtropical rainforests stretch along the slopes of the mountains and everywhere it blooms in all colours. You will pass George and Wilderness, already located on the Indian Ocean. You could stop in Knysna, located at a large lagoon which is connected to the sea only by a narrow cut through the cliffs. Don't miss the Knysna Heads!
Just a short distance away, you can reach the area around Plettenberg Bay with its long beaches, excellent restaurants and many attractions. Your destination today is the Hog Hollow Country Lodge.
PLETTENBERG BAY
For the next two days you get a lot of rest. Explore Plettenberg Bay, the wonderful beaches or even just the many possibilities to admire and learn from animals. In The Crag you have the opportunity to get very close to the elephants or you try to learn from our direct relatives in Monkey Land.
PLETTENBERG BAY
Of course, the ocean also offers many possibilities to do sports. The sandy beaches of Central Beach and Lookout Beach offer wonderful waves for surfing. The Robberg Nature Reserve in the south is a rocky peninsula with hiking trails and the Nelson Bay Caves, caves from the Stone Age. In the north-east there is the "Birds of Eden" bird sanctuary where birds can fly freely in their native forest. During the time of the whale hikes, whales come close to the coast.
You can also use the day for a drive to Tsitsikamma National Park about 45 km east of your lodge. The spectacular Tsitsikamma National Park is known for its extensive rainforests with huge trees. Drive through the idyllically situated Nature's Valley to Stormsriver Mouth. There is a lot to see and experience here. Hike along the rugged coast to a waterfall, walk over footbridges and suspension bridges to the mouth of the Storms River and book a boat trip into the canyon. The best way is by canoe, with which you can paddle far into the spectacular gorge.
You should also stop at the Bloukrans bridge about 21 km halfway. Here you can do one of the deepest bungee jumps in the world - or just watch it.
PLETTENBERG BAY - SWELLENDAM (approx. 350 km / 4:00h)
After an extensive rest on the beach, you are back on the road today. Enjoy the view and the landscape that characterizes the Western Cape so wonderfully.
Mossel Bay, a town with about 100,000 inhabitants which was a sleepy harbour nest until the second half of the 20th century is situated on the route. In the summer months, Mossel Bay has become one of South Africa's most popular holiday resorts, offering its guests the second best climate in the world after Hawaii. As one of the few places on the Garden Route that are not shared by the N2, its visitors will find dreamy corners and many sights. Of particular note are the beautiful sandy beaches of Dana Bay and Little Brak River, which invite you to long walks.
Today's destination is the Jan Harmsgat Country House near Swellendam.
SWELLENDAM - CAPE AGULHAS - GANSBAAI - HERMANUS - BETTY'S BAY - SOMMERSET WEST - CAPE TOWN (approx. 400 km / 5:30h)
Today you should leave early to experience the beauty of the coast and the many spots as far as Cape Town. It starts in Swellendam where the early morning allows a city walk. Drive along the coast to the southernmost point of Africa - Cape Agulhas - from where you head northwest towards Cape Town. Beautiful spots can be found in Gansbaai - Hermanus (the whale capital, where you - if you have a little luck - can see the animals from the coast. The best observation month is November.) - Betty's Bay - Gordon's Bay.
Your destination in Cape Town is Hollow on Square.
CAPE TOWN
A whole day in Cape Town! There is so much to explore and do. What do you fancy? A good way to explore Cape Town on your own is - for example - a city tour with the "Hop On - Hop Off" bus. In this way you get a very good overview of the city, can get off wherever you like and stay as long as you want to. An ascent to Table Mountain is also an absolute must! Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, there is so much to experience!
Or how about a "High-Tea" in the afternoon on the roof terrace of the modern "The Silo Hotel" at the Waterfront? With a 360° view you can fully enjoy a tea (please make a reservation in advance!).
And don't forget: Robben Island is a must-see, as well!
Upon your arrival at Cape Town airport, return your rental car. If you have not booked a follow-up programme, your holiday is already over. We are sure that you have experienced a lot and collected unforgettable impressions.
