Car rental round trip South Africa: Garden Route, Winelands &Cape Town

Day 1: Cape Town

Cape Town (approx. 22 km/00:20 h)

During the day - depending on the flight connection booked - you will reach Cape Town, the dream city between two oceans. After arrival, pick up your booked rental car and drive to your booked accommodation. Relax for the rest of the day, go for a walk and take in the first impressions. Enjoy the (usually) wonderful weather and end the day in one of the many excellent restaurants with good food and an excellent 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 good way to explore Cape Town on your own is to take a sightseeing tour with the Hop On Hop Off bus, for example. This gives you a very good overview of the city, you can get off wherever you like and stay as long as you want. A drive up Table Mountain is also an absolute must! The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, there is so much to experience!

Day 3: Cape Town

Cape Town

Today would be a good day for a trip to the Cape Peninsula. There is much more to see here than the world-famous Cape of Good Hope. An unforgettable experience is waiting for you: spectacular coasts with steep cliffs and endless beaches, one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world, unique flora and fauna (only here you can swim with penguins) and of course the wave-sweeping cape. Set off early, you'll need time!

Day 4: Cape Town

Cape Town

Another day in this wonderful city. Enjoy the wonderful surroundings, the food, the friendly people and the sea! Today would be a good day for a trip to the Cape Peninsula. There is much more to see here than the world-famous Cape of Good Hope. An unforgettable experience is waiting for you: spectacular coasts with steep cliffs and endless beaches, one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world, unique flora and fauna (only here you can swim with penguins) and of course the wave-sweeping cape. Set off early, you'll need time!

Day 5: Franschhoek

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

This morning, you are leaving Cape Town for Winelands. We recommend a short trip to Table View to take a typical Cape Town photo from the beach. That is THE calendar picture! We continue to Stellenbosch, a charming university town surrounded by vineyards. The destination today is Franschhoek, the highlight of the Cape Winelands. Park the car and go taste some wine. In the evening, visit one of the world class restaurants, which are absolutely affordable here. Our recommendation: Reuben Riffel's restaurant. If possible, you should reserve a table from Germany. We are very happy to do that for you!

Day 6: Franschhoek

Franschhoek

Enjoy a free day in Franschhoek! The best way to do this is to let yourself be taken from winery to winery and visit the beautiful estates and taste the delicious wine. The Wine Tram is very suitable here. It takes you comfortably from good to good and you don't have to drive yourself. Alternatively, you can of course also take wonderful hikes in the valley or stroll through the busy streets and shop.

Day 7: Hermanus

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

In the morning, we continue across the Franschhoek Pass towards Villiersdorp, a picturesque small town that is the center of fruit growing (Cape of Good Fruit!). Everything really grows here. At Theewaterskloof See, there would be opportunities to hike and watch birds. We continue to Hermanus, the capital of whale watching. From September to December, southern capers give birth to their young here. Very often, you can watch the animals up close and personal from the cliffs. But even outside of whale season, Hermanus is a wonderful spot on earth! Depending on the time available, you can explore the Klein River Lagoon, go on an adventure with great white sharks in Gansbaai or simply relax in Hermanus. There are also highly recommended restaurants here!

Day 8: Hermanus

Hermanus

You'll spend the day in one of the most interesting places on Earth watching the fascinating life in the open sea. Not only the whales, some of which live here all year round and some only seasonally, are a highlight, the area is also known for great white sharks. Neighboring Van Dyks Bay is one of the world's best places to get up close and personal with these huge predators. Various companies have specialized in bringing these fascinating creatures closer to tourists and at the same time fighting for their protection. Only through knowledge and understanding of predators can you alleviate people's fear and protect these magnificent animals. We recommend that you experience this fascinating adventure consciously and also experience the adrenaline rush of seeing these big sharks face to face in a cage.

Day 9: Gondwana Game Reserve

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

In the morning, you leave the coast and head inland again. You will pass through the picturesque town of Swellendam, which is one of the oldest cities in South Africa. On the N2, it quickly continues east, where you turn off just before Mossel Bay to your destination today, the Gondwana Game Reserve. In the afternoon, you can take part in the first activities, such as starting your first game drive in an open safari vehicle.

Day 10: Gondwana Game Reserve

Gondwana Game Reserve

It's time to get up very early today! You will be woken up before sunrise. After a cup of coffee and typical South African “rusks” (hard pastries), drive deep into the bush on the open-top off-road vehicle. There is a lot going on here at this time, the nocturnal animals return, the diurnal animals come out of hiding. In the light of the rising sun, the bush shines in wonderful light, a paradise for photographers! After the game drive, it's back to your lodge, where a hearty breakfast is already waiting for you. Afterwards, you'll have time to relax by the pool, read or maybe catch up on some sleep. But there is always something to see: thirsty animals come to the lodge's own watering hole, colorful birds drink in the pool and small antelopes roam around the accommodation and enjoy the safety of being close to people. After lunch and often a “high tea”, it's back on a game drive in the afternoon, only interrupted by a sundowner in the bush. From now on, you also have the opportunity to observe nocturnal animals. Equipped with powerful spotlights, you can search for the many animals that are not visible during the day. An exciting day comes to an end with a good dinner and a drink or two at the bar.

Day 11: Knysna

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

Today, you will now reach the actual Garden Route and thus the Indian Ocean. At Mossel Bay, you'll meet the coast and get a first impression. The water here is already significantly warmer than in Cape Town and maybe you want to take a refreshing swim after the exciting days in the bush? First, always along the ocean, it goes through Klein and Groot Brakrivier to George, the regional center. It continues via Sedgefield to Knysna, located on the lagoon of the same name.

Day 12: Knysna

Knysna

With Knysna, you have an excellent base for tours in the surrounding area. A trip to Tsitsikamma National Park with its many attractions (for example: Natures Valley, Bloukrans Bridge and of course the world-famous trees) is absolutely worth seeing. But our personal highlight is Stormsriver Mouth! Take some time and hike across suspension bridges and take a boat trip into the gorge. Preferably with a guided canoe tour. That is absolutely unique! Plettenberg Bay has wonderful beaches and a great lagoon. At low tide, you can also wade to the opposite side. The lake side often has great surf and bodysurfing is popular! But of course Knysna also has a lot to offer. Don't miss out on a visit to the Heads, the lagoon's narrow and wave-sweeping breakthrough to the ocean. The most impressive is the passage with a catamaran. Not surprisingly, there are a number of excellent restaurants in Knysna. In particular, the oysters grown here are a worthwhile culinary treat.

Day 13: Oudtshoorn

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

Through countless serpentines and through partly densely green rainforests, you leave the subtropical coastal plain and enter a completely different world. On the back of the mountains, it suddenly becomes dry and lonely. Welcome to Little Karoo! Your destination today is the ostrich city of Oudtshoorn. Be sure to visit one of the many ostrich farms and learn more about the biggest birds in the world. The Cango Caves are also an absolute highlight of the region.

Day 14: End of trip

Cape Town

When you arrive at Cape Town Airport, drop off your rental car. If you have not booked a connection program, your vacation is unfortunately already over again. We are sure that you have experienced a lot and made unforgettable impressions. Your car rental round trip Garden Route will certainly be fondly remembered.

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