Self-drive tour South Africa: Garden Route, Winelands & Cape Town

Day 1: Cape Town

Cape Town (approx. 22 km / 20 min)

Depending on your flight, you will arrive in Cape Town, the dream city between two oceans, during the day. After arrival, pick up your rental car and drive to your accommodation. Relax for the rest of the day, go for a walk, and let your first impressions sink in. Enjoy the (usually) beautiful weather and end the day in one of the many excellent restaurants with a great meal and a fine bottle of local wine.

Day 2: Cape Town

Cape Town

A full day in Cape Town! There is so much to explore and do. What are you in the mood for? A great way to explore Cape Town on your own is, for example, a city tour on the hop-on hop-off bus. This gives you a great overview of the city, and you can hop off wherever you like and stay as long as you want. A trip up Table Mountain is also an absolute must! The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens—there is so much to experience!

Day 3: Cape Town

Cape Town

Today would be a great day for an excursion to the Cape Peninsula. There is far more to see here than just the world-famous Cape of Good Hope. An unforgettable experience awaits you: spectacular coastlines with steep cliffs and endless beaches, one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world, unique flora and fauna (this is the only place where you can swim with penguins), and, of course, the wave-lashed Cape itself. Set off early—you will need the time!

Day 4: Cape Town

Cape Town

Another day in this wonderful city. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings, the food, the friendly people, and the ocean! Today would be a great day for a trip to the Cape Peninsula. There is far more to see here than just the world-famous Cape of Good Hope. An unforgettable experience awaits you: spectacular coastlines with steep cliffs and endless beaches, one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world, unique flora and fauna (this is the only place where you can swim with penguins), and, of course, the wave-lashed Cape. Leave early—you’ll need the time!

Day 5: Franschhoek

Cape Town - Franschhoek (approx. 78 km / 1:06 h)

This morning, you will leave Cape Town and head toward the Winelands. We recommend a short detour to Table View to capture that classic Cape Town photo from the beach. It’s the quintessential postcard shot! Continue on to Stellenbosch, a charming university town surrounded by vineyards. Your destination today is Franschhoek, the highlight of the Cape Winelands. Park the car and go wine tasting. In the evening, you should visit one of the world-class restaurants here, which are surprisingly affordable. Our recommendation: Reuben Riffel’s restaurant. We suggest booking a table from home before you leave; we would be happy to take care of that for you!

Day 6: Franschhoek

Franschhoek

Enjoy a free day in Franschhoek! The best way to do this is to have yourself driven from winery to winery to visit the beautiful estates and sample the delicious wine. The Wine Tram is perfect for this; it takes you comfortably from estate to estate so you don't have to drive yourself. Alternatively, you can go for wonderful hikes in the valley or stroll through the lively streets and do some shopping.

Day 7: Hermanus

Franschhoek - Hermanus (approx. 103 km / 1:18 h)

In the morning, you will head over the Franschhoek Pass toward Villiersdorp, a picturesque small town that is the center of fruit growing (the Cape of Good Fruits!). Everything grows here. At Theewaterskloof Dam, there is an opportunity to hike and go birdwatching. Continue on to Hermanus, the whale-watching capital. From September to December, Southern Right whales come here to give birth to their calves. You can often observe these animals from the cliffs at very close range. But even outside of whale season, Hermanus is a beautiful spot! Depending on how much time you have, you can explore the Klein River Lagoon, experience an adventure with Great White sharks in Gansbaai, or simply relax and unwind in Hermanus. There are also some highly recommended restaurants here!

Day 8: Hermanus

Hermanus

You will spend the day in one of the most interesting places on Earth to observe the fascinating life of the open ocean. It’s not just the whales—some of which live here year-round, while others are seasonal—that are a highlight; the area is also known for its Great White sharks. Nearby Van Dyks Bay is one of the best places in the world to get up close to these massive predators. Various companies specialize in bringing tourists closer to these fascinating creatures while simultaneously fighting for their protection. Only through knowledge and understanding of these predators can we dispel people's fears and protect these magnificent animals. We recommend experiencing this fascinating adventure consciously and embracing the adrenaline rush of seeing these large sharks eye-to-eye from the safety of a cage.

Day 9: Gondwana Game Reserve

Hermanus - Gondwana Game Reserve (approx. 311 km / 3:28 h)

In the morning, you will leave the coast and head inland again. You will pass through the picturesque town of Swellendam, one of the oldest towns in South Africa. Continue quickly east along the N2, turning off just before Mossel Bay toward your destination for the day, the Gondwana Game Reserve. In the afternoon, you can already participate in your first activities, such as your first game drive in an open safari vehicle.

Day 10: Gondwana Game Reserve

Gondwana Game Reserve

Today, you’ll need to get up very early! You will be woken up before sunrise. After a coffee and some typical South African "rusks" (hard biscuits), you will head deep into the bush in an open 4x4. There is a lot of activity at this time: nocturnal animals are returning, and diurnal animals are emerging from their hiding spots. In the light of the rising sun, the bush glows in a wonderful light—a photographer's paradise! After the game drive, you will return to your lodge, where a hearty breakfast will be waiting for you. Afterward, you have time to relax by the pool, read, or perhaps catch up on some sleep. But there is always something to see: thirsty animals come to the lodge's own waterhole, colorful birds drink from the pool, and small antelopes roam around the accommodations, enjoying the safety of being near humans. After lunch and often a "high tea," you will head out on another game drive in the afternoon, interrupted only by a sundowner in the bush. From this point on, you also have the chance to observe nocturnal animals. Equipped with powerful spotlights, you will search for the many creatures that cannot be seen during the day. With a good dinner and a drink or two at the bar, an exciting day comes to an end.

Day 11: Knysna

Gondwana Game Reserve - Knysna (approx. 134 km / 1:43 h)

Today you reach the Garden Route proper and the Indian Ocean. You will meet the coast near Mossel Bay and get your first impression of the area. The water here is significantly warmer than in Cape Town, so perhaps you’ll want to take a refreshing dip after your exciting days in the bush? The route continues along the ocean through Klein and Groot Brakrivier to George, the regional hub. From there, you head on via Sedgefield to Knysna, situated on the lagoon of the same name.

Day 12: Knysna

Knysna

Knysna is an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area. A trip to Tsitsikamma National Park with its many attractions (such as Nature's Valley, Bloukrans Bridge, and, of course, the world-famous trees) is an absolute must. Our personal highlight, however, is Storms River Mouth! Take some time to hike across the suspension bridges and take a boat trip into the gorge—ideally on a guided canoe tour. It’s a truly unique experience! Plettenberg Bay boasts wonderful beaches and a fantastic lagoon. At low tide, you can even wade to the opposite side. The ocean side often has great surf, making it perfect for bodyboarding! Of course, Knysna itself has plenty to offer as well. Don't miss a visit to the Heads, the narrow, wave-lashed opening where the lagoon meets the ocean. The most impressive way to see them is by catamaran. Unsurprisingly, Knysna is home to a large number of excellent restaurants. The locally farmed oysters, in particular, are a culinary delight worth trying.

Day 13: Oudtshoorn

Knysna - Oudtshoorn (approx. 123 km / 1:49 h)

Winding through countless hairpin bends and dense green rainforests, you leave the subtropical coastal plain and enter an entirely different world. On the other side of the mountains, the landscape suddenly becomes dry and desolate. Welcome to the Little Karoo! Your destination today is the ostrich capital, Oudtshoorn. You should definitely visit one of the many ostrich farms to learn more about the world's largest birds. The Cango Caves are also an absolute highlight of the region.

Day 14: End of the trip

Cape Town

After arriving at Cape Town airport, you will return your rental car. If you have not booked an extension, your holiday has unfortunately come to an end. We are sure that you have experienced a great deal and gathered unforgettable impressions. Your Garden Route road trip will surely remain a fond memory.

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